Conquering my Internet Addiction..
Perhaps this is the very pinnacle of irony that I want to use the internet to help me deal with an addiction. I need to use the internet for a variety of things, so cutting it entirely isn't likely to happen. But what I want to do is have a period of 2 to 3 hours a day where I do not use the internet for anything. No phone, no computer, just me, the dog, a walk, or a book.
I will log my daily progress and write a small blurb about each day.
2:05 pm to 5:05 pm, no computer of phone. I'm logging it now to prevent myself from cheating over the next three hours. I feel like I have a rather ripe headache so I'm wondering if a cup of tea and some reading wouldn't be better at this moment.
Onward to good habits and all that.
@DaveMcGrath have you considered browser add-ons? I knew a friend in college that would block certain websites when he had to study. It only blocks them for whatever time you set it, so minutes to hours. If there are certain sites that are particular drains (facebook, YouTube, etc.), you can consider blocking these. And there is no way to unblock them; just have to ride the time out. Might help you get "bored enough" of the internet to do something else in the mean timw.
@solartea
Productivity isn't too much of an issue for me. When I need to work, I grind it out. What I want to do is make sure I have uninterupted blocks of time each and every day where I'm not on a computer or device.
And to add to that, just finished my first 3 hour block, had a nice walk with the dog and we curled up, as much as I can given I'm 42 years old and curling up doesn't work so well anymore and I had a nice 2 hours of reading and a nap.
@DaveMcGrath I understand it is not a productivity issue. My thinking was that if you had, let's say, three wbesites in particular that are the most addicting and time-sucking, you could block those for 3 hours, thus preventing you from visiting them aimlessly. If every time you automate to xyz website, and it's blocked, it might force you to do something else.
@solartea
That's something to think about for sure, thanks.
@DaveMcGrath
Wow, what a great initiative you've started for yourself! I feel this could be a great forum post to get everyone involved! I myself am very interested to try this- might do it when I get back from holidays. It's been great reading your posts, and keep it going! You're doing so well. Do you have a plan for this? Are you hoping this will continue as a life habit? Good luck! :)
And ooh, whereabouts are you in China? I'm there on holidays right now aha xx
@rebecca947
I'm up in Northern China, near the Russian border. I plan on keeping this going for as long as I can, no real goals beyond that, just want to see how long I can do it for and how I feel about it. Once I stop doing it, I'll reasses and decide what is next.
@DaveMcGrath
That sounds like a realistic goal- good luck!
Ahh, I'm Southern :p
@rebecca947
I did the Shanghai, Beijing, Xi'an, Chengdu, Kumming, Guangzhou, and Hong Kong loop about 10 years ago. Was fun. More fun for me was Pingyao in the Shanxi province, something about those ancient city walls and having the place to myself in the middle of winter that made it idylic for me.
@DaveMcGrath
Woah, I'm so jealous!! That sounded like heapa of fun- though did you have to get a lot of vaccinations done? Sounds like you might've aha
Out of curiosity, what made you wan to live and work in China? And can you speak Mandarin (or Cantonese???)
@rebecca947
When I first moved to Asia in 2008, I had 4 injections in my right shoulder and 3 in my left. Turns out I needed only 2 of them. When I traveled through Southeast Asia a few years later, I got my up to date local vaccinations at an international hospital in thailand who gave me all the stuff I really needed for the region.
I don't speak a lot of Chinese. I'm tone deaf and can't hear 2 of the 4 tones that make the language up. Which makes it quite difficult to learn the language.
Living abroad has its upsides and downsides, like anywhere else. More so when you live abroad, you realize that once the honeymoon period and excitement wears off, you are in a different country where you don't speak the language and its not longer an adventure. That is a difficult phase for a lot of people to get through, and many don't as they hide in their apartments till their contract is finish and flee to elsewhere.
@DaveMcGrath
Ouch, that would've made me slightly irritated, having to go through the pain and not even need it. But hey, safety and precautions first, I guess.
Ahh, I see. Well, you've lived in Asia for years and I'm glad to hear you're not letting tone deafness deter you from staying or doing what you want to do! :)
And very true- the honeymoon period blues is what I like to call it... the excitement ends and you're back to reality and normality. It sounds like a tough period to be in, and like you said, especially more so when living abroad.
@rebecca947
Once you get through it and learn to cope, you start to pick up on the benefits as well as the downsides. Until you get through it, its all downsides.
@DaveMcGrath
Mmm, sounds like you're speaking from experience? If you are, I'm glad you got through it and saw the benefits :) it's a great challenge to get through in life- you start to see the positives in situations!
@rebecca947
I really like noodles is all.
Today had a nice 2 hour plus block of dog walking and reading. Soon as I finish this post I'm going to hit the stationary bike for some exercise.
@DaveMcGrath Members report that participating in subcommunities has given them extra confidence, support, and has earned them great friends. Make a forum post on one of the subcommunities you have joined.
@creativeField7705
True that, thanks for the suggestion.
In this world we are living now, internet or simply mobile phone is an essential. No doubt we are hooked to it. Myself included.
@RicardoReyes
It's nice to be able to put it all aside for a set period of time. I find most things that absolutely demand my time, don't really demand my time absolutely right then. Most people are respectful of my decision to abstain from devices of all sorts during certain times of the day. The few that aren't, will just need to get used to it. I'm enjoying myself so far.
Had a 2 hour block from 7.30 to 9.30 pm. Spent most of it walking my dogs and watching the fireworks that are going off all over the place and then some for Chinese New Years.
Planned a 2 hour block yesterday from a 3.30 to 5.30. Ended up being 3.15 til about 8. o clock. Spent the evening with friends having dinner and watching the entire city go bonkers with fireworks. Good times.
@DaveMcGrath
Hi,
That's a great initiative! Good luck, you cando it. I am thinking of trying this-cutting internet hours, if I am able.
@DarkCoffee
Start small, I'm lucky that I started this on my winter holiday. With no classes to teach for a few weeks, it's easier for me.
soon as I post this, I'm gonna turn off my computer, turn off my phone, and start my dinner. Once its in the over, I'm going to walk my dog, eat dinner, clean up my scaberously disreputable living room, and go to bed early.
gon' do some reading by golly! Grapes of Wrath, started reading it on monday, want to get deeper into the story, really surprised how much I'm enjoying it now (as much as one can enjoy such a sad tale) versus how much I hated it in high school.
last night was glorious. I stayed off line after i got home from walking. I cleaned my house from one end to the other. I read a book for a while. In general, I woke up feel well rested even though I slept only about 6 hours.
Quite lovely that.
Tonight, I'm going to be offline from about 6.30 to 8.30. though, I'm going to watch 30 minutes of tv on my computer whilst riding my exercise bike. I can't stand using it and not having a means of distracting myself.
So.. 6.30 to 9.00 just to keep it realish.
As soon as I click add post, I'm going offline until I've walked my dogs, done my laundry, cleaned my kitchen, and cleaned my bedroom. Should be finished, if I chill.. which I'm totally going to chill.. in about 3 or 4 hours. Woooooo.. time to kick back and kiss my infernal internety machines goodbye for a lovely short while.