These photos are the only to I have from my time working at a summer camp from ages 16-21.

I have faith in people that we can do the things we set our minds to. Just like in school when we didn’t get our homework done our teacher simply said we couldn’t blame it on anyone but ourselves. The same applies to being attached to our phones. 

Trust me I know how hard it can be to stick with a routine. I have watched and been a part of my own failed diet, workout, studying, and other attempts to better myself, but it is possible. 

Growing up I always had a hard time sticking to something and remembering to do it everyday, like taking my vitamins or making my bed. As I got older I realized I could do it. I got glasses when I was around eight years old and everyday I remember to put them on. It was so small but that one thing gave me the ability to think I can make anything a habit if I try hard enough. Soon it becomes second nature. 

The same thing happened with my phone. When I was sixteen years old I got my first job as a swim instructor at a summer camp. The biggest rule at the camp was no phones for anyone. The phones had to be left in the car. At first I thought this would be impossible but after a while I got so used to it not being there. I let people in my life know that for eight hours of the day they couldn’t reach me. And you know what happened? Nothing. The world didn’t burn down. I made lifelong friends and memories that I will never forget even though I don’t have a picture on my phone.

I learned at a crucial time in my life that I didn’t have to rely on my phone and I have been a better person for it. 

If I forget my phone at home or it dies while I’m out, I don’t feel that sense of panic that I am missing something. Nothing important in the movies ever happened online. No epic love story started because someone liked your instagram post. If we learn to look up and make memories in the world, then maybe our attention won’t disappear. It’s our choice to be addicted to our phones and we are installing that ideal into the next generation. But we also have the power to stop the cycle. Maybe it’s time to stop blaming the tech companies for creating things that we enjoy and become addicted too. Start taking responsibility for our own actions.