I remember that feeling of patting down my pockets before leaving home....do i have IT? It brought me back to my young life as a smoker, the only other time I patted down my pockets and panicked if I didn’t have them. Then I knew the phone was an addiction of a sort. It’s a tool, many tools actually but still if you feel oddly free without it, it’s a limb.
There's a great book called The Winter of Our Disconnect by Susan Maushart that inspired me to get rid of home internet for a year (this was before my partner and I had smartphones). It was sublime to be without internet at home, and only occasionaly inconvenient. I fantasize about getting rid of internet and smartphones, but it feels impossible now with working from home. Maybe someday.
It’s part of modern life that is impossible to say no to, but has an undeniable effect on all ages. I’d be sad too...hugs as you enter into uncharted territory with children. You’ll need to be a mama bear sometimes protecting their fragile souls from the lure of digital life. 😳❤️
It seems there’s no escaping technology. With its allure it’s hard to resist or escape: eventually it finds us. Wonderful that you had those years at least somewhat insulated from its pull— “something profound is about to be lost” well said, but hopefully they’ll also be some unexpected delight.
Every summer, we visit my aunt's cabin up in the mountains overlooking the most lovely little lake. My favorite part about this place is that there is no service, no internet. My phone goes into airplane mode the entire time we are there and is essentially just my camera for capturing the beautiful moments we share together as a family while we're there. I love it. I love not worrying about my phone. I love forgetting where it is, and not caring. As we leave and drive down the mountain, service is available again. I avoid turning my phone on as long as I can, because when we turn our phones on and hear all the pings of notifications we missed, that peace and freedom I felt on the mountain melts away under the heat of all of those cares and responsibilities and distractions. It's amazing that something that can be so helpful can also be so harmful. I think the years you have spent without it will help you to moderate your use of the internet once you have it. You'll find the balance!
Not having service or fast internet has been a sort of gift to visiting friends over the years, even if it sort of initially freaks them out. Maybe I won't tell any of them when it comes...
My word, this strikes a chord as I tap this out, the fluttering signal of my tethered phone offering the amusingly named 'hot' spot here in rural France. Fibre is 'racing' towards us; 2026 looks promising. Your resilience is astonishing ... we have just ordered a satellite solution that will enable my internet 'habit'. We could do with less, should try with less ... but ... but ... (better press {send} while I have a signal)
Two summers ago my brother bought a cabin in one of the few places left in God’s green earth where there is no internet or cell service. Going to see you shortly there, on the edge of a vast national forest and a short length from Lake Michigan was both terrifying (what will I miss while I’m not online?!?) and a relief (I can unplug entirely without guilt?!?!). After several months, he was able to get starlink service and my heart sunk. It’s fast and reliable. I wish it wasn’t there. True, i could theoretically choose to simply turn off my phone and put it in a drawer whilst there, but there’s something about NOT HAVING THE OPTION AT ALL that was a special kind of magic.
Holly, when my husband and I moved to our home many years ago in a rural part of Washington we could not get a land line immediately hooked up to our new home before moving in. I was thrilled to not be tethered by a land line. I never minded not being able to call others or receive calls. I was perfectly content going to the pay phone at a park to use a phone. And then, we got "hooked" in for our land line. I felt rather sad that it happened, and, yet, it was a necessity of life in so many ways.
We only have satellite too, and no one will probably ever run fiber to us - I feel this entire piece so hard! We have no streaming, horrible speeds, and I also have begged a friend to do Zoom interviews at her house. I’m in no hurry for thins to change though - our phones work okayish enough, and the longer I can keep the relative peace, the better ❤️ Best of luck with your big change!
"Okayish enough" is exactly how I'd describe how my phone works. Maybe I wish I could have high-speed internet for work and okayish cell service for the rest?
No, but we considered it! Because we had some assurance that the internet was coming sometime in the near future, it wasn't worth the upfront cost to set up Starlink.
I remember that feeling of patting down my pockets before leaving home....do i have IT? It brought me back to my young life as a smoker, the only other time I patted down my pockets and panicked if I didn’t have them. Then I knew the phone was an addiction of a sort. It’s a tool, many tools actually but still if you feel oddly free without it, it’s a limb.
Oof. This is a sobering parallel.
Just a joy to read this, despite needing this damn device to do so ❤️
The most patient of Zoom buddies.
There's a great book called The Winter of Our Disconnect by Susan Maushart that inspired me to get rid of home internet for a year (this was before my partner and I had smartphones). It was sublime to be without internet at home, and only occasionaly inconvenient. I fantasize about getting rid of internet and smartphones, but it feels impossible now with working from home. Maybe someday.
What a fantastic title. Definitely looking it up!
It’s part of modern life that is impossible to say no to, but has an undeniable effect on all ages. I’d be sad too...hugs as you enter into uncharted territory with children. You’ll need to be a mama bear sometimes protecting their fragile souls from the lure of digital life. 😳❤️
Yes. My boys are very young now but this is absolutely something I think about all the time.
It seems there’s no escaping technology. With its allure it’s hard to resist or escape: eventually it finds us. Wonderful that you had those years at least somewhat insulated from its pull— “something profound is about to be lost” well said, but hopefully they’ll also be some unexpected delight.
Yes, Sharon! I am really looking forward to watching films again.
There’s something to be said for well-pixelated flicks. And btw, Holly, really enjoying your thread and everyone’s comments. ❤️
Every summer, we visit my aunt's cabin up in the mountains overlooking the most lovely little lake. My favorite part about this place is that there is no service, no internet. My phone goes into airplane mode the entire time we are there and is essentially just my camera for capturing the beautiful moments we share together as a family while we're there. I love it. I love not worrying about my phone. I love forgetting where it is, and not caring. As we leave and drive down the mountain, service is available again. I avoid turning my phone on as long as I can, because when we turn our phones on and hear all the pings of notifications we missed, that peace and freedom I felt on the mountain melts away under the heat of all of those cares and responsibilities and distractions. It's amazing that something that can be so helpful can also be so harmful. I think the years you have spent without it will help you to moderate your use of the internet once you have it. You'll find the balance!
Not having service or fast internet has been a sort of gift to visiting friends over the years, even if it sort of initially freaks them out. Maybe I won't tell any of them when it comes...
I believe it! And I like the idea of not telling the guests, haha. No need to disrupt that quiet they get when they visit.
My word, this strikes a chord as I tap this out, the fluttering signal of my tethered phone offering the amusingly named 'hot' spot here in rural France. Fibre is 'racing' towards us; 2026 looks promising. Your resilience is astonishing ... we have just ordered a satellite solution that will enable my internet 'habit'. We could do with less, should try with less ... but ... but ... (better press {send} while I have a signal)
Sending strength.
That worked!!
Two summers ago my brother bought a cabin in one of the few places left in God’s green earth where there is no internet or cell service. Going to see you shortly there, on the edge of a vast national forest and a short length from Lake Michigan was both terrifying (what will I miss while I’m not online?!?) and a relief (I can unplug entirely without guilt?!?!). After several months, he was able to get starlink service and my heart sunk. It’s fast and reliable. I wish it wasn’t there. True, i could theoretically choose to simply turn off my phone and put it in a drawer whilst there, but there’s something about NOT HAVING THE OPTION AT ALL that was a special kind of magic.
The part about it not being a choice but just a fact (the offline-ness) is a special kind of magic to me, too.
*going to STAY there
Holly, when my husband and I moved to our home many years ago in a rural part of Washington we could not get a land line immediately hooked up to our new home before moving in. I was thrilled to not be tethered by a land line. I never minded not being able to call others or receive calls. I was perfectly content going to the pay phone at a park to use a phone. And then, we got "hooked" in for our land line. I felt rather sad that it happened, and, yet, it was a necessity of life in so many ways.
Yes, Mary, you say it just right! It absolutely is a necessity at this point, but I'm still longing for a pay phone in a park like you describe.
That pay phone that I used is still at the park close to our home. I smile fondly at it each time I see it at the park. Enjoy your day.
We only have satellite too, and no one will probably ever run fiber to us - I feel this entire piece so hard! We have no streaming, horrible speeds, and I also have begged a friend to do Zoom interviews at her house. I’m in no hurry for thins to change though - our phones work okayish enough, and the longer I can keep the relative peace, the better ❤️ Best of luck with your big change!
"Okayish enough" is exactly how I'd describe how my phone works. Maybe I wish I could have high-speed internet for work and okayish cell service for the rest?
Ha! This brought back soooo many frustrating (but also blissful) memories of the first time I lived in Jamaica. Thanks for a trip down memory lane!
Have you tried Starlink?
No, but we considered it! Because we had some assurance that the internet was coming sometime in the near future, it wasn't worth the upfront cost to set up Starlink.
It is a hefty buy in! Been really enjoying following along for a few months now!