Living Without a Smartphone: A Personal Account
Elias Graca, a 28-year-old from Michigan, made a spontaneous decision to live without a smartphone during a visit to his sister in Pittsburgh. In April, he was given a basic TCL flip phone, typically used as a temporary replacement for a broken phone. This decision was not prompted by a dramatic moment or excessive screen time, but rather by a realization during his busy life as a law student at the University of Michigan.
Despite deleting social media apps and trying to reduce screen time on his iPhone 13, Graca found himself still spending hours on his phone each day. The breaking point came when he struggled to focus on studying, feeling the urge to check an app to see how a friend had performed in a marathon. This led him to switch to the simple flip phone, as he believed it would help him focus better, especially since he had recently been diagnosed with ADHD.
Transitioning to the TCL flip phone felt like stepping back in time for Graca. He had to transfer music files manually, plan routes in advance, and carry physical books and a camera, as the phone’s camera quality was poor. One surprising observation was how hesitant people were to call instead of text, as texting had become the norm in communication. However, when calls did happen, they were more efficient and meaningful, highlighting the value of direct conversation.
Being phone-free in public spaces allowed Graca to engage more with his surroundings. He noticed the prevalence of people immersed in their devices and felt a sense of liberation by not being part of that crowd. Without a map on his phone, navigation became an adventure, sometimes leading to getting lost or relying on others for directions. Despite the challenges, he found joy in the experience and a new perspective on how technology impacts our daily interactions.
Struggling with basic logistics in a digital world led me to rely on analog methods that required me to carry more items. My essential cross-body bike bag was always filled with a pen and paper for quick notes, a physical train card instead of digital payment, and a bike map that I rarely used but felt incomplete without. Transferring music files from my computer to my flip phone had to be done manually.
Living without a smartphone meant facing challenges like dealing with QR code menus at restaurants and using two-factor authentication apps for school accounts in areas with poor cell signal. I often had to go to specific spots just to access online portals.
Despite missing out on social media and news alerts, the thing I missed the most was listening to podcasts. The absence of my daily podcast routine made me feel disconnected. Although my dad gave me an old radio, carrying it around seemed too burdensome.
While I missed being up-to-date with breaking news and having information at my fingertips, I didn’t miss the constant checking for notifications, phantom vibrations, and getting lost in time-consuming online rabbit holes.
When I returned to using a smartphone after a two-month break for a camping trip, I immediately fell back into old habits. The experience made me realize the importance of embracing moments of boredom instead of constantly seeking out distractions in a world designed for instant gratification.
Reconnecting with smartphone technology also brought back familiar patterns of compulsive behavior. Even as I try to focus on collecting my thoughts for this essay, the urge to check something for stimulation remains strong.
Switching back to a smartphone for practical reasons during a camping trip highlighted the challenges of maintaining a minimalist approach to digital technology in a world that encourages constant engagement.
The flip phone experiment taught me that boredom is not a problem to be fixed but rather a space to be embraced. However, opting for that space requires ongoing awareness and effort in a society geared towards immediate satisfaction.
