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Logging out of the matrix lessons learned

I made it 36 hours without any TV‚ no fit-bit‚ radio free‚ cell free‚ and no technology. By 8 am I was jumping out of my skin to look at all my notifications on my phone. I turned it over‚ shut it down‚ and put it in the drawer. I did not need it tempting me. “My husband asked how am I going to talk to you today? I will be at work for ten hours.” Then he laughs‚ “well I guess I can bare it for the sake of art.” I was already thinking of throwing this experiment out in the window even if it was for art.

I began my day by drinking my coffee‚ reading my spiritual books‚ writing in my five minute journal‚ and reading magazines. By ten am I had realized I had forgotten to post my blog post last night. I knew I couldn’t look at my phone. I began to stress out about it. My husband told me to dial it down and that is not a big deal. Chandler thought it would be funny to provoke  me while he looked at the computer. He would say‚ “hey babe come look at this hilarious video.” Of course I would give him the look of stop torturing me. I could here his snickering.

I always buy eggs from this farm and love to take pictures of the animals. I take Ari my dog with me and we head out. When I get there I automatically think I have got to take some shots. I then realize  that I had made a pact to not look at my phone for 36 hours. When I arrive to my in-laws house to let the dogs out‚ it was quiet and peaceful. Normally I enjoy the tranquility of their house. After ten minutes I wanted to turn the TV on for some background noise but I couldn’t. It was hard to just sit and enjoy the quiet.

Five minutes later I wanted to get out of the house. I drove to the public library because I can read all the books and magazines I want. No screens. Usually‚ I walk‚ in get my books I have checked out‚ and leave. However‚ I knew I was unplugging from technology. I stay for over an hour‚ read several articles out of various magazines‚ look through novels on shelves and read paragraphs to see if I like them. By four pm I am back home and still going strong. It is rainy out and I can’t take Ari on a walk. She is not a fan of the rain. I am annoyed.

I move at a snail’s pace around my house‚ clean a few things‚ and go get the mail. I never read the mail. I leave it for my husband unless its for me. This is how bored I was. I opened all the bills and read them. I mean because bills are so interesting to read. I ate some sweets out of desperation and gave some crackers to Ari. She is too cute to not give her a snack. I read some more. About the murders in Juarez‚ Mexico. I decided I had all of Mexico’s problems figured out. Then my husband got home around nine pm and asked me how I did. I said‚ “thank God for a good book otherwise I think I would have gone crazy.” He laughed. He then tried to trick me into looking at reddit but I had come this far and was not giving up.

The next day I had off and Chandler and I went to this trendy coffee shop in German Town. It is the new hip place to live. I wanted to take pictures but my husband reminded me I could not till after twelve pm. So I sulked and drank my coffee like a little kid. Chandler surprised me and took me to downtown Nashville where the famous show American Pickers has a antique store. I was seething with excitement. My husband said I should take some pictures and make up the hour later in the day. Which I did. I was like a kid in a candy store‚ snapping at every object that interested me.

What I learned about myself through this process is I am addicted to my phone. I felt withdrawals like I was a drug addict shooting up in the bathroom. I had the anxious feelings and constantly remembering reasons why it is important that I check my updates. I didn’t understand my compulsiveness to my phone. Sometimes I would be on Twitter to see who followed me and give some shot outs to people. Two hours later I am still on it rolling through the feed.  From detoxing for so many hours I had time to pause. My thoughts are hurried and I get sidetracked easily when I constantly check my cell when I hear the jingle that there is a message. Before with my writing I felt the need to rush through everything and get it done. By doing this experiment I understand the importance of taking one’s time on things. It is a marathon and not a sprint.  What I came to terms with is I am consumed by phone. I can enjoy my device but I do not need to have that obsession of constantly needing to be attached at the hip. The awareness of taking time away from my phone is important. I got to stop and smell the roses. I got to enjoy being out in the backyard with Ari and Lucy while they chase the squirrels. Rather then be glued to my cell. I was present and in the moment.

Have you gone a period with no screens? Did you learn anything from it?