Lauren Masino iExam

 This exercise had many predictable aspects to it, with a few surprising details. I had observed myself on a Saturday so it was a very relaxing day. I had gone to the mall, met with my Evergreen, gotten food from the dining hall, and hung out with my suite mates. I had realized the differences in how I acted between being in my room with my friends, and with talking to my Evergreen. Although I am the same person, there are differences in my actions and manners. There was a difference between saying hi to a friend I pass on campus, and to saying hi to the employee checking me out at the mall. One being more casual than the other. All of which was expected of myself to act in certain ways. 

My day started out by waking up, having some breakfast in my dorm and getting ready for the day. I noticed that in the morning, my suitemates and I do not talk to each other as much as we do in the middle of the day. We then went to the mall together. I noticed the difference between our casual actions towards each other and the way we speak to one another, compared to how we all change our speech a  little while talking to the employee checking us out at each store. It is interesting to see the dynamic people have when they are strangers compared to friends. 

I then came back to campus and had to meet with my Evergreen. I then noticed with my Evergreen, how I paid extra attention to what I wanted to say. I could not just say whatever I was thinking, or talk about whatever I wanted with her. We were meeting for  a purpose so I had to make sure I kept on topic. 

After my meeting, I had then taken a walk outside, for one hour, avoiding all technology. This was very refreshing and even more relaxing than my day had already been. I was able to observe nature, observe my thoughts when I am by myself compared to with others, and observe life without looking through a screen. Not having technology, my phone specifically, helped me think for myself and not read things on social media that influence my thoughts. My thoughts flowed naturally with myself in charge and not someone else telling me what to think about. I was able to watch the birds fly from tree to tree which I probably would have missed if I had my phone as I would have been on it. 

After my one hour of being technology free, I came back to my dorm room and noticed the differences in how I thought. The world seemed simpler and as if a big problem before now seemed less significant and easier to fix. Life seemed a bit more refreshed and renewed. This lifted my mood and I could tell how much peppier I was the rest of the day. 

When I went to get some dinner from the dining hall, I realized how much more aware I was around me. I was looking at life a lot more as a whole, rather than what was in front of me on my phone. 

This would be interesting to do during a weekday as I go to work and classes and interact with a greater number of people. It would also be interesting to give myself that break in the day to refresh and renew from technology. I sure it would help me greatly to do that when I start to feel frustrated during the week. I learned from this exercise that it can really help giving yourself a break from the screens.

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