It's no secret that technology plays a big role in our lives. Many of us are always connected whether it be WiFi or data we tend to find ourselves caught in a trap. If you are like me you are always glued to the screen. It doesn't matter what is on the screen as long as it is keeping you occupied.
For me, if it's not Trivia Crack, then it's Facebook. If it's not Facebook, it's Snapchat. My phone sends me constant reminders of the messages waiting for me through text and WhatsApp. Technology is incredible and has been so beneficial in my life. It keeps me connected to my Russia friends and is helping me learn the Russian language. But more often than not, I feel trapped by the power that I allow it to hold on my life.
Sometimes Facebook can be seen as a popularity contest. Many users write posts and post pictures depicting a "perfect" life. Online, we can be whoever we want to be. The dirty details of our last argument still reside in our hearts and in our minds as we post a loving status about our significant other, trying to hide the negative from the rest of the world. There was a time when I allowed Facebook to consume my life - actually - become my life. If I got only a few "likes" on a picture that I posted of my boyfriend and I, I would feel like our relationship wasn't significant. I was basing my whole relationship, my whole life, on "likes" that I got from Facebook.
My phone never leaves my side. When I am at work it lies right by my computer where I can watch the notifications overwhelm my screen. When I am watching TV or a movie, my phone is turned on to Facebook or Trivia Crack, demanding my attention. I have noticed that I hardly even have an attention span when I am off of my phone. It pushes its way into my relationships as I watch my newsfeed for any change while on a date or waiting for another text as my friend is trying to have a conversation with me.
There have been numerous occasions where I tried to take back my life. I relied on apps to help me stay off of my phone during school hours and deleted Facebook when I realize how much of my life had been consumed by the app.
This summer I went on a trip to Russia. A whole 10 days without cell phone service unless connected to WiFi.
This would have been the worst thing in the world to me a year ago, but this time it was incredibly freeing. For 10 days, I was free from the bondage that I allowed my phone to have over me. My phone was used mainly by the kids of my host family who loved the filters on Snapchat -—and I was HAPPY. I didn't feel the stress that I do when a text doesn't come for two hours. My focus was on my relationships, on the people, and it was such a blessing to focus on them. (Of course I had many opportunities to use WiFi, but I actively made the decision to stay unplugged a majority of the time). My phone was never by my side.
There are other spoken word videos floating around on Facebook sharing the same message. Though the videos are insightful and inspiring, you have to allow yourself to see the damage that it can cause you personally. After the peace I felt in Russia I know that it is time to break free from my prison "cell." My phone time will dwindle down, my relationships will become my focus, and my life will be lived. My cell phone is no longer my life... I am FREE!
