For two days, I had almost no cell phone service. I was spending the weekend at camp - putting up tents, tying lots of knots, cleaning kitchens, fishing, and sitting around a campfire - and there was almost no cell service.
My phone is my lifeline. I get all my news as notifications on my phone. It's how I stay in contact with my family, with my friends, everything. I listen to music almost constantly. I thought I would miss my phone more than anything in the world.
When the time finally came, the little text popped up in the left-hand corner of my phone screen.
"No service."
"This is where it begins," I thought, putting my phone into my bag. "I hope the world doesn't burn down when I'm out of service."
Immediately, we were put to work. Time to start putting on the sunscreen and bug spray - and of course, time to leave my phone in my bunk.
Instantly, I forgot about my phone. I was constantly running up and down throughout the camp and hardly had a moment to think about how much I missed it.
When I was working, I spent my time chatting with the people around me, learning more about them, and what their camp experience was like (or asking how the heck to tie up a tent because I had zero idea).
In a normal world I would've had my headphone in my ears, listening to whatever music I saw fit for that moment. I would've had my phone in my back pocket, constantly reminding me that I should be checking it.
In my free moments, I sat and enjoyed the world around me. Even sitting on the dock looking out at the water was peaceful. There was no phone vibrating in my back pocket, reminding me of something I had to accomplish, or someone I had to reply to.
At the end of the day when I got back to my bunk, I was surprised to see my phone sitting on my pillow. In all honesty, I had completely forgotten about it. Out of habit, I clicked the power button, hoping against hope that I would see service bars in the upper left-hand corner. Every time, I was disappointed.
It was the moments when I had my phone with me that I truly started to miss it. When I had to get out and start working again, it was as if it never existed.
Sure, I missed my phone that weekend - anyone would. It's a major thing to stop using. Since that weekend, I've tried to put my phone down more. I don't need it attached to my hand 24 hours of the day. I don't need to be listening to music in every quiet moment.
I thought being away from my phone for a few days would be a prison sentence. On the contrary, it was liberating.
I don't need to be shackled to my phone every moment of the day.
And neither do you.
The world will keep spinning regardless of if you check your social media every five minutes.
