I Don’t Want My Phone Anymore.

“The difference between technology and slavery is that slaves are fully aware that they are not free” — Nassim Nicholas Taleb

I, like most others, have battled with technology many times.

Each time, I would tell myself that I was done allowing technology to steal my life from me, yet here I am, face to face with the consequences of my addiction again.

***

I woke up on Saturday morning ready to start my weekend off on a productive note and knock some items off of my to-do list. However, I was feeling a little sluggish and decided that I would check my phone before getting ready for the day. What. A. Mistake.

After checking my email, I still wanted more; I instinctively opened Netflix, and from that point on, I could not be saved.

After a long day of digital activities, I glanced at my watch to check the time.

9:12 PM.

My single decision to check my phone in the morning had singlehandedly resulted in my entire day slipping through my fingers. At that moment, I felt nothing short of miserable. I had neglected to use my much-needed free day to take care of the mountain of tasks piling up on my to-do list, and had made myself even more stressed and miserable than before in the process.

Unfortunately, this wasn’t the first time something like that had happened to me, and I’m not the only one who has had to deal with that experience.

I knew something had to change.

In similar past moments, I would always power my phone off and opt to take a break from it the next day, but that strategy never worked, as I would find myself glued to my phone again within hours.

This time, I had to approach the problem differently. Using the same flawed strategy wouldn’t solve my problem, and I was tired of making excuses for my behavior.

So, I made a drastic decision: I decided that I won’t use my phone for the entire fall season. From September 22nd to December 21st, I will live a phone-free lifestyle.

Of course, exceptions must be made, but the exceptions I am establishing are much less forgiving than the last few times around. My phone will only be used for the purposes of coordinating transportation — nothing more, nothing less.

I believe that this change will be drastic and isolating at first, but yield great results. Without my phone, I can pay attention to the world again. Over the next month, I will not be able to distract myself from my feelings anymore. I will no longer have the ability to put in a pair of earbuds every time I am left alone with my own thoughts; instead, I will have to confront them.

It’s going to be scary, and it’s going to be lonely, and it’s going to be challenging, but greatness is always on the other side of fear. I have faith in the fact that taking this jump will improve my life for the better.

There’s truly no reason that I need my phone.

If I need to research something, I can look it up on my computer, read a book on it, or ask an actual person about it.

If I have nothing to do, I can spend my time learning something new, talking to a friend, reading, getting ahead on work, or creating content.

If I am in need of music, I can make my own. I can learn a new piece on the piano, play my violin, or even pick up the flute again and relearn some of my old pieces.

People lived without phones for millions of years, so why can’t I?

I look forward to the personal growth that is bound to occur in my life as I enter this next season. Autumn is going to be unforgettable this year, and I know that it has blessings in store for all of us. I hope that this article has been helpful to you in one way or another, and if you would also like to spend the season phone-free, I am so excited for you and wish you the best of luck on your journey!

—

This post was previously published on Medium.

***

You Might Also Like These From The Good Men Project

Compliments Men Want to Hear More Often

Relationships Aren’t Easy, But They’re Worth It

The One Thing Men Want More Than Sex

..A Man’s Kiss Tells You Everything