Thoreau Challenge: Post #1

It’s been about a day and a half since the Thoreau challenge began. The biggest thing that I have had a challenge with so far is not resisting the temptation to use technology, but staying away from it in general. I didn’t realize until now how truly difficult it is to stay away from a television or radio. Even just sitting in the cafeteria eating, I caught myself glancing at the t.v. unconsciously until I realized what I was doing. Similarly, the radio, or some sort of music for that matter, is playing almost everywhere, it seems, at all time of the day! A lot of times you don’t even think before you do things. When I signed up to do the challenge, I knew that making it through the day wouldn’t be very difficult because I’m busy with class and work as it is. In fact, I thought that cutting out tv, the computer, and my cell phone may even make my life LESS stressful sometimes because it only takes up more time that doesn’t need to be wasted throughout a busy day. The problem that I was more concerned about was at night, after I had settled in for the night, and after I finished my homework. Last night (night #1) worked out pretty nicely because I had a test to study for. So, I spent the majority of my night in the library studying and reading after I went to the gym. Which, by the way, wasn’t the same without an iPod. Actually, as pathetic as it may sound, going to the gym and getting through my lift without an iPod actually seemed physically harder. It just made me realize how dependent I am on technology; even when just doing things like going to the gym. I could tell that it was a psychological thing but still, I felt like I didn’t have energy without my music. So, in summary, I got through the day yesterday without too much difficulty. Granted, I didn’t have much time to use technology as it was. The oncoming days, especially the weekend, are sure to pose more challenges though. I’m excited (and partially scarred) to see what kind of things (like going to the gym, which I never thought would have been affected) will be affected by avoiding technology. I have a road trip coming up this weekend that I’m looking forward to taking without the radio on though, just to see what it’s like. We’ll see how it goes! I figured I could post one update now, one towards the middle of my week, then one right before it’s over, next Wednesday.