Recently I left the house and I forgot my cell phone. I realized it when I was right on the border of heading back for it and being too far to make it worth my while. I was headed to meet my Mom and head to Ikea with the girls. I decided to forget the phone and spend a day unplugged. It was almost like a little social experiment. At first I felt anxiety. I mean real life, actual anxiety about not being able to be reached. Then I spent the next few minutes telling myself “you lived without a cell phone, you lived without a cell phone, you can do it again”. I know, I have a problem.
Anyway, I got to the place we were supposed to meet and my Mom (who was ten minutes ahead of me) wasn’t there. Re-enter anxiety. I made a conscious decision that I would wait 15 minutes, if she wasn’t there I would head home for my phone. After 14 minutes she pulled up. She rolled down her window and said “I called you like ten times.” I sheepishly admitted only that I forgot my phone.
We drove to Ikea and I drove while singing along to the radio… and not while making appointments and returning phone calls. I resisted the urge to text Brian with my Mom’s phone and tell him I was phoneless. The more I shopped the less my anxiety took over.
I survived my own little social experiment. I went an entire 6 hours without being connected by my phone or computer. It was oddly freeing. I have survived without a cell phone in the past and I am capable. I didn’t own a cell phone until I was in college. And then it was only a pre-paid phone. Life was fine with only a house phone.
I got home and immediately checked my cell. Other than my Mom, no one had called. :D
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2 comments:
Isn't that great! I too often forget that I was 29 when I got my first cell phone, and now of course I can't live without it? Too funny. I wonder what my daughter won't be able to love without one day.
Anon - Isn't that funny. When I tell my nephews and niece about life without IPods, cell phones and gps. :D
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