I go to Mexico a lot, and I don't have service or internet. My longest visited has been over a month. So for one month I am with basic television (mostly shows that are in Spanish), no phone and no internet. So I have gone days without my phone and it is quite the struggle. I usually have my phone on anyway and I check it even when I know I won't have any new messages or internet. One month without these really does take its toll on you. ITS MISERABLE! I never noticed how dependent I was on these things, until I had no access to any of it. I get so bored without them.
It's great to have access to all of this technology and be able to use it whenever we want. The gadgets we have now are so advanced and you can do pretty much anything. I can spend my entire day on my phone or using my computer and time goes by so fast- yet when I do homework time can go by so slow. When I don't have these things though, I feel a sense of relief. No constant checking of my social media sites, no one to text or answer to and no internet. I have the worst eye sight and constantly checking all these screens often makes my eyes feel dry and tired. When I'm without my electronics, I feel like my eyes rest and the pain goes away.
So for this experiment I tried to go a whole day without any networked media. I turned my phone off and actually went out with my mom. We went shopping so honestly I didn't really feel that empty because I stayed occupied. When my phone was off, I noticed that I would still check it --only to find a dark screen with no new notifications or messages. It's nice to leave everything aside and just spend a nice day out and enjoy the world and your family with no distractions.
It is a relief to not use these every once in a while; it helps break your dependence and urge to be on them 24/7. However, going every day without them would not be so great. Since I don't live with my family, my cell phone is a great way to stay in contact with them and for them to make sure I am safe. My Mac is also something I don't think I can live without. I use it to do anything school related and also for entertainment.
I hope I can learn to take breaks from all this technology under my own will more often.
One month without a phone or internet is really remarkable!! I think staying occupied while we are without our phones is the key, because if you spend time thinking about what you are missing, it's like you said "miserable." I also feel a sense of relief when you don't feel bound to something, but it still can be very stressful. I am very impressed that you were able to complete the challenge, that takes quite the self-control!
ReplyDeleteI've been to foriegn countries as well so I really feel your pain!! Time does go by so fast when were plugged into different social networking sites that are real time wasters. I dont know how you went a month without it though!! I would've died. However, I think now that you know you can survive without it there's a little bit of confidence to live your life outside of the internet! I can completely agree and say I get the best rest when I havent been plugged in for a few hours. I don't know how social media famous people do it, they have to constantly update their fans 24/7. Thank God we can have the best of both worlds ;)
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