How much do we rely on technology in our everyday lives? What would a day be like sans Google, Facebook or Pinterest? These are all questions that I never cared to answer or research until my professor assigned my class to do a case study on the very topic, and participate in a technology fast.

My fast happened by accident. I wasn’t planning to spend Friday without a phone. Who in their right mind would choose to abandon their connection with the outside world on that particular day of the week? Well, my Droid Incredible 2 chose to take its final breaths late Thursday night, thus leaving me with no option. (pause for a moment of silence)

Being the optimist that I sometimes am, I turned this loss into an opportunity to complete my 24 hours without technology. On weekends I travel to State College, the sometime monotonous 1 hour and 15 minute drive is typically drenched with technology. I catch up with my friends in Nashville and listen to new music I have found during the week. However, due to the fast none of the above took place, and I can honestly say that I didn’t mind. I probably was a better driver and I listened to top 40 country radio and spent the ride asking God “Why didn’t I write that song?”

Once I reached State College I drove to my boyfriends house and luckily he was there. Otherwise, I would have had no way to contact him. I did not mind the absence of my phone or computer while with him, good company is the best distraction. I did catch myself reaching into my bag for my phone a couple of times, but my time apart from technology did not inspire any life changing realizations.

Overall, I’m very aware of my technology usage. I enjoy things like the endless scrolling feature on Pinterest and if a moment is worth repeating (or retweeting) I gladly play my role in the online society and share it with my friends and followers. For me, technology is a time filler when I’m standing in lines and a time passer when I’m hopelessly bored, and a time saver for most other situations. However, seven times out of ten I would rather have a face to face conversation than use technology. When that ratio drops below five I will acknowledge that I have a problem, but until then I will keep scrolling.