Up Close and Personal

               I’ve entertained the idea of getting a flip phone. I glorify the stories my dad tells us about the days when he would entertain himself by playing basketball with his friends till dusk instead of scrolling through social media. Then I think of all the things that I would be missing if I didn’t have my phone. How would I take photos? Use Discord to text friends? look up something on the internet? I don’t think I’ll ever be able to make the switch. With a flip phone, I would still have all the essential functions that come with a normal phone: texting and calling. However, I would gain hours of free time throughout the week that I’m no longer using to scroll on Instagram. It would also limit the number of distractions that pull me away from finishing homework and most importantly I couldn’t hide behind the screen when I’m around other people. At my job as a lifeguard, we would get breaks every hour and a half or so. I despise...

  No cell service, no civilization, 50-pound pack and miles to walk. This is what my family does for fun. Thunderstorms, sweltering heat, and hordes of mosquitoes are just a few of the pleasantries I’ve experienced on these trips. Camping has its highs and lows, and yeah, sometimes lying on a beach in Hawaii sounds comfier, but I love being out there. It’s a sanctuary from the distractions of everyday life for my family to spend time together.  At home there’s always something more to do: clean your room, respond to emails, go to soccer practice, finish homework. These days, only once a week everyone in my family is around to sit at the dinner table together. Out in the wilderness all the responsibilities disappear and without phones, checking emails, texts, or social media is out of the question.                As a kid I didn’t notice the freedom camping brings, mainly because I didn’t have to. I could...