Why I Ditched My Mobile Phone

In Search Of: A phone like the one in the picture above.

Bonus points if it's an original that still works and not a replica made recently by a company wanting to capitalize on the whole "retro" fad.

Here we are, at the height of the technology boom, where 99% of the American population seems to assume that new inventions in anything with a battery are the best thing since sliced bread. Well, that train has left the station, and I'm still sitting on the bench. Actually, I'm not. I've finally gotten up and have walked away. I decided to walk to my destination instead of take the train. It's better for me and more fun.

Okay, enough with the cute idioms. The story is pretty simple. I saw no purpose to having a mobile phone. I also have no landline at the moment. We're about to move into a different apartment, so we figured we'd hold off on that. Last year when we traveled in Southeast Asia, we decided to cancel our phone plans and port our numbers to Google Voice. I used my computer to call friends and family while we were traveling. It worked out well, and I can continue to use that method to have conversations. All that's needed is an Internet connection and a computer, both of which I happen to have since I'm a small business owner.

A-ha!, you say triumphantly. So you are not completely anti-technology, Meredith! Well, no. Never said I was. What I said was, I ditched my phone. Technology can be great in some instances. And I know that many people love their phones for many reasons, all of which may be completely valid for them. I never got into the computer-phone thing anyway. I stuck with my bar phone until I had to switch providers and then bought a flip phone. I figured, I have a computer at home, so why would I want another one? I'm okay without that following me around.

Some folks name convenience as their reason for having a phone they can take with them. Fantastic! Live the life you were meant to live. As for me, I've just recently come to believe that people -- in particular, those of us in wealthy countries -- could possibly benefit from a little more inconvenience, for many reasons.

I am most enjoying my walks to my dance studio. It's almost 3 miles each way. And the entire time I get to think. And look around. And just be. My daughter is most enjoying my undivided attention when we are together. My husband is enjoying having *actual conversations* with me instead of watching me multitask while he talks about his day. Oh, and I've taken up reading again. You know, actual paper books? They are divine.

So, in summary, I ditched the phone so I could live my life. The device seemed to be interfering with that. I'm enjoying my new (old?) life. And feeling healthier every day.