A Bit of Background

I had owned my phone for four years; it was a gift from an uncle I hadn’t seen in years. Although it was an older model from the Samsung Galaxy series, I appreciated its functionality and large screen, which helped mitigate my migraines.

Three years into using it, I noticed the battery was beginning to fail. I visited a phone shop to inquire about a replacement battery, but the shopkeeper informed me it wasn’t in stock and suggested I wait for an order to arrive.

Despite my efforts to replace the battery, I had no significant issues while traveling until that fateful Saturday night when I realized my phone had reached the end of its life cycle.

What Happened Next?

I ordered a new phone from my service provider, knowing the cost would be added to my monthly bill. However, I didn’t receive a confirmation email, prompting me to visit their office the next day.

Despite the dreary weather on Sunday, I donned my winter gear and headed to the city center. As I walked, I wondered how people managed to get used to such cold. While approaching my destination, I noticed many people skating, which offered some clarity.

At the service provider’s office, I lodged my complaint. They assured me that my transaction had gone through, and I should expect delivery the following week.

Consequences of Being Phone-less

My husband was the first to feel the impact. He had grown accustomed to being able to reach me at any moment. In my absence, he faced an emergency and had to handle it on his own.

For the first night, I still had access to WhatsApp Web on my computer. However, by the second night, it could no longer detect my phone and logged me out. WhatsApp was my primary means of communication, and without it, I was cut off from my friends.

I sent SOS messages via Facebook to those who were online, but for others, we were in a communication limbo until further notice.

A realtor I had been trying to contact finally left a voice message on my dead phone, but without his number. Every time my computer restarted, I was logged out of my accounts, and two-factor authentication linked to my phone prevented me from accessing my Google emails.

I had scheduled a meeting with a new business partner for that Tuesday, but without my phone or email to remind me, the meeting never happened. Additionally, I was locked out of my crypto wallets, and I couldn't find my wallet backup.

During the frigid weather, I typically relied on Uber, but without access to the app, I was forced to take the bus, enduring the cold.

At night, when darkness fell quickly, my phone was my safety net. Without it, I felt vulnerable in unfamiliar areas. Furthermore, my French mastery class was missed, causing me to fall out of the diamond league.

Since the issue was with the battery supply, I lost important data that I hadn’t backed up.

Did I Get a New Phone, and at What Cost?

Between Monday and Tuesday, I received an email stating that my new phone would be available for pickup at a nearby postal office. The convenience of online shopping meant I wasn’t looking forward to going out in the cold for my new device.

Upon receiving the postal notification, I couldn’t call the phone company to express my frustrations since I had no phone. Instead, I searched for the pickup location on my desktop and wrote down directions.

On my way back, I faced a long wait for the bus, all while clutching my new phone in my gloved hand. By the time I got home, I was freezing and soon woke up with sniffles, a congested chest, and other cold symptoms.

Final Thoughts

When I returned to work after my phone debacle, my boss asked how it felt to be without one. I paused, reflecting, and replied, “It’s strange and quiet. Life is simpler, and it indeed goes on. I could probably live without a phone, but my relationships wouldn’t allow it.”

As I set up my new phone, I made sure to back up my data more strategically and took note of the online accounts linked to my Google account. I wasn’t eager to announce my return; I still craved the peace that came with disconnection. Plus, with a cold, sharing my experience was the last thing on my mind.

I Mastered One Habit: It’s Given Me the Confidence to Master Another.

From learning French to conquering my board exams.