lessons learned from not having my phone

On this blog space, I like to highlight and write about different things I have been learning, or have learned in my life and that's exactly what's on tap for today! My parents are never going to believe this lol, but being grounded really has taught me so much. Who would have thought that me being foolish and irresponsible would lead to some of the best things I have ever learned and n e e d e d to learn ? Crazy right! I think God must have an amazing sense of humor. Just saying.Who knew it would take me losing my phone to learn some pretty b a s i c lessons I needed to learn?

Today marks 2 months since I've been grounded from my phone and it has been the best. OK not initially (at. all.) but after a while I have come to realize many things. One of which is that I was nearly OBSESSED with my phone. I valued answering messages more than completing tasks in front of me... school work, sleep, and even in person time with family & friends. Here's what I have learned in the past 8 weeks...

📷​​SMXLL 📷

1.) (This may seem obvious but It's easily forgotten in the world we live in) technology is a tool and quite a big privilege. I abused the privilege of being able to have my phone by disrupting the amount of trust my parents had in me by foolish actions. I never really thought much of having a phone so when my parents took it away I was all "Oh no you didn't." but Ha oh yes they did and I desserved it. I mean some people in the world don't even have access to one!

2.) You have the choice to make good or bad decisions. It's time I start thinking a bit more before I act. Last week, I volunteered at a conference for my school group. When I got there on the first day, I was given the rundown on some rules. At the end, the camp director said, "Oh! and don't be on your phone." I replied back, "I didn't even bring mine." At that time he said, "I like you, that's what I like to hear!" A friend of mine was standing nearby and quietly said, "It's not like you had a choice." After a chuckle I replied stating, "true." but WAIT I did have a choice!! OK not in that instance and moment in time, like I couldn't have brought my phone with me that day, but overall I had a choice! I had the choice to go with the flow or stand up against the current and think through my actions before I acted out. Which previously I hadn't *obviously* since I'm grounded. If I had just thought my actions out before hand and the consequences that could follow I wouldn't have even been in this situation! There is nothing wrong I realize, with following a less beaten path if it's going to give you a less likely chance of twisting your ankle in a pothole (getting in trouble ++ making poor decisions.)

3.) I am a people pleaser. The biggest thing I have taken away is this, you DO NOT need to talk to everyone all the time. No matter what instance. You have no obligation to talk to someone to make them happy.You're time is precious don't waste it! I'm the kind of person where if my phone goes off I check it instantly. I answer text messages as soon as I possibly can because I hate to keep people waiting. I rarely ever end conversations. I'll continue talking and keep them going until the other person says they need to go or ends the conversation themselves. I used to waste so much time continually checking my phone WAITING for somebody to answer me or start a conversation with me. This was a pointless waste of time which distracted me from things I could have/should have been doing. I do this because I am super outgoing and LOVE talking to people and seeing how they are doing.Which is good...but sometimes I get so sucked in I don't want to let them down by not talking. Which is bad. Can you say not living in the moment? I realize now, how important it is to be wise with how you handle your time and who you talk to. You can't please everyone and you don't need to. Am I annoyed and wish I had my phone? The answer is very much so. What am I annoyed at? My parents for taking it away? Surprisingly no lol I mean I was at first. But I am just plain annoyed with my little foolish self. This little phone detox has been pretty good. I would encourage you all to put your phone down more often and spend more time living in the moment! Without my phone, in boring times when I usually would gravitate towards my phone I have been able to observe and interact even more and it's been pretty darn cool!

I wanted to pour out some of what I've been learning here so in the future, (if I ever need a reminder) I can come back and be reminded. I have set up a list of rules I want to put in action once I have my phone back to keep myself accountable and make the most of my time, while limiting unnecessary distractions. You can tell how much I was obsessed with my phone when I have learned so much from having such a small thing taken away haha. At the time I got my phone taken away, I knew something had to change, and I prayed something would, and it has. This is about to sound SO CHEESY butttttt I have come to see that life is more than a screen or making everybody happy. It's crazy how when you take a bad situation with a hopeful heart you can learn so much from your mistakes!!

Stay out of trouble haha! Until next time, Mimi K