The Unplug Challenge

So a few days ago I decided to log out of technology for 24 hours.  I did it partially to prove to myself that I could do it and partially because there was a group of us who took the challenge together—the unplug challenge that is.  During the 24 hours, I keep a log of how I felt without compulsively checking my email, texting, listening to my iPod, checking facbook or our Alpha Chi website, or watching TV.  This is what I came up with:

8:30 p.m.: Went to bed without calling or texting anyone in order to feel rested when I got up early to study (Still recovering from Houston)

5:15 a.m.: Studied while ate breakfast instead of getting on computer

8:00 a.m.: Realized I had saved so much time not using my social media; felt proud of myself

8:15 a.m.: Realized I did not have any good morning texts because my phone was off; felt a little sad

9:50 a.m.: Walked to see Brendan instead of just texting him

10:37 a.m.: Couldn’t call the woman I volunteer with to tell her I was running late because I couldn’t use my phone; felt frustrated

11:30 a.m.: Couldn’t use the Internet to browse despite having a computer at my volunteer site; felt unproductive and irritated

12:30 p.m.: Felt bored that I could use the computer for volunteer work but not for my own personal use

1:55 p.m.: Felt frustrated that I couldn’t text Brendan to tell him I was running five minutes early for our walk

2:05 p.m.: Felt frustrated that Brendan was running five minutes late for our walk

3:45 p.m.: Completed a walk with Brendan to the IMA 100 acres and felt surprisingly relieved not to have my phone

4:30 p.m.: Felt wonderful to have a face-to-face discussion with the honors thesis coordinator instead of just an email conversation; also enjoyed meeting her 2-year-old daughter

5:15 p.m.: Felt excited for the Butler Catholic Community dinner with everyone else who had taken the challenge to discuss what it had felt like

7:00 p.m.: Thoroughly enjoyed the BCC dinner and loved not having to eat Alpha Chi food; left wishing Friday night BCC dinners could become more of a regular occurrence

7:30 p.m.: Went to Target with Brendan on a date night – was great not to have our phones distracting us

8:30 p.m.: Checked my phone for any emergency situations and watched The Office with Brendan for several hours

Overall, I loved not being connected; I’m seriously considering making it a bi-weekly occurrence.