Friday, April 8, 2011

Living Offline

I'm sure you haven't noticed, but I spend a lot of time online. I know, a shocking revelation.

Being online means a lot of things to me. Writing, managing websites, finding opportunities, promoting, emailing, chatting to friends and reading. It means I absorb a lot of information, my mind is always busy and there are often several pages and programs open at once.

I have my working/writing days, when I'm online all day, and on the other days I'll check in frequently.

It makes things fairly constant. While we're at the park, for example, I'll whip out a blog post on my iPhone. When we're sitting down for lunch, I'll reply to some emails. When Abbey goes to bed, I'll catch up on the rest.

I love all that - I'm good at being busy. But sometimes it's just as great to take a break.

Yesterday I had lots to do, and I had that feeling that I was falling behind with things. So I shut down the computer (something I rarely do) and did them - I painted, cleaned, shopped for furniture, restocked the house with food, made some phone calls (I know!), played with Abbey, and in the evening I sat on the couch and watched trashy TV with Steve.

Usually, I'd do all these things with emailing and online stuff in between. Yesterday, though, I couldn't do it all - and I feel all the better for it. My day felt less cluttered, more productive and focused and my mind was most definitely clearer.

I think I might schedule an offline day each week.

How about you? Do you set time to be offline? Do you find it can all get too much at times?
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14 comments:

  1. Caz MakepeaceApril 8, 2011 at 10:04 AM

    I did that very same thing this morning. I got up early, did my yoga, cleaned the house, sat on the couch and cuddled Kalyra, and attended to all the other stuff that I usually leave at the bottom of the pile. I feel a lot less cluttered and ready to get back online. I rarely take a whole day offline, with two busy blogs to run, i just can't. But we travel a lot for our travel blog so those days are mostly spent offline, and because it is travel-what I love- it tends to inspire and rejuvinate me

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  2. NannaMelApril 8, 2011 at 10:06 AM

    I have been wondering why I have been feeling so 'mentally cluttered', time poor and scattered lately. I think this may be the answer.... thanks Dr Megan!

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  3. Diminishing LucyApril 8, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Now that I have work, as well as wrting deadlines to meet, I find I need to log out of the internet a lot more regularly. It's a good habit.

    And in turn it has made me feel a lot more relaxed and chilled.

    I take great pleasure in going webless....we bless web less!

    Logging off now actually!

    XX

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  4. CatApril 8, 2011 at 10:27 AM

    Gah, my comment just got gobbled up so sorry if I comment twice. I struggle with this too & love your idea of a scheduled day off a week, takes the pressure off. Xxx

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  5. tartankiwiApril 8, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I worry at times that I am setting a bad example for my children by huddling behind my laptop too much when I should be spending time with them. A computer free day sounds like a very good idea and I should give it a try, but i am not very hopeful that I'd be able to stick to it...
    Good luck with your effort.

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  6. Sally HepworthApril 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    I need to have a day like that. One day a week offline is a good thing to aim for. I'm going to do the same. Thanks for sharing!

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  7. ♥.Trish.♥ DrumboysApril 8, 2011 at 11:26 AM

    This post resonates with me.
    Glad it was productive.
    I think scheduling an offline day is great idea.
    I am feeling very guilty about my increasing online time.

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  8. UnknownApril 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Great idea! I am hoping to do more of that too. You really feel better for it and get a lot more done. And when online again it is more fun!
    xx

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  9. Alice BecomesApril 8, 2011 at 12:50 PM

    i always struggle with this...i try to have wed as my offline day. but it doesn't always happen!

    i worry sometimes about what I could/should be doing when i am online...i think it is important to have a break

    Gill xo

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  10. AdalitaApril 8, 2011 at 8:04 PM

    I have had a week witho9ut my beloved PC. It has been good. I still didn't get all the stuff done around the house as I had marking and reporting due. I think I am dedicating 2.5 hours a day for my online time.

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  11. RiverApril 8, 2011 at 11:54 PM

    I trialled a day off per week last year, Sunday was going to be my computer free day. Didn't really work out. Now, I choose to not turn on the computer at least until after lunch every day. Mornings are for other things.

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  12. GlowApril 9, 2011 at 1:28 AM

    I haven't managed to turn it all off yet (I think I may hyperventilate), but I will turn off Tweetdeck and close my email so I can't see them popping up and be distracted.

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  13. UnknownApril 9, 2011 at 7:03 PM

    This is a brilliant idea. Mine is rather self imposed ads I'm out of the house 12hrs two days a week and while I miss the connectivity I am also happy for a breather.

    Enjoy your newly found breathing space x

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  14. AnonymousApril 13, 2011 at 9:56 PM

    I'm completely with you on this one. I'm only blogging once a week now, and I find I get more living done when I'm not constantly logged on.
    Whenever I feel like I've been spending too much time online, I read this post by Alain deBotton and it gives me perspective:
    http://www.alaindebotton.com/blog/?p=20
    I think you'll find more time offline enriches your writing and your blogging. Looking forward to reading more.

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