You know, we did survive before we had smartphones. Granted, that was a long, long time ago (okay, maybe not so long ago), but people nowadays have seemed to forget that yes, the human race can last a day, or two, or even a month without touching our smartphones. It is had to believe, but it can be done.
Sometimes when we did our noses out of our smartphones, we realize how much life has passed us by. I can't tell you how many events I have been to as a blogger that I really missed, because I was behind the camera working (taking pictures for blog posts, making mental notes on what I was writing about). I can't tell you how nice it is to attend something where I'm not taking pictures or sending Twitter and Facebook updates. Don't get me wrong – there are some days that I live on the thing. However, neither of my parents have a smartphone, and they somehow survive.
Here are a few things that you can do without your smartphone:
1. Enjoy the company of others. I can't tell you how many things I have gone to where everyone has their nose in their smartphone. Instead of talking to the person next to them, they text them. (Yes, I even find that crazy.)
2 (aff). Read a book. I feel like in our busy world people forget to disconnect a bit. Reading is the perfect outlet for that.
3 (aff). Set up a playdate for your kids. I really want my kids playing with their friends, burning their excess energy, and learning to be social with others. I don't think they can get that online as much. They need to learn how to deal with people face-to-face. (Granted, learning how to act online socially is also an important lesson. However, I think they will have more face to face interaction for the time being).
4. Create a bucket list and do some of those things. Everyone has something they wish they could do. Start making plans so you can go do it.
5. Family game night. This is something we try to do once a month. (Granted, I prefer once a week, but that is hard to do since everyone is so busy). My kids love to do it, and they are allowed to pick the game. Sometimes we play Just Dance, sometimes it is Guitar Hero, and sometimes we just play cards. We even pull out our board games and have a ton of fun with those (and we have a ton of board games, so we never have to play the same game more than once!).
Do you think you can live without your smartphone? What do you do with your free time when you aren't on your smartphone? What can you add to my list?
I think I must be the last person in America left without a smartphone… well actually any kind of cellphone. There are occasions when I wish I had one, mainly for money saving apps but other than that I am perfectly happy not being “reachable” 24/7
Have been on a trip recently, only carrying an old Nokia for emergencies. That DID save me a lot of stress!