Last summer, I went to a camp in Jackman, Maine. This place was in the middle of nowhere. Like the camp wasn't actually in Jackman, that was just the nearest post office, so it was really the middle-of-nowhere. No cell phones allowed during the camp sessions, and the only way to contact me was to write a letter. On actual paper (complete shocker). The experience was super tough and I was far away from home surrounded by strangers, but it did get easier and I learned a few things (and maybe even liked it).

I could focus on everything much more easily. I found myself being able to focus on people without wondering if someone responded to my message, or liked my photo. When you have one on one conversations without the lingering thought of your phone, it is way easier to make a connection with people. I still had those mini "oh-frick-why-isn't-my-phone-in-my-pocket" heart attacks, but they stopped being frequent and eventually I almost forgot about not having a phone.

I learned that not everything needs to be documented on social media. Sure, it genuinely seems natural to post a cool picture of you and your friends, or a sick snapshot of you wakeboarding, or a beautiful photo you captured of the sunrise, but you don't need to and it's not necessary. The longer I was without my phone the less I thought of taking photos of useless things such as my super aesthetic breakfast. There were “I'm totally posting this when I get home” pictures, but they weren't consuming my thoughts. and I honestly didn't feel like any less of a person not posting anything.

I also didn't miss my phone as much as I thought I would. At first, I was stressing because I couldn't send texts to my friends or I was missing out on new trends, but after a few days, I stopped caring. I still missed my friends, but the uncontrollable need to text everyone 24/7 didn't consume me anymore. The knowledge that when I got my phone back I could totally check in on those trends that I missed or listen to that new song (probably old to everyone else now). I knew that without my phone I had a chance to live in the moment.

Everything was more meaningful without my phone. I thought I wouldn't be as connected to others around me because I relied on it so much, but I was very quickly proved wrong. Yes, you can have many meaningful conversations with people over text, but there's an entirely different feeling to a conversation when it's one on one, and face to face. It was a little hard to get used to because I am incredibly socially awkward, but after a few days, I got the hang of it. It became easier to express my opinions and beliefs, and I made new bonds with people and made relationships stronger with people I had already known. It became easier to trust people when there wasn't technology in the way because you could see their reactions to what you were saying. There isn't a way they can hide things from you. So many wonderful memories were made and none of them had to do with technology.

It's easier to go to sleep. I found it easier to go to bed on time without the thought of missing a message or the need to post something racing in my mind. I went to bed with the sun on some nights, on others my friends and I sat on the porch until we laughed ourselves to sleep after the counselors telling us to not be so loud. Instead of my mind racing with negative things, I saw that day that I am able to go to sleep thinking about things that I saw happen or good conversations. I could dream about much more positive things.

I am going back to camp this summer and I'm not even worried about what it will be like without my phone because I know it will be a positive experience. Everyone is so supportive and understanding that if I have a hard time communicating with them at first they won't be upset.

If you are thinking about going phone-free for some time, I highly suggest it, because your relationship with others around you changes in a positive way, and it's a real stress reliever.

Although this experience was based off of camp, I do know it will be a positive change to your life no matter the circumstance. You could make a goal of how many days or weeks you want to be cell-free. If a month is too much, try to go a couple days or a week and work your way up to a higher goal. Just surround yourself with your friends and you'll be OK.