Where Is My Time Going?
Every once in a while, I take a break from being completely-connected, hyper "on" the Internet and find it a blessed relief.
Well, not for the first day. That day is riddled with anxiety. I'm sure I'm the missing the new cool thing. I'm sure if I don't trash-talk with friends on Twitter, they'll forget about me, or worse, think I'm not savvy enough to hang out with. And let's face it, I miss those friends like crazy and wonder what/how they're doing. I take the edge of that first day by reading and keeping up with my other job, aka hoome, hearth & family.
Then the next day, I find myself diving into my research books. Anything to keep thinking about the Internet. The second day has circular thoughts of, "I'm so far behind, I'll never catch up."
By the third day, the relief of not having to stay up-to-date with everything has kicked in. And, most importantly, the story percolating in my head from the two days of reading is now in the active mode of "what-ifs". I'm feeling good.
The upshot of such a detox is I go through my Twitter followers and my Google Reader and cull what I'm reading. I slowly let the Internet back in. Life stays manageable for a while.
Then the creep starts. Someone will mention a piece somewhere. I'll read it, find it interesting, and add that blog to my Reader or that person to my Followers. And it goes on. Soon, I'm spending more and more time attempting to keep abreast.
The reset follows when I go cold turkey without the Internet. And thus, the cycle continues. Today, is my cull day.
Romanistas, am I the only one here with Internet mood swings, or do you find yourself in the same rocky, leaking boat?
Posted on:
4/19/2009 07:13:00 AM
3 comments:
Ha! Do I get the Golden Rooster? Oh, that's right, that's the OTHER blog.
Hiya Keira! The problem is when you're not line, I miss ya, bud! But I think you're right that it's healthy to get away from the computer for a while. When I go away (I don't have a laptop so it gives me a break from constantly being at a keyboard), I get those anxiety feelings you're talking about at first. Then it ends up being a blessed relief that I don't have to be looking at a screen the whole time. I come back determined to be free but as you say, it comes creeping back in.
I will readily admit that if I go a day without accessing my e-mail, I feel like I'm cut off from the entire world!
Glad to know that there are other deprived, obsessed souls like me.
See, Trish, I think you're incredibly organized so perhaps you're able to keep your habit under check. Perhaps you have it scheduled into your day when and for how long you'll spend doing what online. With me...um, it could take up an entire day. Eek.
Fo, for being the first, you get a *mwah* from me. Not the Golden Rooster but a Hearty Kiss (HK).
It's the creeping back in of the old habit that's what I don't know how to keep in check. Tips, anyone?
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