There’s text messaging, Whatsapp, BBM, Viber, Snap chat, Skype, Facebook and a million other applications that make it easier for you to stay connected and make it harder to disconnect, removing you from the constant flux of social demands. And, then, there is the one simple way to make it all happen -- you lose your cell phone.

Think about it, then let the thought sink in and imagine the peace and serenity that would exist in your life without the constant buzzing and ringing -- each minute ring announcing a notification from a different application.

And, even if you aren’t a smart phone addict like most, not starting your morning with the phone ringing non-stop with promotional messages from your network has to be a relief. They start at 7 in the morning and continue endlessly: Do you want to change your caller song to ‘Baby doll’? Or, maybe enlist in the new Hajj/Umrah package deal that is being offered? Better yet why not just message 888 or 555 continually and win copious amounts of money? They seem to have it all.

Call me anti-social but I rather enjoyed being away from it all. The perfect excuse to ignore everything and everyone. The best part, however, is convenience. Cell phones offer this constant distraction in the form of social interaction. You’ll be reading a book, watching a movie or working; yet you are checking your phone every few seconds, uploading on Twitter, checking in on Facebook or just receiving unwanted calls (and, yes, I do mean prank callers calling and saying, "Aap se baat karni hai, naam toh batayen!").

Without a cell phone I can easily finish whatever it is that I am doing and then get back to the social interactions.

I always feel guilty when I see a message or a call and ignore it on purpose; so it’s something I avoid doing.

While this might be self-imposed but not having a cell phone freed me from that constant strain this whole past week. If I wanted to talk to someone I would get home and call them from the landline instead of having a discreet, whispered conversation at the office or a distracted one where you are itching to get back to your other activity.

As selfish as I might sound, it allowed me to do things at my own pace without the nagging guilt of ignoring people on purpose.

Staying away from Facebook was a treat, too. The ‘forced’ pictures of fun, weddings, baby and promotion announcements etc. At times it feels as if we’re constantly strengthening the facades we want the world to see as -- focusing too much on the image we create of ourselves, trying to share every moment instead of just living it.

And, yes, I can see the eyes rolling and I can hear people go, "Well, then, deactivate your account and stop judging us!" But, hey, how else would I be able to stalk all those people I never get to talk to and feel better about my own life? It works both ways.

Of course, being a phone-less hermit has its disadvantages, too. A week of retirement was more than enough because when all is said and done we are very much ‘social animals’. Eventually, I was screaming for a new phone.

Imagine all the Whatsapp conversations I missed out on, and all the emails I checked too late, and all the irritated friends calling my brother to find out where I was. And, all the times I stood awkwardly waiting outside a restaurant or a friend’s place, waiting for someone to arrive. It’s a hassle -- one I would rather do without.

(Note: The writer does not have as many friends as the article makes it look like.)