Week Without a Cell Phone

Week Without a Cell Phone
by Samantha Aldrich
Editor, The Sports Hangar


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Realizing you’re addicted to something is always hard.


Being without a cell phone for a week made me realize that I was addicted to it.   


We live in a day and age where almost everybody has a cell phone. It’s easy to get a hold of people, we can access the Internet on it, listen to our favorite music, and even play games.


I bet everybody reading this right now has thought at one point, “Oh sure, I can go without a cell phone for a week no problem.” Most of you are probably wrong. It’s easy for the first day or two, and sometimes even three. But not for 5! Here’s my little journal I kept over the last 5 days.

Day 1: Today really wasn’t that hard. It sucked not being to get a hold of somebody when I wanted to and it really sucked to use other people’s phones. Especially when I didn’t remember the number of the person I had to call! Other than that though, it was alright.


Day 2: Who looks at the sky and tries to tell the time? Nobody! I was late almost everywhere I went today without my phone. I mean nobody wears watches now, right?! Anyway, I’m bored.


Day 3: Honestly, most of the contacts in my phone I hardly use anyway; I just use it for my main friends and family. But it really sucks not being able to do even that! I want to text and call and feel my phone in my pocket. All day I’ve been walking around thinking my phone is vibrating, but nope. I don’t have mine with me!


Day 4: I miss my music! Today I even cried. I know, I know. Funny right? You probably all think I’m a baby. But it’s harder than you think. Today is Friday and I hate not being able to make plans at school or after school because my cell phone isn’t with me. I have to come all the way home and use my home phone because I can’t remember my friend’s numbers. My music too, I need it. I don't have a fancy iPod. Just my music on my cell phone.


Day 5: YES! Last day. Very excited. Today I wasn’t even worrying about not having my phone. I was focused on being able to get it tomorrow. This whole week my parents had it stored in their bedroom. Even if I wanted to get on it I couldn't. It really sucks to have parents that are good at hiding things.


As you see, I had a hard time. I was a baby and quite frankly annoyed with myself. The first time I ever got a cell phone was in for my birthday in September of 2011. I’ve relied on it so much since then; I haven’t been able to go hardly a week without it. But before that time, It wasn’t really that bad.


This experience showed me how technology and media have impacted my life. I encourage YOU to see if you could go five days or even a full seven day week without a cell phone. Good luck and have fun!