Inspired by the #PhoneDownChristmas campaign, I have spent a full week without checking my social media profiles or visiting Google. Here's what I learned during the week:
It’s possible
Yes, it’s totally possible. Even when you live in a European country, where the internet is no luxury, rather a standard household utility. I turned off the mobile data and wifi options of my iPhone on the night of 1st of January. It was not an easy choice for me. I was in a rush to reply all my pending Facebook messages, instructing my colleagues what to do and informing my close friends that I’m going offline for a week. But once I turned off the internet access to my phone, I started feeling relaxed.
Feeling surroundings
I usually check Facebook and Twitter updates while walking back home from my parking lot or a nearby supermarket. After switching off the internet connection, I found no reason to keep my phone on my hand. Rather, it stayed in my pocket, and my eyes got the chance to see trees and pedestrians around me. I heard the noises around me more clearly and even enjoyed birds singing in the nearby small forest.
It’s healthy
When I told to my psychologist friend about my plan to go offline for a week, he replied, it’s healthy. And I agree with him. From the second day of my offline week, I started thinking less about Facebook notifications, most of them are useless anyways. I didn’t feel any urges of checking Twitter as I was not following world news anymore. For me, It was like a world without Trump and ISIS. I was feeling totally refreshed.
More time for family and REAL friends
I realized Smartphone keeps me away from my family and REAL friends. It’s lot more fun playing with my daughter than checking updates on my iPhone. I talked to few of my friends over the phone during the offline week, and three of my close friends called me after not finding me active on Facebook. Talking with friends is batter than texting with them I think.
Can you last the whole of #Christmas weekend without looking at your phone? #PhoneDownChristmas (via @BBCTrending) pic.twitter.com/aPPJliSO83
— BBC Stories (@bbcstories) December 24, 2016
How did I spend past time during the week?
In case you are thinking of asking me this question, here’s the answer: I read some copies of the Time magazine. They were left unfolded last year. So, I thought the week is the best to read or at least skimmed through some of them. Apart from that, I tested my new DJI OSMO Mobile stabilizer. I will write about my experience about the smartphone accessories soon.
I must admit one thing. I was on holiday during my offline week. Maybe that’s why it was easier for me to stay totally offline for a whole week, even though I traveled around my city without using internet based maps. But believe me, it’s worth spending an #OfflineWeek at least once in a year.
Can you spend a week without accessing the internet? I dare you!
Photo credits: Robin Hutton & Pablo Fernández
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