How to Break Up With Your Phone

Using Catherine Price's book, How to Break Up With Your Phone, freshmen in Ms. Annie Matthews' English class "broke up" with their phones. The experience culminated in a 24-hour trial separation. Following are reflections from some of the ninth graders about their experiences. out on because I have been on my phone so much."

"The best part of the separation was the mindfulness I felt throughout my day. It felt like I was in an advertisement where the actor is enjoying life and being 'in the moment.' When I went back on to social media, I never realized how many things were being thrown at me..."

"I also realized that being able to have a free mind and free hands allowed me to have much deeper thought about serious topics. I found myself thinking a lot more like after just waking up or staring at the stars from behind my window before going to bed. Completing this trial ...has helped me realize that 'satisfying' my urge of boredom by picking up my phone or wanting to see what other people are doing through social media always leaves me unsatisfied and emptier than before." "I saw myself actually being a lot nicer to my family. Whenever I have my phone I just become very secluded

"Now, I feel like I could probably live without my phone. Well, this might be an exaggeration; I might need it for extremely small things, like calling someone to pick me up, but I definitely feel now that I don't need it to make my time in general, but I wonder if my relationship with my phone will deteriorate again. Overall I had a great

me feel happy."

"[This experience] makes me think about how draining using my phone is, not just time consuming, but emotionally draining, as it disconnects me from the people I care about. I feel because of the trial separation, I don't need to use my phone as often or as long as I normally control me and make me feel bad about myself. I am better off without social media than with it and all the

do. I feel more free. I now wonder what else in my life, aside from phones and electronics, are unnecessarily time consuming and emotionally draining."

"When my phone wasn't in reach, I saw myself not only spending more time with my family, but also being more in the moment instead of getting distracted by my phone. This separation made me think about everything I've missed out on and made me realize that I've never fully "Since I didn't have my phone, I wasn't distracted by anything so I spontaneously cleaned my room, learned how to play new songs on the guitar, and decided to bake more with my mom and my sisters. On the weekend, it made me think about all of the other things I have missed

"One thing I learned that I can take away from the 'breakup' is that phones are useful when you have a purpose to be using them, but they are even better at distracting you from that purpose. Once you have acknowledged that, you can bring yourself back to what you want to get done, not what your phone wants you to do."

so I don't spend time with them and I always seem to be in a mood."

"This trial has helped me manage my phone time and experience during my phone separation, and I feel that it is necessary to do this separation at least once a month to maintain a healthy relationship with your phone."

"A few things I learned and rediscovered was my selfworth, confidence, my true friendships and the blessing of the people around me. I can no longer let my phone experienced anything when my phone is in my hand."

self-comparison that comes along with it! I feel like a better person!"