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.
@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.
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.
