I did something a couple weeks ago that gives people pause. You know when you're telling a story and the person across from you is in their own world, they're listening but not really? You're going on about something you find interesting, maybe your dog or that new co-worker, but then you say something, something simple and it catches their ear. They perk up, they lean in a tad, they smile if the setting calls for it, and you know you've got them. They're hooked, interested, engaged. That's the scene every time I tell someone I spent a week without texting. 7 days, not a single text*, and the reason? Well I'll get to that. But first, I decided to document the takeaways for my own sake and for anyone who's interested. Let's go.
It was a snap decision made in the middle of a Thursday evening happy hour. I didn't send any final texts or binge the night before to get texting out of my system. Nope, just a spur of the moment decision brought about by a bar-room conversation. If this seems unusual, then you don't know me. I'm always up for a challenge, especially spontaneous ones that I can chalk up as an adventure.
So what did I learn?
In a world where we have to try harder to engage someone, hook them in as I said in the opening paragraph, communication methods are king. If anyone else tries the 'No Texting' challenge, let me know. I want to hear your anecdotes and stories.
So why did I accept this challenge at all? It was just for the sake of the challenge, a personal victory. Now onto the next one...
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*Okay two texts got sent out of habit, and each was met with severe angst the moment I remembered the challenge. The first to get through was just to let a friend now I'd be a few minutes late. The second text, I don't even remember. Wasn't important. Damn habits.
It was a snap decision made in the middle of a Thursday evening happy hour. I didn't send any final texts or binge the night before to get texting out of my system. Nope, just a spur of the moment decision brought about by a bar-room conversation. If this seems unusual, then you don't know me. I'm always up for a challenge, especially spontaneous ones that I can chalk up as an adventure.
So what did I learn?
- Texting serves a very valuable purpose: logistics. On the first day of the challenge, a friend needed to get my address. Since he was driving, he wanted me to text him the info so he could just 1-click his way into Maps. I couldn't do it. I wasn't about to break in the first 24 hours. So, I asked the first person I could find (a co-worker) to text my buddy from her phone. It made the girl smile, and my buddy, never surprised by things I do anymore, was hoping she was cute and this would be the start to a hilarious "so how did you two meet" story. It wasn't.
- I have friends, good friends, and people I just sorta like. Since I didn't let anyone know about the challenge beforehand, texts kept coming in. I quickly learned which people I felt comfortable enough with to call back, and which people I decided would wait a few days for a response.
- Dating is actually easier without texting. Texting has ruined the art of dating, or at least changed it significantly. When you first meet someone new, you now have to decide: should I text just for logistics? Do they want to have conversations over text? How long should I wait to text? My texts are longer than hers, what does that mean? Should I use an emoticon? Did my text go through? Should I ask her out via text or is that weak? By taking texts off the table, suddenly I found myself more in control of dating. Granted it was only a week, and it's not like I have a huge sample size, but having a fun excuse for why I was calling took away the pressure, and catapulted the girl(s) out of their comfort zone. I found I wasn't stressing by the phone, wondering how my texts were being perceived. I was having conversations, making plans, then moving on with my day.
- Being present is so damn cool. There is nothing cooler than being 100% present with the people around you, or yourself if you're alone. I can't say this one enough. I learned how many times I wanted to text someone while I was already with people, and by not doing so, I got more out of my time. It's just so damn cool to be present.
In a world where we have to try harder to engage someone, hook them in as I said in the opening paragraph, communication methods are king. If anyone else tries the 'No Texting' challenge, let me know. I want to hear your anecdotes and stories.
So why did I accept this challenge at all? It was just for the sake of the challenge, a personal victory. Now onto the next one...
_____
*Okay two texts got sent out of habit, and each was met with severe angst the moment I remembered the challenge. The first to get through was just to let a friend now I'd be a few minutes late. The second text, I don't even remember. Wasn't important. Damn habits.