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I didn't get a phone until I was 12, when I bought a Samsung Galaxy Young after saving up. Initially, I sought a non-smartphone with similar features. I used it for nine months until practicality led me to upgrade for a job. The flip phone curbed impulsive screen habits and transitioned me to laptop use. Eventually, work necessitated a smartphone for social media management, challenging my anti-convenience sentiments. The flip phone experiment reduced my phone usage significantly, offering a remedy if I revert to excessive screen time.

Staff Editor April 6, 2024 2 min read

Remember the good ol’ days when having a phone was a luxury, not a necessity? I recall the time when I scrimped and saved to purchase my first phone at the ripe age of 12: a Samsung Galaxy Young. It was a simpler time, a time when smartphones weren’t the only option on the market. I often pondered whether there existed a device that could offer essential functions without the endless distractions of a smartphone.

For nine blissful months, my trusty Samsung Galaxy Young served me well. It was a loyal companion until the day it started showing its age, prompting me to seek out a more advanced model. Little did I know that transitioning to a flip phone would revolutionize my relationship with technology. Suddenly, the impulsive urge to mindlessly scroll through apps vanished, allowing me to be more present in the moment.

While my phone usage decreased significantly, I found myself gravitating towards my laptop for entertainment and communication. The novelty of using a flip phone wore off, and doubts crept in about its practicality in my rapidly evolving life. The turning point arrived when I landed a job as a content creator for StudentCrowd in June 2022. The demands of managing social media accounts necessitated a smartphone, ultimately leading me to bid farewell to my flip phone.

Despite feeling a twinge of failure for succumbing to the smartphone era, I realized that the shift was a necessary one. The convenience of a smartphone vastly improved my ability to connect with others and navigate the digital landscape effectively. While I had initially embraced the flip phone as a rebellion against tech overindulgence, I learned that moderation is key. The experience taught me that it’s okay to adapt to the changing times while still maintaining boundaries.

Reflecting on my journey, I am proud of the strides I’ve made in curbing excessive screen time. Gone are the days of mindlessly spending hours glued to my smartphone; now, I find myself more attuned to the world around me. The transition from a flip phone to a smartphone symbolizes growth and adaptability, reminding me that change is inevitable, and embracing it can lead to newfound opportunities.