"Dad told me your phone was taken off you ... I thought Mum and Dad let you join a cult. Is that a load of crap?!" - Older sister.
It's funny to see the reactions from everyone when we tell this aspect of ESM. I thought the same when I was first told about it. But, honestly, it is one of the best things about ESM.
Think about it, how much time do we spend scrolling?
How do you feel after a little detox every now and then?
Usually, people say they feel free - and that's what it's like for us!
How do you get around?!
A good thing about being in community is that you're with people who have fairly good bearings and the city is mapped out in numbers so it's pretty easy to work out street names and train lines. And, also, New Yorkers are a lot nicer than people make them out to be so if we're lost we just ask for directions.
We also become a lot more present with each other- especially on train rides- we notice more of the little things, and there's more opportunity to spend time together for a communal jam sesh. That's the best thing about no phones - more community time. Because we are not sitting in our rooms scrolling for long periods of time we are inclined to spend more personal time with others and get to know them on a much deeper level.
Let's be a clear for second.
We are not forced to give up our phones for the duration of ESM, we are asked to give it up as an opportunity to make those most of the year by immersing in the richness of community life.
The difference it makes
On holidays we get our phones so on the afternoon of Christmas Day we had them returned and the whole atmosphere of the house completely changed. It became dull. Most people were in their rooms, there was no conversation in the living room, no laughter, no music - it wasn’t like it usually is; and it made me appreciate the absence of the phone so much more!