My phone died on a bright summer afternoon last month. I felt the panic and rushed back to my room and placed it into the charger but to my surprise, my phone wasn't just charging. I tried everything, tighten the wire, plugging and unplugging but the blank screen stared at me with the low battery sign flashing while I try to stab the home and power button violently.I did not know what to do. I felt helpless, I felt handicapped. I couldn't imagine my life without this device which is now lying lifeless in my palm but then I had to let it go and figure out a solution.
So I did. I went a whole day without my iPhone till my new charger arrived the very next day. The experience, you may ask was something that taught me a lesson.
My phone was dead and I had no idea how to proceed with the day further. No more calls, no more 'chimes' whatsapp notification, no more 'buzz' twitter and facebook updates. How will I stay in touch with people? I was scared to be isolated. But later on, I realized that nearly all phone calls I make or receive or the messages on various social networking sites I send or receive are useless and pointless. Yes, they bring you closer to people but virtually. The conversations however are pointless. Why not spend that time with real people, real connections? I stepped outside and connected with friends but this time, not virtually.
It was soon sunset and diner time. I live in my campus hostel (university student, here) and we get food here in the mess. As I was going with my friends for dinner, a mutual friend, rather a stranger for me arrived at the table. Normally, I would ignore such people by playing around with my phone but now as I had no such device in my hands, I greeted him and soon we became quite good friends. Another we start as strangers story? Hmm..
Time for bed and for the first time in a long time I was able to sleep better and faster as I had nothing to glue my eyes into. Nothing that could occupy my mind and tell me to stay awake.
The next day, I got a charger but I did not charge my phone.
Life was better this way.
I no longer had the urge to see my missed notifications. I no longer wanted to stay in touch with people with whom I share no real connection. I could no longer waste my time procrastinating and can actually complete my job much earlier.
I was living in the current moment.
Like most people, I would argue that technology has been a boon to mankind and rightly so but too much of dependence on it can have repercussions, I believe.
My life has never been the same since that day.
I would love to hear your opinions on this.
