Four Days Without...Wifi

Is life without wifi really that bad?
Let's talk about that.


I had the especially unfortunate predicament of spending four days without wifi or cellular data, including texts, iMessage, etc. I was aware before I entered said predicament that this would be the case and yet I still wanted to slam my head against a wall when the time came. Every time I opened my bag to check my phone, I was met with the harsh reality that there was no point because I couldn't use it.

Ever since the smartphone craze there has been a raging obsession with being attached to a cell phone. From 105-year-olds on Facebook to eleven-year-olds being spoiled with the latest Apple gadget, everyone is glued to their phones. And now studies, lectures, and even warnings on the extreme amount of time spent online are bombarding people in equal measure.  People have become so conscious of their attachments they spend weekends away from electronics on purpose. Most say they feel more "connected to the world around" them. Well, I don't believe it. From my experience, it was absolutely horrible. I was lost nonstop, I didn't know there was an Old Spaghetti Factory up the street so I ate at Subway, and I couldn't check my email. Sometimes, internet access isn't just a pleasure, it's a necessity. As my mother always says, "Everything in moderation." Don't check Instagram every four seconds, but it's a little extreme to boycott access to the world for long periods of time by choice. I'll be the first to admit that it's true, without my phone, I spent more time looking at some trees. But I know people that need their phones, yes, need. They get emails every moment from their work that are important. It's not so much using the phone, it's knowing you can't that drives the impulses of checking.


I pity families that had to communicate through the post. Not being able to harass my sister with pointless texts throughout the day was unexplainably frustrating.
[Side note - also frustrating, having to physically count the words in this post to know how long it is because I'm writing in my journal.]
[Side side note - I actually prefer handwriting things over typing... a foreshadow for my next post perhaps?] 

To venture into the subject of phones in school, particularly high school, and considering what I've said thus far, I am indeed an advocate. And no, this does not mean I must be one of those students that sends snapchats when their teacher turns around. (But for the record, yes, I would use my phone if I needed to.) The debate about phones or no phones in school is ever present and I would love to hear your thoughts. Comment below your opinions, jokes, problems or other objections and as always, thanks for reading.