Photo by Crew
Over a week ago, I unzipped my hiking pack to find it full with a couple inches of rainwater, my phone swimming in the bottom.
I laughed about it. I had a great time hiking, and there was nothing left to do but throw the phone in a bowl of rice.
I received overwhelming sympathy when I told of my phone’s demise. I shrugged. All I cared about were the pictures of my dog, and those were saved to various social media accounts. My new phone would arrive in about a week. This would be easy.
I began walking to class the next morning when I realized I would have to go the two miles without music. There was no way to communicate with anyone once I was outside the sphere of wifi. I could not check my email, skim new assignment postings or move money from my savings to my checking account. Not to mention my inability to run errands because even after three years, I still cannot navigate Lexington without a GPS.
Even though technology and I continuously butt heads, it quickly became clear to me how dependent I had become. My friends pick on me because of my constant refusal to learn how technology works. Even this article was first written in longhand.
We, as a society, have grown almost entirely dependent on technology to function day to day. To avoid this, it may be wise to occasionally leave our phones at home or shut them off. Taking a break from technology in general may lead to a joyful and fulfilling life.
Learn to put down your phone occasionally. Read a book. Take a walk. Breathe in the fresh air and let your mind have a break from the constant rush of information and FOMO. Loosen up the reigns your devices have on you for a few times a day. You may find that you were missing out on a lot more than you thought you were.