Mini-challenge of the week: No Cell phone for 5 Days

We have become a society so dependent on technology that it almost seems impossible not to live a life where you don't use it.  I began to notice how much I depend on my iPhone 6 on a daily basis.  I use it for everything and it's a major life saver too! I don't get lost anymore, thanks to Google Maps. I capture memories using my camera, I communicate with my friends who are near and far via text messaging, I look up anything I want to know on my Google app, and stay informed on my friends and family using Facebook. We are living in a time where everything, and I mean EVERYTHING is only a few finger swipes away. 

But I've also started to notice how addicting having my cell phone is to me. When I'm bored, I use my phone to watch funny videos or spend time on Pinterest.  Now, my phone is keeping me locked in and not for the right reasons.

While watching a rerun of Super Soul Sunday on OWN, I watched how author of Eat Pray Love, Elizabeth Gilbert described the meaning of having "mini-quests" to find spurts of happiness and comprehension.  "All quests start out with a question," she explained.  As I sat there attentively, I realized that I needed to do something like this.  So I came up with "mini challenges." What would be my first one?  "What would happen if I gave up my cell phone for five days?" Sounds scary to me so I started off with baby steps at first.  I would leave my phone at home when I went to the gym for an hour or so and I did this for a few days.  I would come home to find that my phone didn't have any missed calls or messages. I didn't miss out on anything. Nothing happened. The world didn't end.  

So one morning, I woke up and thought, "Let's take this one step further, shall we?" So, my journey of being cell phone-free for the work week of five days began and ended and I'm still here--alive and well. 

Being cell phone less, I learned and realized: 

• I had less distractions at work and actually noticed where I was going when I walked
• I had more meaningful conversations with my coworkers and family members without the distraction of my phone getting in the way
• I started paying more attention to the people around me and enjoyed people watching again 
• I learned that it's okay to be alone and it's actually needed to "re-energize" 
• I regained my energy and my focus to things that mattered to me 
• I didn't feel "tied" down to anything
• Sporting a watch is a must when you don't have a cell phone around
• I didn't have to worry about having my cell phone drop in the toilet (less stress right there)
• People who were looking for me still found me without my phone (I couldn't get away, even if I wanted to)

The cell phone isn't supposed to rule every minute of your life.  It's the opposite.  It exists for YOUR convenience, not the convenience of others to rule your life.  YOU are in control, not your cell phone.

In the future, I plan to only use my phone only when I need to.  Not when I'm bored or pretend to use my phone for something important when I'm trying to avoid eye contact. 

First mini-challenge is done.  On to my next mini-challenge...

Stay tuned, 

Mayra :)