A few weekends ago, I went camping with a bunch of friends. After the first day or two, our phones died. We were forced to live without technology for 3-5 days. Although it might have seemed scary, we still managed to eat, communicate, and come back to our tents after each day was done. After spending a fun-filled weekend camping, I’ve grown to realize something: Life is better without technology. Here are some reasons why:

1. Technology is a distraction

Let’s start off with a pretty obvious fact: Technology is a distraction. Every time one gets bored, one pulls out his or her phone and goes on the Internet. A phone has pretty much everything you can think of in one counsel. It has the Internet, contacts, games, and much more. It’s no wonder why people go on it when there’s nothing else to do. Technology distracts us from when we are bored; when we do not want to be confronted with something in real life (like avoiding someone when running into that person); and when we want to escape reality.

2. You find more things to do

Camping taught me that technology, indeed, is a distraction. Once our phones died, we had no choice but to interact with each other, face-to-face. At first, it was frustrating to lose our phones. We have been so used to checking a multitude of apps each day. But as time went on, the more we realized how much we valued and appreciated face-to-face communication. It felt like we were living in the 90’s again. We could walk down to different camp areas and socialize with a bunch of strangers. Since they didn’t have their phones, they couldn’t pull them out to avoid talking to us. It was really nice.

3. You can communicate better

Clearly, without phones and technology, we can communicate better. As society, we have forgotten what it means to truly communicate with one another. Phones and other forms of technology serve to be nothing more but a distraction. We could be trying, or even pretending, to listen in on a conversation, but once we hear our phones beep, we have to check them. And then our real-life conversation that we were just having is over. It’s disappointing when phones get in the way with real-life conversations that you have. But without phones, the conversations flow more smoothly and better. You will have nothing to distract you and the person or people who you’re communicating to will have no choice but to give you your full, undivided attention. That’s when you know a conversation will go well: It’s mutable and goes both ways.

4. You can enjoy life more

It’s funny what happens when you rid yourself from technology-- whether it be for an hour, day, or a week, life becomes so much better. You can enjoy more outdoor and indoor activities. Remember good ol’ hiking and playing cards with friends? You can learn to relive those activities as well as so much more without technology in the way. You can also be more aware of the people who surround you and get involved with situations you feel are right-- like standing up for people, friends, and events.

5. You can see and understand things clearly

Without technology, I believe you can see and understand things clearly. You become more aware of what’s around you and everything that surrounds you-- people, places, objects, events, and other things. You will have a better perception of the people and the world around you, too. Sometimes, technology brainwashes us into believing certain things. But once we take a step back from technology, we can learn to think for ourselves and obtain a better understanding of who we are, as people, and who other people are that surround us.

I am not saying that one-hundred percent of technology is bad. In fact, I believe technology to be amazing and a blessing. It can teach us and inform us so much about the world around us. However, as with everything in life, we must learn that everything is good only in moderation. So during the times in which you need to use technology, feel free to take out your phone; open your laptop/tabloid; browse the Internet-- you have a realm of knowledge that awaits you in your hand. But also, when it comes to the humanistic realms of nature, you must also learn to take a step back from technology and learn to live and love life as it is.