By birth year I am technically a millennial, but sometimes I feel a little more Generation X. Perhaps it’s the stigma that millennials love technology, which I do –I’d cry if my laptop crashed before I remembered to back it up (and not to the cloud because ‘nobody understands the cloud’)- but that doesn’t mean I love all advancements of technology, and sometimes want to be stubborn toward them. 

Like the death of the IPod. You expect me to workout listening to music on my phone and get it all sweaty? And not expect that sweat to do some sort of damage to it? (Besides being gross.) Let alone as if my phone has the battery or storage capacity to last my work out.

Needless to say, I like some of my technology separate. I’m perfectly okay having a cell phone, an iPod, and a digital camera – with how big purses are these days, it really isn’t a hassle to have them all… And all charged so well because they’re not 1 device!

Off that rant, as much as I love my iPod and seeing exactly how many times I’ve listened to the ‘Mmmbop’ song 51 times (this year alone) (#NoShame), I also love not traveling with it, opting for physical CDs.

And there are actually some good reasons to still travel with them.

1.    Because it’s guaranteed music I like.

If I bought the CD, it’s probably because I liked it, not because I had $12 blow and figured why not. Plus the radio station plays the same 3 songs over and over between commercials you don’t care about. At least a CD is 12 songs till you start repeating again (or more, if you make a road trip mix cd).

2.    Because I bought them.

They still work; still play good music – why throw out something that isn’t broken? Just because I can store them on my music device doesn’t mean that has to be my only form of them. Part of the thrill of buying them was having something I could hold in my hands. Going through album booklets was always so exciting when I was younger, and alphabetizing my case with each new CD was enjoyable – I can’t just throw out my CDs.

3.    Because technology doesn’t agree with me.

I break electronics frequently. Having a backup for if my iPod were to break is always a good thing. While CDs are prone to skipping, at least that’s a $12 break comparted to a $120 mp3 player or phone/life line break.

4.    Because I’m forgetful.

Sometimes I forget to charge my iPod, let alone make sure it’s packed in my purse instead of lying on the kitchen table or in my gym bag in the back of the car. It’s nice to have go-to music in my car instead of having to listen to nothing (or again, those same 3 songs with those same 3 commercials). 

5.    Because you can’t leave expensive things in cars.

No one is going to break into a car for a CD. They are not the valuables that thieves and jerks seek. Even if your music player is out of view, should someone break into your car, you still know they aren’t going to steal a CD. Unless it’s something really good. So you take your music out of the car with you, and then are possibly prone to forgetfulness. 

6.    Because not all cars are equipped for mp3 players.

Often I have to drive cars I’m not familiar with and end up without a connection for my mp3 player. While many modern cars come equipped with USB plug-ins, older cars don’t. In fact, some older cars require different methods of hooking up a mp3 player, such as car cassette audio adapters (because so many cars have cassettes!) or USB-adapters that hook into your lighter plug. Instead of carrying around so many options for mp3 listening, I’ll just stick with my CDs…while cars are still made with CD players. 

Do you still travel with physical CDs? What are your reasonings? Or do you travel with an mp3 player and think I need to get with the times? 

Brianna Krueger is the Chief Editor for Wandering Educators

All photos courtesy and copyright Wandering Educators