Do you remember life before cell phones? || #FelizFriday 3/15/19

Do you remember what life was like 10+ years ago, when Facebook was only a couple years old and Instagram didn't even exist yet??? How about 15+ years ago when cell phones were just starting to be affordable, small enough to fit in your pocket, and texting required you to figure out how to T9???

If you're a 100% Millennial, you may need to consult Señor Google about these "good ole days", but if you're a border line Millennial like me or wiser with age, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. Being able to go on vacation and 100% disconnecting from work back home because the only way you were able to check email was via a dial up connection at the internet cafe -- if there even was an internet cafe! 

But wait, where the heck am I going with all of this?

Instagram was down pretty much all day on Wednesday and the human race survived a whole day without it! I don’t know about you, but I was actually happy Instagram wasn’t working because I had this beautiful opportunity to 100% be off of social media simply because Instagram wasn't working and LIVE LIFE.

More opportunities to have conversations with people vs checking an app.

More opportunities to be present with Mother Nature, chasing her beautiful sunsets.

--> SHOP "Tropical Sol" <-- 

And you know what?

It was awesome. I didn't feel the urge to check in with Instagram consistently throughout the day, and as a result, checked in less with my other apps and email. And then this un-intentional phone detox reminded me of  how life use to feel 10+ years ago when we didn’t have this crazy technology to keep us “connected" all the time. How we actually were able to be more present and strike up conversations with strangers because we did not have our eyes glued to our phones.
 

Isn't it scary how all this technology that was built to connect us is helping to attach us more to our devices than have real face to face, person to person interactions?

But don't get me wrong, technology is beneficial...in moderation. It certainly has helped me build and grow a photography business here in Costa Rica, but I don't need to be glued to technology.  This unintentional detox further reinforced why I turn off my notifications when I’m on my beach walks every afternoon, only using my phone for video or a quick photo to share only after I get home. And why I need to practice more of not picking my phone up at every notification ding AND not checking my phone first thing when I wake up in the morning.  

So here’s to many more sunset walks on the beach sans dinging phone notifications and the beautiful result of being more present in life! Heck yea!

Pura Vida,