There's a stigma that millennials and a majority of youth can't go a day, an hour, or minutes without using technology. But, is this true? For some, it is, yet that is just a fraction of all of us combined. We aren't obsessed with our phones rather we want to see what is occurring around us, with friends and family, and the world. The judgement most of us face describes it as an addiction however I see it as a passion for something that I like. Yes, there are times where it becomes too much (while driving, during conversations, impairing a true experience) and I hope everyone understands that there is a line between appropriate and inappropriate times. If someone loves to write endlessly and for hours, it's a passion -- using phones to express ourselves and do what we're interested in is considered as an obsession. Again, I am speaking for a majority that are misunderstood.

I know that I can go without my phone/technology for hours, but sometimes the idea of not having it for days scares me. I like to keep in touch with friends and current events as well as receive other information. What put me to the test was my weekend in Vermont with my best friend's family. My phone is experiencing troubles in which it can only connect to any wi-fi spots if it is very close to the modem or connection outlet. On top of this, I ran out of data 10 days before my cycle renews.

So, I only had wi-fi for certain moments (we were only in the room with the modem for several hours all together throughout the whole day) and could not use any internet/data anywhere we went. This meant that I couldn't text my friends with iMessage or send a photo of my scenic view to my Snapchat story.

If I'm being sappy, there were some moments of this trip that I might not have experienced to the fullest if I had data on my phone. Though I did use my phone occasionally to take some photos or text my mom, I rarely took it out of my back pocket. Parts of this weekend in Vermont can still be replayed in my mind vividly.

Climbing Bromley Mountain

I am not a hiking person, especially when I have uncomfortable clothes, the sun beating down on you, a steep incline or a combination of all three. Funny enough, while hiking up Bromley, we experienced that. In addition, my friend didn't inform us about a trail that was an easier hike and instead had us trek up the mountain on the track that skiers and snowboarders use during the winter. Imagine that instead of using the ski-lift, you hiked under it all the way up.

If I had data or was inclined to use my phone, finishing this intense hike would have taken so much longer. I would have been easily distracted or been discouraged from climbing up. Instead, I was accompanied by my thoughts (which were mostly of miserable content) and my chest heaving for more air than I could inhale.

But, in about an hour or less, I made it to our destination! I through myself on the ground against a tree trunk in the shade and just smiled. I didn't tweet or send snaps about my experience - or even text my mom! I felt proud of my exhausting hike and I did it on my own and I didn't give up. It really helped my headspace and overall mindset. However, it did not eliminate my hatred for hikes with inclines.

Having time to read a book

Since I've been at school for most of the last eight months, I haven't had time to read a book that I was really interested in. I spent countless hours reading books required for class and content from textbooks. When I finished my freshman year, I wasn't ready to read as I just made my eyes strain with months of analyzation. In addition, I didn't have time to read as I was catching up on sleep, spending time with friends and family, or being on my phone.

In Vermont, I either had no data or had to stay in a particular room in order to get wi-fi. This was fine since everyone mostly spent their time there when relaxing, but it was repetitive at times, especially when you realize everyone else is on their phones and you are getting bored with yours. At this point, I had only one other option: to read the book I brought with me (Aztec by Gary Jennings). If I had data or the inclination to use my phone, I wouldn't have gotten as far as I did.

Using my eyes to see rather than through my phone

A few years ago, I couldn't experience something without using my phone to show it to others. At some of the concerts I went to, I can remember recording everything in hopes that people would see I was enjoying great music, yet I can't even remember what it sounded like or if I had a truly good time.

Since I didn't have immediate access to Snapchat, I simply absorbed the surrounding atmosphere. I hiked a mountain and a trail, explored a cave, enjoyed time in the popular town, and connected with those I was with for the weekend.

One of the best times I had was exploring this huge cave in Dorset that was full of graffiti, falling water, amazing scenery, etc. These were things I could not document and experiences I could only keep with the ability of my eyes. Instead of showing all of my followers that the cavern of water inside the cave was ice, we gasped in awe and through rocks on it (while wondering what the temperature was just a mere yard or two away from us).

I will always think: how would I have remembered this trip if I used my phone as much as I usually did beforehand?

A future being affected

The week following coming home from Vermont was relatively normal for me, yet I felt something off. Though I used my phone frequently, I saw that my reliance on the device was not as much as it was the week prior. Instead of us being attached at the hip, I considered us as close friends now.

I know I won't change my habits as drastically as those who judge wish I would, but I now look at my technological attachment as something I can fix and lessen. I will explore and take in my surroundings. I will go to concerts and just listen.

And wow, all of this happened because I went to Vermont without data.