Phoneless for a day.

This morning I woke to the soulful sound of birds chirping outside my window. Surprisingly I had
never heard them before. I lay in my warm bed contemplating life and reluctant to get up. As I
muster the energy to fully awaken. My feet touch the cold wooden floor and I turn on my heating. I
look outside and see an icy wonderland. winter. My second favourite season I love the beauty winter
brings yet I hate the cold frosty mornings. As I make my way to the kitchen my cat greets me at the
door. he rubs his silky fur along my ankles I smell the bread coming from he kitchen and hear the
sound of the kettle ringing. For the first time in forever my senses feel alive. Is this what life is like
without a phone?

I go to school and sit in my register class, everyone except me is on their phones. I feel sad and
somewhat isolated, as I have no friends in that class I can speak to. I don’t know what to do with
myself, when suddenly right in front of I see a stack of books I pick one up and ruffle the pages with
my fingers. I begin to read. I am transported to a magical paradise. A world with enchantment and
happiness different from my own. I read a few more pages and remember of the times I would read
in my spare time. It makes me reminisce over the days of my past where I would willingly read books
in the morning instead of go through social media and check all my different apps I have.

The bell rings and I must go to first period, I sit there quietly and do my work. until the teacher
announces that we are using our phones to play kahoot. Using our phones! What phones? What do I
do? I have two options, sit there unable to play my favourite game, or force myself to make social
interactions with my class mates. I choose the second one and share phone with someone in my
class. It was pretty fun. It was awkward at first since I’m quite introverted. however, pushing myself
to take those first step out of my comfort zone really helped me improve my social skills. although
uncomfortable at first, I think it was really beneficial for me.

As the end of the school day arrives, I must now walk home I would usually immerse myself music on
my phone for the 40 minute walk. But now I must walk in silence, contrary to my expectations I
became more aware of the surroundings which I had never truly seen before. Simple things like the
colour of the sky as the shimmering sun came down. A beautiful crimson that shined on the entire
sky. As I walked past a grand lake the stillness of the water reflected the entire sky. A black swan
emerged from behind the greenery creating small ripples in the water, which only added to the
beautiful scenery. At the moment I wished I could take a picture. But maybe the moment was only
significant to me as I was forced to engrave it to my memory.

Twenty minutes into my walk and I fell something cold and wet hit my face. rain. before I could take
cover under the canopy of some tree a heavy downpour occurs. I run to take shelter and barley
make it in time before I get completely soaked. The rain is so heavy I must stay put, this would be
the perfect time to have a phone so I could call my mum to pick me up. Unfortunately, I can’t I’m
stuck, my only option is to stay here until the rain clears. I wait for a few minutes but the rain is only
heavier, its useless I may as well make a run for it, but ill surely get sick after running int the rain for
such a long period of time. Startling someone taps me on the shoulder, they give me an umbrella.
Before I can properly catch a glimpse of their face, they run across the street in a hurry to get away
from the rain. I shout to him thank you and as he turns around, I recognise his uniform, which is the
same as mine. He gives me a sweet smile and runs further into the street. The kindness of a stranger
was what for the first time ever made my heart flutter.
The rest of the walk home made me happy. everything I did made me feel like it was the start of
something new it felt so right to be here in the moment. I waste too much time on my phone, I
already know that. However, my day made me realise that my phone truly makes me miss out on life
experiences and many new feelings. That being said my day would have been a lot easier and more
practical if I had a phone. But I would now recommend to anyone to challenge themselves and go for
at least one day without a phone or even any technology as I have become a believer that your life
only starts at the end of your comfort zone.