Two-thirds of Americans own a smartphone. Two-thirds.
That makes me feel so many different emotions. I realize just how fortunate we are in America – to have access, connection, wifi – anywhere and everywhere. Two-thirds of Americans can afford a phone that, on average, probably costs $200. Not to mention the data plan that goes along with it.
The amount we, as Americans, spend on smartphones each year could probably feed a small country. Forever. Okay, that’s most definitely an exaggeration (maybe), but still.
Trust me, I get it. I’m one of those Americans who does in fact have a smartphone. We, as a society, are attached to our phones. In far too many ways, life here would be difficult, if not impossible, without one. When did that happen?
Before training camp, I was one hundred percent bringing my phone on the race. I knew they were going to try to talk me out of it, but it wasn’t going to work. I wasn’t even bringing it for the ability to communicate – I needed the alarm clock, the calculator, my music. Even after I left camp, I was still going to bring it.
Soon after I returned home from training, I started to imagine life on the race. I started to forget that I needed to actually charge my phone to use it. I would read a text message and respond mentally, but never actually press that send button (sorry friends).
A fellow racer challenged the rest of us with the following questions:
- When else will I get the opportunity to live life without a phone? (Probably never)
- Will I grow more with or without it?
Technology and electronics might possibly be the hardest thing to leave at home for most racers. It can also be the easiest thing to justify “needing.” But this trip is about being uncomfortable in all areas of life, not just from sleeping in a tent and taking bucket showers.
So I changed my mind and I changed it completely. I am not bringing my phone on the race. No music, no instagram, no smartphone. The only forms of technology coming along are my laptop (for blogging and logistics), my kindle (because books), and my camera.
I want to be entirely present with the people on my team and the people on my squad. Come September 7th, my phone will be turned off and flown back to Houston with my parents to be stored in some random drawer, collecting dust until my return.
I don’t want to look back on the race and not remember the children’s faces because I was too busy looking at them through my smartphone. I don’t want to look back and not remember how food at the local restaurant tasted because I was too busy connecting to wifi on my smartphone. I don’t want to look back and not remember the smallest of details because my smartphone got in the way.
Many associate not bringing a phone with not being able to communicate, but that is not the case. So don’t worry, you can still contact me!
Whoever you are, please contact me. Send me bible versus you think I might need to hear, prayer requests for you and loved ones, the exciting news you found out and want the world to know, the new job you just accepted, or random stories about your weekend. No email is insignificant and I will absolutely appreciate every single one! Hand written letters might be one of my most favorite things in the world and since I can’t receive mail, typed letters are going to be the next best thing.
Here’s how you can reach me:
- Email me at [email protected]
- iMessage me through my phone number (you’ll never even know I don’t have a phone!)
- Facetime/Skype (on the rare occasion the internet is strong enough! my Skype name is rosie.schneider910)
- Read my blog and post comments (don’t forget to subscribe here!!)
- Facebook (my least favorite, but better than nothing!)
Some months, we will have great access to wifi and some months, we won’t have any. So give me grace when I don’t respond right away. I will absolutely love to hear from all of you throughout the year.
I fly to Atlanta on Saturday!!! Less than 48 hours. I can’t believe the time has come and launch is actually here.
I think it’s time I get packing.
