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Here's An Idea: Leave Our Phones At Home More Often

It's healthy to disconnect every once in a while.

Renée Kennedy

Mar 12, 2019

National Writers Society

231

Here's An Idea: Leave Our Phones At Home More Often

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Throughout my life, my parents have constantly ridiculed me and my sister for being on our phones. Growing up, I never really understood why they would get so mad. Obviously, I HAVE to continue my Snapchat streak and my friends are going to wonder where I am if I don't text frequently in our group chat.

But, do I actually have to? Like, do I really?

The answer is always no. You never really HAVE to do anything on your phone. Unless there's an emergency, your friends will survive if you leave your phone at home while you go out to dinner with your family.

This generation is so accustomed to instant gratification. Responding to a text right away, receiving a notification every time a person liked your picture on Instagram. It never used to be like this, technology has never been as advanced as it is today.

When I was in middle school I had a flip phone that required you to buy "minutes" for. My parents had complete control over how much I would text because they were the ones buying the minute cards. In today's society, children in elementary school have the latest and greatest iPhones and it's completely changing the way they're growing up.

You can't tell me it's not relieving to leave the house without your phone.

Your stress level is instantly decreased. No one is trying to contact you and you have no obligation to anyone. When you leave your phone at home, you can just be at peace with yourself for once without 10 notifications popping up and interrupting your train of thought.

When you leave your phone at home, you will notice more things. It's easy to be oblivious to the world while your face is buried in a screen and your brain is elsewhere. When you don't have your phone you notice details about people, places and situations that you may not have noticed before. When you don't have your phone to hide behind, you are forced to interact with people as you go about your day.

Human interaction is one of the most important things in life and you'll never be fully "there" if the little rectangle in your pocket is constantly vibrating.

So take a moment and look up. Look out the window, take in the world around you. Disconnect from technology and reconnect with yourself.

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Here's An Idea: Leave Our Phones At Home More Often

It's healthy to disconnect every once in a while.

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We don't buy into these... just like how we don't buy our friends.

8. "The whole philanthropy thing isn't real, right?"

7. "I don't need to buy my friends."

6. "Oh, so I'll bet you love to drink."

5. "Can you tell me some of your secrets?"

4. "What do you do at your meetings?"

3. "Do you guys haze really badly?"

2. "Is it just like in the movies?"

1. "Sororities are so basic."

There are plenty of obstacles that come when taking care of kids, but it's a very rewarding experience.

1. You get excited when the parents purchase season passes to the pool.

2. You've become friends with the stay-at-home moms in town.

3. You get a chance to eat "kid foods" again.

4. You've traded in your cute purse for a large tote bag.

5. You have at least one car seat in your backseat.

6. Their nap time is your happy time.

7. Lunch time can be a disaster.

8. You have to play the same board games repeatedly.

9. You catch yourself using the same lines your parents once told you.

10. Your "mom-mode" kicks in at times.

11. Your heart melts a little when they do something cute.

You'll never find any souvenirs with your name on it

1. You know you are up next when the teacher pauses while taking attendance

2. When “I’m going to do my very best to make sure I know all your names” is said, it may or may be an empty promise

3. “Wow! That sounds so cool! Where is your family from?”

4. You dread when people ask you to repeat your name over and over because it “sounds so cool when you say it”

5. There’s a 50/50 chance that your name will come back either correct or incorrect at Starbucks

6. People try to find shorter, easier nicknames for you instead of calling you by your actual name

7. When someone famous or fictional character shares your name, you get so happy

8. “What’s your name?” “It’s [name]” “I’m sorry, what was it again?”

9. You’ve pretty much seen every misspelling and heard every mispronunciation of your name throughout your life

10. When you find another person with an “ethnic” sounding name, you both get excited

11. Despite the struggles, your name is pretty unique… just like you

Can I be excused for the rest of my life?

Don't Be That Person

1. “Oh, so you/your family are immigrants!”

2. “Is Puerto Rico near Mexico?”

3. “Do you speak Puerto Rican?”

4. “You look too light/dark to be Puerto Rican.”

5. “Do I need my passport to go to Puerto Rico?”

6. “Geez, you are obsessed with your flag. We get it, you’re Puerto Rican.”

7. “Why are you so loud?”

8. “So does your family know English?”

9. “Oh my god, Puerto Ricans are so spicy.”

10. “So did you eat a lot of tacos?”

11. “Are you Mexican?”

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