Kid and Phone-less for 48 Hours

It was an accident. I doubt I would have actually attempted this on my own, but leave it to circumstance to show you when maybe you need a break. 

It started like this – I tried to install the new iOS system on my phone and it crashed. I had to completely wipe my phone and reinstall due to the crash. (Let this be a reminder to be backing up to the cloud on a regular basis to those of you who are not! I didn’t lose ANYTHING thanks to the cloud).  After chatting (online have you) with Apple to figure out how to activate my phone, I had it back – only the phone was working. I couldn’t hear anyone who called me.

Ok, so my phone wasn’t completely shattered, it was just the speaker. I wasn’t completely phone-less, more like a kid with an iPod whose parents aren’t ready to give them a full blown smart phone yet. But, working from home and in social media, I am pretty dependent on my phone, and having a malfunctioning phone was something I wasn’t prepared for. So, I figured I would document what is was like to go tech-free for a few hours. Here’s what happened.

Well here’s what DIDN’T happen –

I didn’t die. Social media didn’t melt down without me. Clients didn’t freak out that I couldn’t “call” them for a couple days. I still managed to post a couple photos to Instagram from my iPad, and I checked text messages and emails occasionally from my laptop. (Sorry to all those people without iPhones or SMS because I don’t see them!)

Here’s what DID happen:

At first, with Maximo gone, I felt really alone. No connection to the world, and no toddler to chase – what was I to do? I actually re-joined the world. I threw on my shoes and even in 30-degree weather, decided to get outside.

1. I went for a run.

And I saw the world. I see my neighborhood everyday, but without trying to read emails while pushing a stroller, I actually noticed the people around me. Including one of the LOLAs in a full-fur coat at 8am. If she wasn’t so old, I would have claimed she was doing a walk of shame. New York is the most amazing place to people watch, and I realized, I spend more time watching my phone when I’m out walking around or on the subway than watching people. This was one of the reasons I fell in love with New York in the first place. I’ll be keeping my phone in my pocket more often.

2. I took myself to lunch.

Typically going to lunch means checking in, taking a photo of the food, or a selfie with who ever is with me or with Max. I love taking selfies with Max, but to actually sit down and enjoy a meal with no texts, no Facebook or toddler meant I had to actually sit there – alone. I couldn’t hide behind my phone and act like the world wasn’t happening. I took it like a human – I sat there, alone and proud. And I enjoyed every uninterrupted sip of coffee and bite of food. There isn’t a photo of my meal to share, and I secretly like that I can keep that little memory to myself and give you a bit of mystery in a world of transparency. Are you dying to know what I ate or where I ate or if it was kid-friendly? Doubtful. 

3. I got a manicure, pedicure AND a massage.

Since I was out and about, I decided I was allowed to take an hour to take care of myself. I carry a lot of stress in my shoulders, and I feel like it really starts to weigh on me. Especially after lugging 50 lbs of toddler and stroller and winter clothes up and down subway steps day after day. So I snuck into my favorite little spa place and treated myself. 

4. I read the New York Times instead of my Facebook feed.

Typically I catch up on social media while I am getting a pedicure – I call it “multitasking.” If I am checking emails and posting Tweets, I don’t feel guilty to take the time to pamper myself. This time I decided to read the paper like I used to love to do. When’s the last time you actually read a newspaper, like actually read it till the carbon rubbed off on your fingers read it. The journalist in me was starving for those words on paper. Even though a lot of news is sad these days, it was must more nourishing for my brain that those pointless Facebook status updates and Buzzfeed quizzes. I remembered why I went to Grad School to be a journalist in the first place, and I felt like I had refreshed my brain with so many new ideas and articles to write – like this one. 

5. I took a bath.

It sounds so simple, but usually I am in such a hurry to get things done, even if I do have the time, I don’t take it. I rush in and out of the shower and get on with my work. This time, I filled the tub with hot water and Epson salt, turned the lights off and put on soft classical Christmas music. Pure Bliss. I got out feeling like a million dollars, and for those few moments, I didn’t stress out about what was supposed to get done. I didn’t feel guilty to shut out the world for a little bit, so why is it so hard to do this more often?

6. I finally cleaned out my closet. Literally. 

I am always so rushed, it’s a good day when I can actually find the time to DO the laundry. I always fold it, but then it usually sits in piles on the floor, or I shove it in drawers it doesn’t belong in just to hide it. This time, I pulled both closet doors open, put on the Rihanna channel and had a dance party right out of Sex and the City. I tossed old clothes in a heap on the floor, tried on and found dresses I SWEAR I had lost and cursed at people for not returning, and even neatly folded and hung everything according to length. Dresses with dresses, skirts with skirts… you get the idea. It only took me about an hour, but it was the hugest feeling of accomplishment!

7. I watched a full-length adult movie. 

Finally I settled in for the night on the couch and instead of checking Instagram or Facebook, I actually watched an entire movie. I put down the phone, and actually paid attention. Do you have any idea the last time I did that? I haven’t been to a movie since Maximo was born, and usually I am watching Frozen or the Lego Movie for the 100th time, so you know, I “multitask” again. Not this time. I watched every moment of Guardians of the Galaxy with no distraction, and it was so good I bought it. And I watched it again. 

8. I got a full night of sleep

Instead of laying on the couch or laying in bed checking emails or Instagram before finally turning off the light, I caught up on my Self magazine reading. I haven’t read them in three months. It was nice to actually read quality information instead of all those meaningless status updates. And then I actually went to bed at a descent time, getting at least a full eight hours of sleep! It’s not that hard – 11pm till 7am is totally doable!

So now it’s Monday morning and I am about to head out for some end-of-year meetings, but I woke up feeling more refreshed than I have in weeks – and it’s three days until Christmas! Trust me, I have no intention of leaving social media or the world of technology anytime soon, but I realized that I wasn’t missing anything taking a little time off here and there and not staring at my phone 24/7. 

Do you think you could do it?