No Electronics Day

No electronics day is a challenge to not use any electronics for 24 hours. Driving is fine but no phones, laptops, tv, etc. I thought that it would be a fun challenge to try because I think that we all spend too much time on our phones and such that we don't really pay attention to the things around us. Back in Brooklyn, I used to think that my phone was a part of my life; I can't (well I could but I wouldn't want to) survive without my phone. I need to check when the bus is coming, when the train is coming, or if I'm meeting someone, where the hell are they at, why are they so late, etc. But after coming  and living on campus, I feel that life is a lot slower here; I don't feel so rushed all the time (just during midterms and finals). And I don't use my phone as often anymore. In fact, I realized that my student ID is starting to feel equally as important if not more important than my phone. Anyways, I decided to choose a good day where there was no paper due (so I don't need my laptop), and there was no homework due on Blackboard, to take this challenge. In the beginning, I felt as if a part of me wasn't there (because I left my phone in my room for the day), and this kind of made me feel out of place and I was always somewhat anxious that something was going to happen. But by noon, I started to relax and I noticed my surroundings more.  Walking around the campus without my phone made me feel a lot calmer. Some parts of the campus feels like a garden; like that area near the physics building. That was something I wouldn't have noticed because I would just be on my phone, texting my friends or doing anything else but looking up. Cellphones and laptops are great but sometimes we should close that screen and look around. Oh yea, there was a downside to this day. I was suppose to meet up with some of my friends but I was worried that I would be late so I came early. However no one was there even after our arranged time. I didn't have a phone to text them where they are. But I guess, not having a phone forces me to just trust in my friends. And even if I did have my phone with me, they can't arrive any earlier than they did (or did not do), and by texting them and reading their excuses will probably make me more upset. So I think it's easier to just wait and trust them (unless they ditched you, then go yell at them).