DAY 1
Obviously gutted to have lost another phone. Sure it won't have surprised many of you, but am actually quite proud that this one lasted over a year and didn't meet it's sorry end down the loo...
Mostly annoyed at myself for falling into the world of iPhone dependency. Have lost all my New York holiday snaps (Helen please share yours soon) and all those awesome little lists I rely on. GRRR. At least there is one saving grace, having lost my phene so many times before I have most peoples numbers saved down on my laptop.
Moped my way home with no entertainment on the bus (this is when I normally catch up on emails, return calls and listen to some music). Spent a quiet evening at home - kept going to check my phone out of habit, sad times.
Wasn't until 11pm that it dawned on me that I had no means of ensuring that I'd wake up in time for work in the morning. First thought was 'Oh I'll just get someone to call me in the morning'... Oh dear Leonie you're really not grasping this no phone concept are you...
Hannah was back in Cambridge... what to do?? Leave my blinds open and hope that daylight does it's thing? Ask my neighbour to knock on my door when he gets up (I can hear his alarm go off in the mornings through the floorboards). Nope, that would definitely be too wierd.
I decided to launch an emergency plea on FB for help - no helpful suggestions received (thanks all). Finally figured something must exist on the internet to solve this problem. Sure enough I found an online alarm clock which thankfully did wake me up for work - although it did by way of something the US government should adopt as an effective torture method. There was defintely nothing jingly about it. Made mental note (because no iPhone Notes any more) to get myself down to Maplin to buy something that will wake me up in a less offensive fashion.
DAY 2
Noticed today that when I really need to concentrate at work I instinctively grab my phone and listen to some chilled tunes so I can zone out of the chaos in the office. Searched for something to listen to online but it just wasn't the same. Decided to try to concentrate without music for the first time since our final ACA exam. So wrong... surely I should be able to concentrate without Coldplay? Hopefully I'll appear more professional without earphones in at work but not before a few personal phone calls...
Called Direct Line, they'll replace my phone. WINNER!
Called O2, and after a bit of an arguement over whether I am a gold customer or not (too right I am after the bills I racked up this year), they'll upgrade me 3 months early on January 28th.
I could put in a claim but is there much point when I'll get the new iPhone 4S in a matter of weeks? Hmmmm. Decisions decisions.
Perhaps I should just get a cheapy pay as go for a few weeks. But I'm accutely aware that giving people a new number may really irritate/confuse people, especially my mum.
Maybe I could launch another FB appeal (hopefully more successful this time) for anyone who has an old iPhone that I can pop my new SIM in when it arrives... and then it dawned on me - did the idea of not having an iPhone fill me with that much dread?
Had planned to meet Kyle and her friends for a night of comedy at the Clapham Grand. Her email last week had said that tickets were handed out first come first served and that we should get there at 6 to make sure we got in. I accepted the invite (mostly FOMO related) and ignored the fact that I don't normally finish work til 6. Today I realised due to lack of mobile phonage I wouldn't be able to get away with letting them do the queuing whilst I was still at work and joining them at the front a little later.
I gave my boss the heads up I'd be leaving early (the concept of being on time is off his radar too) and left on the dot at 5pm giving myself a whopping hour to get to CJ. Can't remember the last time I made such a conscious effort to be on time for meeting one of my best friends, how rude of me.
I arrived at 5.45pm, despite delays at Waterloo, which was perfect because it gave me time to pick up a sandwich and the next Twilight book. Had finished the first on the way and I figured the others would also get stuck in the mess at Waterloo and I might be in for a long wait in the queue on my own. Sure enough I waited nearly an hour by which time the guys were not in the mood for comedy and I was frozen to the core. Of course having a phone wouldn't have helped me at all here as I knew they were going to be late, I just had to stay put at the agreed place and be patient (this concept is growing on me)
We decided dinner and drinks was a better option. During the evening I popped outside for a ciggie and noticed that without my phone, fag breaks are pretty boring. BUT revelationary as I had time to think and it was at this moment I decided that I was going to go phoneless until my upgrade.
I don't like what having an iPhone has done to me. Instead of using my instincts, bearings or brain it's become so much easier just to 'google' something quickly. I am ALWAYS a little bit late (although admittedly I'll never be as bad as Marie) and I need to reengage my brain and manners. And that starts by going phoneless. Exciting!
DAY 3
Floated the idea of going phoneless today... here are the reactions I got
- What if you're running late? What if I'm running late? Are you sure you've thought this through?!?!
- You'll never do it, and I'm willing to put money on it
- WHAT??? You're crazy.
- BLOG IT. (Yep I can't take any credit for that idea)
- You should get sponsored for charity
- Aren't you worried your friends just won't invite you out? (OUCH!)
- Oooooh, exciting!
- You're not insured?
- Can I borrow your charger then?
Naturally my competitive side kicked in and the pessimists only spurred me on to prove them wrong.
Met a friend for a quick dinner and cinema after work - arranged effortlessly by email during the day. This is the same friend who wanted to agree a spot to meet if I got lost... at the cinema. He went to the toilet while we were waiting for the bill and I automatically reached for my handbag and in particular my phone. WOAH! When was the last time I sat for 5mins and did nothing? Perhaps absorb the atmosphere of the restaurant? Everyone else round me had their heads buried in in their phones, playing Angry Birds no doubt.
I enjoyed a moment of joy (and a chance to gloat) when we were settling into the cinema - I wont be that annoying person who's phone goes off during the film and I don't have to turn my phone off either. That lecture is for someone else now!
DAY 4
Getting used to phoneless lifestyle now. Invited John Hardman to join me climbing this eve. Emailed to agree a time and to make sure he knew where he was going. 7pm at the Arch. Done.
I was early so snatched a few more moments with Edward Cullen and Bella Swan. John was 15mins late but that was ok, I had my book and gloves so no harm done.
Told John the idea of holding out for the upgrade in Jan. He just laughed. I think he has been subject to a few of my barmy plans over the years, and he admits he's a bit mad himself so it didn't really surprise him. Not sure he was as impressed with all the rubbish I had in my handbag though (see previous blog).
DAY 5
Had arranged to go to Winter Wonderland with Dom earlier in the week. Checked my FB and he'd messaged to say he'd pick me up (how old fashioned!) at 1pm. At 12.25 I thought I'd just pop out and pick up a parcel I'd missed the delivery of earlier in the week. I massively underestimated how long the queue would be - most of the way down Blenheim Gardens - I guess everyone is doing the same thing... Christmas shopping online but then not being home to receive the delivery. Had forgotten my book so spent painful 35mins clock watching worrying I'd be late to meet Dom. I shouldn't have worried. While I was out he'd emailed to say he'd be half an hour late... Hmph. Sensing one sided effort to be on time here. At least I wasn't stuck out in the cold this time and there was a pile of washing up with my name all over it....
We went our separate ways at about 9pm. Normally if I'd had a few beers and was out and about I'd text people to see if anyone was up to anything fun and likely to end in a hideous hangover. So instead I headed home and had a long overdue catch up with Hannah. Ran my idea past her. She thought it was a good idea and was happy to share her number with my family (she may live to regret this)
Watched a rubbish movie, headed to bed with the my book and woke in the morning feeling GLORIOUS! First time in a long time. I may have missed out on something potentially fun last night but I don't care and am feeling no FOMO at all! This is great.
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By the way my blogs won't normally be this long. I just wanted to share the thought process of why I'm doing this. From now on I'll just share the ups and downs and tricky predicaments I find myself in, in my new phoneless but brighter future!
This is awesome! Great idea