Okay, so not completely unplugged. I’ve spent the week sitting in front of a computer all day, but I have been without my phone. It broke on Monday morning and my replacement doesn’t arrive until tomorrow . . . I’m hoping. I’m not gonna hold my breath on that one, but my fingers are definitely crossed. Surprisingly, being without a phone for a week hasn’t bothered me nearly as much as I thought that it would. I learned a couple of things though.
- Contrary to popular belief, there have been no dire emergencies and the world did not end when I was without a computer to stay connected. Crazy I know!
- When I’m by myself in a public place, I use my phone to avoid interacting with the world around me. Instead of enjoying the breeze or watching the shadows play on the side of a building I recheck my email for the tenth time that hour. I kind of wonder how much of life I’ve missed out on?
- I obsessively check my texts, email, Facebook and Twitter accounts. I’ve almost given myself whiplash from constantly reaching for my phone to check . . . yet again.
- Despite that, not once I have I had something to say to someone, that it couldn’t wait until I got home or back to my desk at work.
- Nobody gives a crap that I haven’t “Checked-In” anywhere in the past week.
- I can get places and meet up with people without GPS or texting. We kicked it old school and showed up at the appointed time and looked for each other!
- I’m more relaxed. Since there is no way for me to respond to anyone immediately, I don’t stress about needing to respond to someone immediately.
- It is kind of liberating not being available every second of every day.
- A small part of me hopes that my phone gets delayed for another day or two.
- Once it does arrive, I think I’m going to start turning it off instead of just putting it on silent when I arrive places. Life exists outside of my smart phone.
