Friday at noon my phone was shut off... Yep, shut OFF! Before I shut off my phone for two days I sent out messages to a few people that I thought would need to know that I was going device-free for 48 hours. Then I packed up my car and headed north. I drove my suburban (a car I hadn't driven in over a year) and a little while into my drive I checked my stereo for the time to see how much longer I had in my drive (Are we there yet?!) Well, I'd forgotten that I didn't have a clock on my radio and if I did, I didn't know how to make it show up or set it (without looking online to get the instructions) Since I always use my phone to check the time, I don't usually wear a watch. I realized I was going to have to make the drive without knowing the time which was kind of irritating but I dealt with the frustration just fine.
A couple of years ago I had to go 72 hours without using any devices for one of my classes. I couldn't listen to any music unless it was music I produced myself by playing an instrument. No phones, land-lines included, were allowed. No computers. No electric devices were allowed, not even an alarm clock. It was strict! But I did it.
During the assignment of going without devices for 48 hours I experienced something just like I did in my assignment from 2 years ago. Most of us have our phones with us nearly everywhere we go, including the bathroom, yes, you know it's true. Don't deny it. There is always a sound indicating that a text has come in, an email, a game notification etc. There are constant connections to other people. They can reach you and you can reach them. Well it was an interesting and oddly comforting feeling to feel that I was disconnected from other people. It was a peaceful feeling. No, it really was. I kind of felt like I was in a comfortable cocoon where I was able to think and reflect and plan... whatever I wanted without any interruption or intrusion by ANYONE.
When I got off the freeway, I immediately stopped at a store to buy myself a watch so I'd know the time and a notebook and pen so I could take notes since I couldn't use my phone or any other device to do so. I had decided I might want to take a few photos when I was up north because my niece was having her mission farewell and there would be a lot of family there. My family is HUGE! Knowing I couldn't use my nice new digital camera, I pulled out my old cheap film camera that I hadn't used in years. While I was at the store getting a watch, notebook and pen, I picked up a new battery for my camera and some film. I felt kind of stupid when I couldn't remember how to work this very simple camera. I had forgotten how to open the battery area and how to load film. Thankfully it didn't take too long to remind myself... Whew! When it came time to take pictures, I realized how valuable each photo was and how I didn't want to just go around taking pictures of whatever random things I wanted to since I only had 24 exposures available on this roll and I couldn't go back and look at them to see how they looked. Getting the film developed would be a little like opening a Christmas present from an old neighbor - it would either be something classy and perfect, or a disappointing failure. I will probably be developing the roll of film today.
I enjoyed a relaxing weekend with my fantastic Army boyfriend who knew of my assignment of going device-free... He tried to tempt me by pulling up videos and photos on his phone. He wanted me to look at them but I refused. I just kept my head buried in my Word Search book. I told him he could describe things to me if he wanted to, but I wouldn't give in to temptation... and I didn't. Double Whew!!
I didn't miss Facebook. I didn't miss email. I didn't miss the Internet searches. I didn't miss phone calls. The only thing I missed was being able to communicate with my children over text messages at least to remind them that I was going to be picking them up at 8:30 in the morning to head to a 9 am missionary farewell for their cousin. I got to their house and no one had remembered. My ex-husband was irritated. I tried to explain that I had not been on my phone for an assignment for school. I told him I was sorry. Turns out he HAD been told, but his selective memory blocked it. Most farewells tend to have a luncheon or some kind of get-together afterward, but because I didn't have access to a phone or other communication device, I had to use my mouth... I had to walk around the chapel to find a family member so I could ask them if there was any kind of family thing after the farewell. There was. At the luncheon, many family members giggled at my ancient camera I pulled out to take pictures. I felt like I was 13 all over again, when I had my first film camera. It was kind of a fun and nostalgic feeling actually. I felt kind of excited at the anticipation of getting my film developed. I knew there wouldn't be any beautifully brilliant shots in the bunch, but I knew there were pictures of the people I loved, and that would be worth waiting for the film to be developed.
At noon on Sunday I was free to get back on devices... But honestly, I wasn't in a hurry at all. When I finally did turn my phone back on I was surprised at all the emails, texts and facebook stuff that had been sent during my hiatus from virtual connection. The only thing I regretted missing were the attempted Face-time calls from my kids and their texts wondering where I was. Hmm... apparently they used their selective text reading and completely missed my message, letting them know that I wouldn't be available for texting or phone calls for two days. Other than the communication that had come in from my kids, I didn't miss missing anything else. :)
