Offline, for a Change

Remember a while ago when I said I was going to do something radical one of these days? I think I have begun it, though perhaps not quite in the way anyone could have expected. I suspect this is the first phrase of a much longer journey.

I no longer have the internet at home. That's it for me: cold turkey. And no, I don't have an iPhone.

Lest you think I am not qualified for such a bold move: I haven't had a working television since 2000, except for one short stint in 2004 to watch the Olympics.

Lately I've been realizing that I spend way, way, way too much time on the internet, and most of that is wasted time. I'm not quite ready to say I'm addicted, but it worries me that I lack the willpower to create moderation.

I have tried setting a timer. I have tried limiting myself to just doing 3 things. I have attempted "unplugged weekends." All without success.

I should say I have no problem being away from the computer when I'm away from home. It's just that when I am at home, I have trouble resisting the urge to go online. Once I'm on, hours slip by while I do little more than the equivalent of channel surfing.

When it comes to the internet, I am definitely someone who can't eat just one cookie, or buy just one pair of shoes, or have just one drink. Although I have no trouble doing any of those things!

I had a revelation the other night, while talking with a friend. I mentioned something that I'd done, and he said, "You didn't tell me about that" and I said, "Well, I blogged about it." And then I thought, that is just so wrong.

Meanwhile, I want to write, create, read, exercise, and garden more, and spend more time with the people, places, and causes I care about. I want to have more of a real life. Yet I am challenged to find or make the time to do that.

I intend to keep blogging here and at my new nature blog. I know I will have to be more organized, making plans ahead of time for the things I need to do. I won't be able to Google up directions at the last minute. I will have to carry the laptop around more often. It is probably going to be a major inconvenience while I adjust to my new, disconnected reality.

I am sure this will be a major adjustment, because so much of life these days takes place online. I hope, though, that once the drama of withdrawal is over, I will be more deliberate and intentional about my internet use, and that with the extra free time, my real life will flourish.

I think giving up the internet is going to make me happier and healthier in the long run. And it will probably provide some good blog fodder, too.