3rd March, Friday (Use your phone day)
My phone is my alarm clock so I woke up and the first thing I did was to reach for my phone and stop the alarm. Then I checked for any new messages on Whatsapp and Telegram before washing up.
I had to run some errands in the morning and I was in a rush so I used my phone to book for a ride on Grab car. I had a friendly chat with the Grab hitch driver but when I used my phone, mainly for messaging, I noticed that the driver would stop talking to me upon seeing I was busy with my phone.
After I was done with my errands, I took the MRT down to school. I forgot to bring my earpiece so I was unable to listen to music while travelling. Instead, I used it to surf social media sites like Facebook and Instagram (mostly instagram), VSCOcam to edit photos, Whatsapp and Telegram to contact my friends and also Safari to browse and read up on research materials for school work.
When I was at school, I mainly used my laptop to do work/consultation and had applications like telegram and Whatsapp web to contact friends and family. I did not really have to use my phone since everything I need to contact people and for work is on my laptop. Furthermore, my phone was running out of battery, thus I left it somewhere to charge.
On my way back, I had to buy yarn and wool but was unsure where to get them from. Thus I used my phone to search for shops that sells those materials. Apart from that I used my phone as mentioned above; social media sites like Facebook and Instagram, communicating applications like Whatsapp and Telegram.
Throughout the day I also used my phone’s calendar app and alarm to remind myself of tasks to accomplish or appointments.
In general, I observed that people commonly use their phones for social media sites, texting, music and also to watch videos or dramas on their phones. These people are usually people below the ages of 35 years old. Older people are less seen to be using their phone for entertainment purposes.
4 March 2017, Saturday (No Phone day)
I woke up with the alarm going off as usual. My phone is my alarm (sadly), thus I had to use it a little for this purpose on this day as I work on Saturdays. I decided that in order prevent myself from using my phone, I decided to not bring my phone out. I wore a watch to keep track of time since I will not have my phone to check time.
While on the train, I simply thought about stuffs like things to do for the day and also focused my attention on other passengers. For example, a couple who was sitting directly in front of me. I don’t mean to stare but since I have nothing to distract myself from, I found myself looking at them interact. When I realise how much I’ve been staring I try to turn my attention away.
I got to work a little earlier and since I did not have my phone with me, I took out my laptop instead to do some work. After work, I had to get some wool and yarn (again) so I went to spotlight at Plaza Singapura. However, as I was looking for a specific type of wool and was unable to locate them in the stall, I wanted to ask the staffs for help but realised I didn’t know what it is called. I had to reach for my laptop and attempt to connect to the free wifi at Plaza Singapura and googling for the name and image all the while standing and resting the laptop on one of my arm… How I wish I had my phone with me at that point of time. It would have made my life so much easier…
Finally I found the materials I needed and left for home. I took the bus back and since I did not have my phone with me, I fell asleep on the bus instead of using social media apps and what not.
When I got home, I cheated and went to check on my phone for any messages. I simply had too much work to do to not use my laptop and waste the day away so I had to turn on my laptop and start working on school work. However, I try to not use my phone as much as possible.
It was honestly a rather liberating feeling to not have your phone with you all the time. It relieves me of the pressure of being constantly contactable and made me engage with my surroundings more. However, there were many times I felt slightly bored without it to entertain me and keep me occupied. The greatest inconvenience I felt without a phone or electronic device is the inability to do work. Since most things are digitalised these days and as a visual design student, it is near impossible to stay away from electronic devices if you want to be productive or if you have work on hand.
If I had nothing on hand, free from the burdens of life, I think I would thoroughly enjoy the experience of not having to use electronic device for a period of time.