“A Life That’s Not Recorded”: 40 Things People Miss About Life Before Smartphones Took Over

Ah, the good old days. A carefree era when we were often uncontactable, and unrecorded, while out and about. What a time to be alive. As many of the replies here prove, smartphones seem to have stolen some of our freedom. And a bit of our fun.

I was lucky enough to have been part of the 'pay phone generation.' I remember a few placed around my primary school. I also remember how amazed we were when the more 'modern' version hit the streets. Suddenly you didn't constantly have to carry coins around all the time. Nor did you have to keep popping more coins into the box every time you heard the beep signalling your call was about to be cut.

You could now simply load airtime onto a card and voila, so many problems solved all at once. Boy, did we think we were cool. It was like another giant step for mankind. Never in our wildest dreams did us kids think that one day we'd be able to carry a tiny phone around with us, make a call from (almost) anywhere. And we for sure didn't anticipate being able to video call from a device just a bit bigger than that payphone card.

The closest I've come to those childhood days of being smartphone-free was when I checked into a meditation center high up in the mountains. It wasn't because of a lack of network, but rather because I was there for a 10-day Vipasanna retreat. If you're unfamiliar with the word, it's basically a silent retreat. Lots of meditation, no talking, no eye contact, no reading, and no phones.

I think that was the hardest part for a lot of the people who took part, especially the ones with kids. In fact, by the second and third day already, I watched people quietly pick up their meditation mats and pillows and slink out the door. They never returned. They had gone to pack their bags, picked up their phones and car keys from reception, and hotfooted it all the way back home.

I almost did the same at one point, but I pushed through. The whole point, after all, is to learn that 'this [insert whatever painful, uncomfortable feeling or experience] too will pass.

By the end of the 10 days, when the bell rang and we were finally allowed to speak to each other, the one thing I remember is seeing a lot of tears of relief. The other is that instead of face-to-face conversations, many people rushed to get their phones, so they call home or whoever they'd been thinking of. To check if the outside world still stood as it had when they checked in so many days earlier. God forbid, we'd all missed some massive breaking news.

I too fetched my phone. But I didn't make any calls for at least a few hours. I still remember, quite vividly, how strange the device felt in my hand, how big and bright the text on it looked, and how even owning or using a phone seemed like a distant memory, and a skill I'd need to brush up on.

I also knew that once I switched on my phone, the peace and quiet would be gone. I'd be inundated with messages from everyone who had been trying to reach me, a journalist who was expected to be contactable 24/7.

I'd be lying if I said the entire Vipassana experience was pleasant. It definitely was not. But one thing I did learn and appreciate was the immense benefit of living sans smartphone, if only for 10 days. I must admit, I'm tempted to try it again - without the 4am wake-up bells, dinners at 4:30pm, super long hours of silent meditation, and sitting still in one spot.

Of course, to me it currently seems impossible. Our smartphones have become an extension of our bodies. We panic if we think we've lost them, or if the battery is about to run flat while we are out.

According to WebMD, research shows that about 61% of people admit they’re addicted to the internet and their digital screens. While another another study found that around 25% of smartphone owners between ages 18 and 44 don’t remember the last time their phone wasn’t right next to them.

Being away from your phone isn't a bad thing. "Several social experiments found that taking a scheduled break away from your smartphone or digital device can lower your stress levels," reads the WebMD site. "It can also help you focus on the present and pay more attention to things around you."

Letting go of our phones for some time can also lead to better productivity. Who hasn't put off that task they're meant to do and instead scrolled mindlessly through social media? Our smartphones have become the ultimate accessory in crimes of procrastination.

Of course, our phones are often also to blame for keeping us up way later than we should be. "When your body knows it’s time for sleep, your brain releases a chemical called melatonin to help you relax and drift off," explains WebMD. "Staring at your phone right before bed keeps your brain alert and active and delays that melatonin release. Lack of sleep over a long period of time can affect your mood and health."

The key to your insomnia may not lie in sleeping tablets, but in a digital detox, especially before bed.

But that's not all. Experts say time spent without a smartphone can also do wonders for our physical health. "Staying glued to your smartphone for several hours can lead to eye strain, dry eyes, blurry vision, teary eyes, and headaches," notes WebMD. "You may also hunch over as you look down at the phone or screen. This can cause lower back and neck problems. Disconnecting can provide relief to various parts of your body."

Omolara Oseni writes about once doing a 2-week smartphone and digital detox. "I started the detox by suspending all social media and instant messaging apps on my phone using the Android app Freezer, which restricted all notifications and messages from the frozen apps," she explained.

"For a proper smartphone detox, I used a feature phone with just phone call and text functionality. This really took me back to the early 2000s when I didn’t own a smartphone," the journalist continued. "Since I couldn’t do anything that required WiFi or data outside of work, I did all the work that required Internet connectivity at the office."

Oseni admits the first few days were difficult, saying she constantly wanted to pick up the phone and check for notifications. By the second week, she'd broken the habit. The writer also says it was a relief to not have to always worry about charging the phone. The battery wasn't being overworked, or pushed to its limits, and lasted longer.

She reveals that as we've indicated before, she got a better night's rest. And her stress levels were lower. Oseni says this is likely because instead of scrolling through social media before bedtime, she spent the time reading. She also found she was getting more work done without the smartphone distracting her. This, in turn, added to her relaxed state.

"Prior to this, I would pick up my phone without cause to check for notifications. And when there were none, I’d scroll through my contact list and start inconsequential conversations that led nowhere," reveals the writer. "But realising this helped me focus on work, increased my levels of productivity, and made me more sensitive to my environment."

Oseni says she'd recommend a smartphone detox to anyone who feels their phone is taking too much of their time, social media is preoccupying their mind, or if they are continually and habitually reaching for their device. But she adds that it's not necessary to go cold turkey.

It’s okay to start by muting notifications and choosing when you want to check updates, advises the journalist. "It is also okay not to respond to all notifications you receive depending on their order of importance," she adds. "A smartphone detox can also mean keeping your phone out of sight when you’re at work unless it’s necessary you use it."

Oseni concludes that a smartphone detox isn’t just about avoiding something in a certain space. "For some, it gives them a chance to reflect and appraise life’s issues in an order of priority. For others, it’s a journey of self-discovery in relation to some paths of life, career growth, family, and other relationships," she wrote. "For me, it gave me the opportunity to get some rest, focus more, and be more productive."