Before this summer, I couldn’t think of the last time I spent more than a couple waking minutes without looking at my phone. We use our phones for everything—from checking the time during a boring class to sending embarrassing snaps to our friends to playing (read: losing, in my case) 2048 over and over again. Our phones are almost like the grown-up version of that blanket or stuffed animal we clung to when we were kids—entertaining us when we’re bored and giving us something to fidget with when we’re nervous or feel awkward.
But this summer, for the first time since I got my prized flip phone in 6th grade, I was without a phone for three weeks. During a summer trip abroad (an amazing experience in and of itself) my iPhone was stolen and I was left trying to remember how to text without a keyboard on the cheap flip phone I bought as an emergency replacement. As upsetting it was to have my possessions stolen, this turned out to be a huge learning experience in regards to how much I rely on my smartphone as a crutch.
And that’s why I’ve compiled a list of the 5 things that not having a phone while traveling taught me—a list of things that I think are applicable to all travelers whether or not your phone happens to be pickpocketed at a concert in Madrid.
Learn to tell North from South
Let’s just get this out of the way: I have the absolute worst sense of direction. I’ve spent 18 years living in the same city and still use my car GPS for absolutely everything when I am home. I am permanently lost and pre-phonelessness would use wifi and Google maps to look up step-by-step walking or public transportation directions whenever we wanted to go somewhere. Not having a fool-proof map at my fingertips forced me to actually look at the maps in the train stations or in the pocket guides that my mom (thankfully) made me bring. While this was daunting at first, it taught me the importance of being able to navigate by myself instead of constantly checking my phone. Not only is this a safety measure in case you are unable to use an electronic means of navigation, but there’s something oddly satisfying about looking at a paper map and knowing you’re not walking in circles.
Keep everything!
I fully understand that this will make me sound like an old lady, but I’ll admit, I made a keepsake book for my summer abroad trip. Not having a phone to take pictures of everything made me extra-conscious of keeping all the museum ticket stubs and restaurant business cards that somehow made their way in to my purse. These mementos are not only a great way of remembering the amazing mummy exhibit at the British museum or that dinner in Barcelona where you gained approximately 5 pounds, but a means of documenting your adventures in a more tangible way than a Facebook album ever could.
Ask yourself: do I really need to snapchat story that?
One of the things that initially upset me the most about having my phone stolen was not being able to Instagram, snapchat, tweet and Facebook upload the evidence of all the amazing adventures I was having. But think about it: it’s a little absurd to sit in front of some of the most beautiful monuments in the world debating whether you look better in Mayfair or L0-FI. I am as guilty of this social media trap as anyone (full disclosure: I spent way too much time arranging my meal at Cane’s the other night for maximum snap-story potential) but sometimes the best thing is to forgot how many likes you’re going to get on your photo and enjoy being in the moment without constantly needing to engage with others via social media.
Digital cameras aren’t obsolete (yet)
Unless you really enjoy photography, most of us prefer to use our phones to snap pictures instead of using bulky digital cameras. In a pinch, however, a digital camera can be a great way of taking high quality photos. An added bonus? I found that a digital camera forced me to focus more on the picture itself and less on thinking of a witty Instagram caption of funny snap to send to my friends back home. Some of my favorite pictures from my trip were taken on it because I was truly focused on capturing the memory I wanted to be able to look back on 30 years down the road.
Have a back up plan
As much as not having a phone taught me while abroad, it’s still a safety issue not to be able to contact others while you are traveling. Pickpocketing and other types of petty theft happen too often abroad (read this Onion article for light-hearted look at this phenomenon) and it only takes one moment of not paying attention to your belongings to become a victim. Especially if you are traveling out of the country or in a place where you do not speak the language, remember to memorize important phone numbers and store hard copies of important documents (such as passports and health insurance information) wherever you are staying. Consider investing in a circa 2005 pay-as-you-go flip phone and always know your address and how to get home.