Guardian Life & Style (US) • Jan. 21, 2026, 5:25 a.m.

When I swapped my iPhone for a Nokia, Walkman, film camera and physical map, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But my life soon started to change When two balaclava-clad men on a motorbike mounted the pavement to rob me, recently, I remained oblivious.

My eyes were pinned to a text message on my phone, and my hands were so clawed around it that they didn’t even bother to grab it. It wasn’t until an elderly woman shrieked and I felt the whoosh of air as the bike launched back on to the road that I looked up at all.

They might have been unsuccessful but it did make me think: what else am I missing from the real world around me? Before I’ve poured my first morning coffee I’ve already watched the lives of strangers unfold on Instagram, checked the headlines, responded to texts, swiped through some matches on a dating app, and refreshed my emails, twice.

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