Unplugged in the Mountains Part II

 

As mentioned in my previous post, my cell phone was toast after dropping it down the stairs during our first night stay at our vacation cabin. It was time to assess the damages. Keep in mind, it was a Friday night when I dropped it. Saturday morning we met with someone at a repair shop and the news wasn't terrible but it wasn't pleasant. The screen could be replaced, but since my phone was relatively new (Samsung Note 20) a new screen was insanely expensive. Plus it wasn't in stock and had to be ordered from the manufacturer. No phone until at least Wednesday and that would be if everything worked out. I tried to log onto my school accounts from my husband's computer. I like to auto save my passwords on Chrome (I know, I know, not very secure). So there was nothing saved on my husband's computer, and I went to reset my password. What was needed to do that? A Duo push to my cellphone! AHHHH! The frustration set in and I was grumpy for the rest of the day.

On Sunday, I wasn't grumpy, but I started to feel an almost withdrawal like emotion. I kept feeling my brain push me to check my phone. At bedtime, I looked for my phone around the cabin for five minutes before my husband reminded me that I didn't have a phone. The symptoms got worse as I tried to fall asleep. I usually avoid most social media when I am in bed, but I do listen to audio books or read on my kindle app. And then I use a white noise app. None of these were available to me and it made it possible for some insomnia to creep in. Awesome. 

Monday had it's ups and downs. We were scheduled to spend the whole day at a local theme park. I was kept busy focusing on my family and having fun. What really started to irritate me was not being able to pull out my phone to snap a photo. I had to ask my husband to pull his phone out of his pocket so I could take a pic. It got annoying quickly and I soon put it out of my mind. 

Luckily there was a professional taking photos on Tuesday when we went white water rafting.(I'm in the pink hat.)

My phone was repaired and ready to be picked up on Wednesday. I immediately opened up social media apps and texts. Wednesday was waterpark day, so I didn't even bring my phone. 

By Thursday, I brought my phone with me, but only brought it once to look up directions. 

On our drive home, I increased my usage more, but was also aware of how much I was picking my phone up. We also didn't have a lot of signal during our trip down the mountains. 

What did I learn from all of this? Well, I definitely have cell phone addiction. It is definitely a physical addiction that can be felt in the brain and body when it is discontinued. But I also learned how much more I could be engaged in the moment. Although our trip is not captured in a ton of pictures like most vacations are, I have the beautiful memories in my head. I survived the mountains unplugged!