No Smartphone Challenge Follow Up

So, this past few weeks I have been completing a self imposed ‘No Smartphone Challenge’, and as I had such a good response to it I thought I would post an update.  So far the positives to taking part, really do seem to outweigh the negatives.

Positives:

• Not checking my phone repeatedly, saved on battery life.  As an iphone user this is a really big deal.
• Not using my phone camera, has meant that I have taken my actual camera out a whole lot more.  This has meant much better quality photographs and a reinstilled enthusiasm for the craft I studied for so long.
• It has encouraged me to think about what we used to do BEFORE our phones took over.
• Not having my phone out meant that I had more time to engage with my environment.  Looking out of the window on the bus/train.  Smiling at people who look at me and smile.  Also more time watching PENNY engage with her environment.  She waves at EVERYONE! She clearly loves the interaction!
• Not knowing the time, because I don’t wear a watch.  You’d think that this is a negative, and obviously it can be, however It meant I had to pluck up the courage to ask someone the time.  A good Icebreaker, if you need one.
• On day one of doing this challenge I met new people.  On a bus, with their baby.  Fair enough, they wont be my life long friends, but it was nice to actually practice my small talk. We also got some tips of where to get miss Penny some new shoes.
• Not seeing the message from your husband telling you that your 14 year old has broken your straighteners. Thus remaining calmer for longer and not spoiling the WHOLE day. (Maybe that’s just me?)

On to the negatives now, and by negatives I mean things that may need tweaking a bit.

• Meeting up with people becomes a challenge.  Where were we meeting again? What time? I’ll just check my… oh wait a minute.
• Forgetting to be prepared and actually WRITE DOWN the info you need from a e-mail/text message/calendar before setting off.
• Not being able to use “apps” that you have become reliant on. Maps? Clock? Camera? Note-taking? Check in apps? – Preparation time is needed to avoid needing these apps.
• Not checking your messages throughout the day (If you are out for a while) tends to have a knock on effect on how much time you need to do it at a later time.

I actually found this challenge way easier than I thought I would.  I am thinking that I might need to have ‘Blogging Office Hours’ however, as it does tend to take over a little once I get home, but definitely a hugely positive thing in the long run.

Let me know how you’ve got on if you have given this a try. Is it something you can’t imagine doing? What’s holding you back? I’d love to hear from you.