How I Survived 6 Days Without a Phone

Like most people, my phone is lyfe. I have my music, my photos and my connection to others on that precious device. So what happened last Saturday was absolutely devastating. With a mixture of exhaustion and no coffee, I mistakenly put my phone on top of the roof of my car and drove away. It wasn't until I heard that unfortunate thump miles later that I realize I had lost my phone to stupidity. Somehow, I had kept my face impassive and not shown my absolute terrified and sad self all day. That is until I called my dad. I knew he wouldn't be super mad about it — he was mad, but not raging — because my younger sister has gone through four phones within two years so she kind of set the standard. When I called him I didn't even have to fake cry because I was really crying, like ugly, face-scrunching bawling. Thanks to my pristine perfect-phone — meaning I had never broken my phone beyond repair record — and the fact that my upgrade was around the corner, he sent me a new phone. But for six days I was SOL without a phone. It was totally stressful but much needed.

Day 1 & 2: Saturday & Sunday

Following the phone call to my dad — using my roomie's phone — I took a seven-hour nap, woke up, promptly reached for my phone, which I had always plugged into the outlet next to my bed, and remembered everything that had happened. I wanted to cry again, but my tears ran out. After peeling my dried contacts off my eyes and grabbed some ice cream from my freezer, I settled on the couch for a night of restless sleep. Every once in a while I would see something and think "I have to Snapchat this" but, unfortunately, Snapchat is not supported on iPads so it was another reminder of what I don't have.

Sunday was okay. After a quick three-hour nap from 6-9 a.m. — a product of taking a seven-hour nap the day before and waking up at 11 at night — I went to work, constantly checking my iPad for new emails. It felt like I kept forgetting I was supposed to do something. I would then reach for my phone. It was a long day.

Day 3: Monday

Without my phone alarm to wake me up, I was thankful my roommate did. I'm hard to wake up and it usually takes multiple alarms to wake me up. Luckily I have a mom-type roommate and she woke me up and walked to class with me. I spent most of my day alone and, without a phone, disconnected. It was a strange combination for me. Usually, I would have at least one conversation going or plans to meet someone, but without a way to talk to those people, it was hard to meet up. Luckily, I knew where most of my friends would be at some point during the day.

Day 4: Tuesday

Not having a phone was finally settling in with me. It was kind of nice not to look for distractions and being pestered by Facebook notifications 24/7. I could walk or read for hours and nobody would bother me unless I had WiFi. It was an oddly beautiful thing.

Day 5: Wednesday

I knew I was getting a phone on Thursday so I had just one more day to get through. I was simultaneously excited and sad — obviously more excited than sad. I was excited because, duh, a new phone, but sad because now I would have to answer phone calls and answer messages promptly. It was kind of a nag having a phone, it beeping all the time with new things. The only things I was missing were Snapchat and iBooks. I saw a coffee stain that looked like Australia I really wanted to Snapchat to my friends, but couldn't.

Day 6: Thursday, aka I GOT A NEW PHONE

The day had finally arrived. After checking my FedEx account after every class, it was finally delivered. In my hour break between classes, I ran home to grab it off the front porch. My new phone, the iPhone 7 — thank you, Dad — was beautiful and so perfect. I was ready to break it in.

While my stupidity landed me without a phone, it also brought me a new perspective. People mention that with all the technology around, we hardly stop to look around us. Without that technology, I was able to do that. I read many books, did my homework promptly, and spent time outside when the weather allowed it. It was a bittersweet beginning, but in the end taught me a lesson. To quote a classic: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it." Ferris Bueller said it best. For a week, I looked around. And I have to say, it's beautiful.