Not having my phone on this trip has been a huge blessing and I’m glad we’re doing it. It’s always difficult to let go of something that is a constant part of your life, but letting go of my phone has been very life-giving and easier than I thought. Through these past 20ish days of no-phone, I’ve learned how to better consider my surroundings as a result of not being glued to a screen.
After our trip to El Salvador we hopped on a plane and headed back to the US. Our first stop was in Dallas, TX and ended up being our home for the next 24 hours. During any travel or airport time I’ve had before, downtime was always phone time. Oftentimes I wouldn’t have anything to do on my phone but I would try to do something just to be on my phone. Now, during our 24 hours in this airport we had no phones, but we had each other and my past few days experience has taught me that having one another is enough. It may sound weird, but I haven’t had any desire to scroll on TikTok, or look at Instagram Reels, or mindlessly watch other people videogame, but I’ve found comfort and peace in being with others.
During our time in the Dallas airport, after figuring out we were gonna spend an unknown amount of time there, we all set up camp and began to chill. This was a special time. We started getting creative playing games we knew, finding decks of cards, singing, dancing, journaling, napping and more. We drew a lot of attention to ourselves, but in a good way. It felt like being little kids again. A bunch of college kids looking each other in the eyes, talking about meaningful things, singing worship songs, playing card games, journaling and bringing God into every moment. I don’t believe times like this would happen if we were all glued to a fake unproductive screen. I know that technology is useful and provides utility to many people who need its services, but as young people it can just become an escape from reality, an escape from dealing, and talking with real humans face-to-face.
I’ve absolutely loved digital detoxing, and it has even shaped the way I view my own digital habits. I’ve learned that escaping from reality through our devices is distancing ourselves from the people God has put around us, and the people he wants us to grow with and develop communal bonds with, and when we don’t take the time to connect with those people we begin to distance ourselves from the relationships God desires for us to have.