I Ditched My Phone Today
What going analog taught me about dependence.
by Katherine Schlueter ★ April 20th 2026
Photo Credit: Katherine Schlueter
I decided to leave my phone in a drawer on a whim one rainy day, and it did not go well.
At 9 a.m., my knockoff Hatch alarm clock woke me up with a ding, and I immediately reached for my phone. I caught myself mid-air like a puppet regaining consciousness. Not today, I decided.
I shook off the urge to grab my phone and headed to the bathroom to do my skincare, but on my way out the door, I still instinctively tapped my pocket to ensure I had my non-existent phone. That would persist throughout the day. I had to put something else in my pocket to calm my anxieties.
Before I walked out the door, I had to ensure I had my credit card and necessary IDs, and I checked the weather by opening the window and seeing what people below were wearing. I missed my intuition; it was nice to have it back.
Part of the ground rules I set for myself was to avoid using my phone or Apple Watch because of the constant notifications. Only my computer was ok because I needed it for class, and I can still answer texts and even scroll social media, it’s just harder to get sucked in on these devices.
I did not miss anything I thought I would. I only had one major dilemma: time. My mom’s old silver watch, which I wear for decoration, turned out to be frozen, so I had nothing to check the time except occasional clocks and opening my computer (which is not all that practical, running from class to class).
The other tragedy was my inability to listen to music as I walked. I packed my Bluetooth headphones to connect to my computer while I work because that’s what I claim I listen to music for: focus. Turns out, my Spotify addiction is largely out of a desire to drown out the noise, not necessarily of others but of my inner thoughts.
To my surprise, what I discovered when I walked with my ears open was not only the expectation of listening to other people and natural sound when I walked, but also seeing what songs popped into my head spontaneously that fit my mood. It was nice to have my inner monologue back.
When I finally got back to my room, I did reach for my phone, but not to scroll. I practically speed-dialed my mom because I wasn’t able to call her all day. Then I found myself able to put my phone back in the drawer and truly not think about it for many hours after. It was nice to feel in control again.
In our fast-paced world, we are terrified of being, well, bored. Why are we in such a rush to make time pass? What would happen if you stood in line and only considered what you wanted to order or rode up an elevator with nothing but actual elevator music? Time is precious. Is spending our lives scrolling really worth so much of our attention?
Trending Tech-less
As a recent New York Times Magazine article suggested, "Gen Z experiences this thing, anemoia: nostalgia for a time you weren’t alive.” This is manifesting in the growing desire to go analog. From digital cameras to crafting and even purchasing so-called “dumbphones,” young people are rejecting the technology they grew up on in droves.
If you want to dip your toe into a tech-light day or ditch your phone completely, an analog bag is a good place to start. This is a collection of items and/or activities you enjoy that don’t require a Wi-Fi connection.
Analog Bag Ideas
Paperback book
Fidget toy
Digital camera
Notebooks
iPod
Pens + markers
Physical cards (credit, debit, ID)
Craft (sketching, coloring, embroidery, etc.)
Is This Feasible?
This whole exercise is not meant to be continuous, and in our modern world, it is unsustainable; the purpose is to reevaluate how we use technology and discover whether it is intentional or out of pure habit.
After this experience, I would recommend not necessarily writing off the modern world and going tech-free, but rather going tech-light. This means reducing and prioritizing the technology we do use to balance our sanity and convenience, to, as Hannah Montana put it best, "get the best of both worlds.”
Edited by: Kaila Hu