Cell phones: basically everyone has one. I received my first phone when I was 14 years-old, and ever since then, it has never really left my side. From basic communication to scheduling almost every moment of my day, my phone is an integral aspect of my daily life. It is my connection to the wider world, my source of entertainment and one of my most precious (and expensive) items I own. Because of its importance, you can imagine my apprehension when I was forced to go two weeks without a phone.
To make a long story short, I went to Vegas for a fun weekend away, and while I was able to avoid any mishaps in the city that never sleeps, it was the journey home that became my undoing. My best friend and I decided to make a quick stop at a Starbucks on our ride back, and when we were only four hours away from home, I clumsily dropped my phone into a toilet. I had placed my phone in the back pocket of my jeans, and as I sat to use the restroom, I heard a ‘plop.’ I immediately knew the mistake I had made. The phone I had replaced just last month was sitting in the water of a dirty, public toilet. With my expired warranty and lack of insurance, I knew that I would have to pay out of pocket for my slip-up. Due to previous financial obligations and lack of free time, I had to wait two weeks before I could replace my phone.
The first few days were difficult. I had Vegas photos I wanted to Instagram, moments I wanted to Snapchat, selfies I wanted to take and music I wanted to listen to as I walked to class. I never knew what time it was because my phone had always been my watch, and I had no way to call my parents. I was bothered and incredibly inconvenienced to say the least.
However, as the days went on, I realized that going without a phone was just that: an inconvenience. I simply had to figure out how to function without a phone. I messaged people via Facebook, iMessage and email. I borrowed my roommates’ phones if I really had to make a phone call. I asked people what time it was when I did not have access to a clock. I walked to class without listening to music, and I simply did not post on Instagram or Snapchat. After seven years of consistently having a phone attached to my hip, I went cold turkey for two weeks, and yes, I survived.
Even more so, I gained a new-found appreciation for the little things around me because for the first time in what seemed like forever, I was not constantly distracted by what everyone else what doing. I felt more observant and aware of my interactions with people because I was not constantly looking down at a phone. Going without a phone forced me to be aware of the current moment, and while I definitely would not go another two weeks without a phone, I recognize that my phone is not my entire life. Unlike before, I feel at ease now that I can turn my phone off and simply enjoy the world around me.
