Did you miss me?
After 7 days of fasting, I am back online now. I must confess I did get online and look at e-mail and some blogs on Thursday night (but my good reason is below, keep reading).
John asked in the comments on my last post why I did this computer fast. I can honestly say, it had become apparent to me that too much of my day was consumed with being online. I needed to see how much was going undone in my life. It wasn't clear if it was my computer or me that was controlling my time.
I discovered that I do need the connection and intellectual stimulation I get from blog reading. By Thursday, Bruce told me I was wearing him out with all of my talking. After spending the day with Charlotte and no computer, he was my only outlet. And after his long day teaching 9th and 11th graders, it was too much. (The main reason I broke fast on Thursday night for about 45 minutes.)
I also discovered though, that most of the e-mail I get doesn't need to even be read. Out of over 200 e-mails in the week, I deleted at least 150 without even reading them. I really need to start unsubscribing to some of these companies. And I've got to take some blogs out of my reader. If I comment, your blog is safe, otherwise, gotta pare that list down again (currently at 79).
Going forward, my plan is to take 2 days off a week from being online. Not consecutive mind you, but probaby Tuesdays and Thursdays. This will help me get more accomplished around the house and feel less controlled by my desire to sit down at my computer. Of course, I might still schedule posts for those days... I still need to share my photos and stories of Charlotte! She is after all, the reason I started this blog.
So, did you miss me?
John asked in the comments on my last post why I did this computer fast. I can honestly say, it had become apparent to me that too much of my day was consumed with being online. I needed to see how much was going undone in my life. It wasn't clear if it was my computer or me that was controlling my time.
I discovered that I do need the connection and intellectual stimulation I get from blog reading. By Thursday, Bruce told me I was wearing him out with all of my talking. After spending the day with Charlotte and no computer, he was my only outlet. And after his long day teaching 9th and 11th graders, it was too much. (The main reason I broke fast on Thursday night for about 45 minutes.)
I also discovered though, that most of the e-mail I get doesn't need to even be read. Out of over 200 e-mails in the week, I deleted at least 150 without even reading them. I really need to start unsubscribing to some of these companies. And I've got to take some blogs out of my reader. If I comment, your blog is safe, otherwise, gotta pare that list down again (currently at 79).
Going forward, my plan is to take 2 days off a week from being online. Not consecutive mind you, but probaby Tuesdays and Thursdays. This will help me get more accomplished around the house and feel less controlled by my desire to sit down at my computer. Of course, I might still schedule posts for those days... I still need to share my photos and stories of Charlotte! She is after all, the reason I started this blog.
So, did you miss me?
I have told my husband before, if we had more common interests I might not feel the need to interact more on-line. Using the internet is also a resource for recipes, curriculum, shopping, and u name it!
ReplyDeleteYes I MISSED YOU!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I missed you and YIKES - it's been over a week then and I haven't replied to your email! I wasn't in a rush because I knew you were "fasting" and now here you are back - ugh! I'm so much better at reading emails than writing them!
ReplyDeleteLook for a reply!
yes, yes, yes, yes...
ReplyDeletebut I will say, the week flew by out here!
I can sympathise with trying to cut out time-intensive activities. With me its reading news sites (local, international, computer). I've realised I can waste hours a night doing that. I've had to deliberately go 'no news' sometimes when I had other things going on for particular times.
ReplyDelete