Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: this is just another story of how someone lost their phone and somehow found their soul or inner-self without the distraction of technology. This isn’t one of those stories, so keep reading.
October 30th, 2016
Pembroke Pointe Apartment Homes
Pembroke, North Carolina
One day before my favorite holiday, my phone decided that it didn’t want to turn on anymore. My phone literally died and went to Heaven. I may or may not have seen its soul rise out above the screen and disappear through the ceiling. As I contemplated to myself how completely and utterly unprepared I was for this event, I quickly got up and traveled to the nearest Verizon store.
Later that day
Verizon Wireless
Lumberton, North Carolina
Apparently my two-year-old iPhone was under warranty still so they put in an order for a replacement and to be delivered by Tuesday, November 1st, which left me phone-less for two full days. I exited the store, got in my car and sat there for a minute, staring at the faint scratch on my steering wheel next to the engraved Toyota emblem. I sat there thinking, “How will I navigate myself? How will I stay in contact with my coaches and athletes? How will I set alarms to wake myself every morning? How will I stay in contact with anyone?” Needless to say, my mind began to enter panic mode. I had no idea how any of these things will happen. As I drove home, thankful I could remember the way back, I continued to pour gasoline on my fire of thoughts.
Later that night
Pembroke Pointe Apartment Homes
Pembroke, North Carolina
After I got home I remembered that my laptop and phone are synced together and I was able to iMessage through my MacBook. That at least helped cool my emotions down, much like iced sweet tea on a hot summers’ day. As I planned out the next two days in my head, I began to relax. I laid my head down on my pillow and drifted into the following day, October 31st.
October 31st, 2016
Pembroke Pointe Apartment Homes
Pembroke, North Carolina
As I did my morning routine of boiling water for tea, feeding and petting Guinness Sunflower, dressing and packing my lunch and bag for the day, I checked my laptop for texts. I had received a few from people I keep up with on a regular basis but nothing too out of the ordinary. I got in my car and proceeded to get ready to plug my phone into the auxiliary jack and play some Grateful Dead during the drive to work. Only to realize I didn’t have a phone to do such a thing. At that moment I was a bit upset, even let down a little. But I tried my best to make up for it, so I rolled my windows down and drove to work.
Later that same day
UNC Pembroke
Pembroke, North Carolina
My workday was pretty usual. I typically have my computer with me anyways so staying in touch was pretty easy. However, every time I left to go somewhere I felt like I was forgetting something. The only time I was pretty frustrated was when I stepped away from my desk and had to roam around, unable to be reached.
November 1st, 2016
Pembroke Pointe Apartment Homes
Pembroke, North Carolina
I woke up and again did my morning routine. I was well-rested and feeling pretty good. As I got in my car ready to travel to work, I immediately rolled the window down and pushed out of my parking spot. I listened to the wind, smelled the air, heard the birds and trees rustling as I turned down Howard St. I noticed the sun and how it glares through the trees and houses along the sidewalk. As I was turning in to UNCP, a train was crossing which is a very natural occurrence in Pembroke. I sat with my window open, tea in hand, and watched the train. I studied the edges of the carts, the rust built up onto the sides, the colorful graffiti, and listened to the train whistle as it swiftly passed me.
In that moment I realized that technology overtakes the part of your mind and soul that craves that natural connection with the world around us. It numbs the senses and brings out the lack of communicative power, instead of strengthening it. Sure, it is a good way to connect with people far away but what about social media, unwanted emails, group texts, unnecessary “bings” and “beeps” etc.? These are all things that we have learned to be addicted to. I learned that putting that phone down for just a little bit allows you to connect on an entirely different level. Being connected to nature and all it has to offer is one of the greatest things a human of this earth can do. And with that said, I will make sure that I take advantage of what I have learned and put my phone down more often, in order to really get connected.
