We did it.
Disconnected the Internet at home. (Gasp!) Yes, it's true.
No longer do I read daily news source headlines. Nor do I regularly check my email. I do not watch YouTube videos when I am bored. I do very little immediate question-answer Internet searching! (WHAT?! I'm a complete research-aholic!) Furthermore, I watch NO shows! (Coming from a practical entertainment junkie, I still am shocking myself with that
one!)
Before you assume that I am a total hermit of sorts, let me say: I do check weather and scan Facebook feed daily. And when I say “scan” I mean a less than 5 minute scan. (Maybe, in today's society, that does a hermit make? Hmmm....)
Oddly enough, it took all out begging on my part. I mean practically on my knees begging
my how-do-I-turn-on-the-computer-again husband that we could do without it. People, it pains me to watch this guy google anything. (And, Babe, “google” means “search”.) I
literally have to press my lips and sit on my hands, or else I just beg to take over. (Which is what usually happens after I try the aforementioned.)
So, here we are. Internetless. It's been maybe four weeks and probably 12 visits to the library for internet. HOWEVER, before you scoff, week one was probably eight visits... and every week has decreased in number to this week.
This is my first visit, and it's already Wednesday. Though, if I don't print the documents I need within the next 45 minutes, it will have to be two. :)
I feel completely out of my element. I am having to be more responsible and plan my trips so as to maximize my time (while the 7-year-old still interrupts regularly), actually having to balance my checkbook again hardcore, having to painfully tell my daughter “no”
to all her favorite web sites.
I am convinced most of the world will think I am crazy. (Gheez, I think I'm crazy!) But I have to say, it's a crazy that's working for me. Without limitless internet access, I find a pastime I love, reading, to be frequented. I am learning to knit – FROM A BOOK! (Yes, the library has multiple uses! Additionally, hopefully soon I'll have a live person to learn from. A sweet little lady I met in the park. Wow. Random human interaction versus my beloved DIY videos.)
I am finding that I can catch a news story or two on the FB feed... (So, if the stock market ever disintegrates, I will know, folks)... the radio still does headlines (when I am not listening to my daughter's silly songs or the like).... and my incredibly limited data plan for my phone is perfect for necessary connection to the rest of the internet dependent world.
And, I feel more satisfied. Take it from a recovering Internet junkie, learning to breathe air again feels good. My husband and I just sat on the couch and TALKED two nights in a row after saying good night to the 3-foot girl who lives with us. We have a great relationship; BUT, this week I feel we have a better one.
I don't know if we will get the Internet again. I can't imagine that I can deny the kiddo access to all the information in the world as we grow up together learning. But, I am not ready yet. I don't trust myself to make the good decisions - the quality decisions. I will chase headlines and watch shows and media-medicate myself right out of quality talks with my amazing guy, and fall asleep missing moments in the Bible searching out God, and be completely oblivious to moments of pretend with my repair-woman daughter (who started to take apart our stool with an Allen wrench today apparently).
Would she have even tried that before? Probably. But still, I have to wonder.
My life seems richer today and not just because I'm saving the money from the price-hiked Internet plan we were paying.... but, because I lived my life.
And you know what?
I loved it.
So teach us to number our days
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Disconnected the Internet at home. (Gasp!) Yes, it's true.
No longer do I read daily news source headlines. Nor do I regularly check my email. I do not watch YouTube videos when I am bored. I do very little immediate question-answer Internet searching! (WHAT?! I'm a complete research-aholic!) Furthermore, I watch NO shows! (Coming from a practical entertainment junkie, I still am shocking myself with that
one!)
Before you assume that I am a total hermit of sorts, let me say: I do check weather and scan Facebook feed daily. And when I say “scan” I mean a less than 5 minute scan. (Maybe, in today's society, that does a hermit make? Hmmm....)
Oddly enough, it took all out begging on my part. I mean practically on my knees begging
my how-do-I-turn-on-the-computer-again husband that we could do without it. People, it pains me to watch this guy google anything. (And, Babe, “google” means “search”.) I
literally have to press my lips and sit on my hands, or else I just beg to take over. (Which is what usually happens after I try the aforementioned.)
So, here we are. Internetless. It's been maybe four weeks and probably 12 visits to the library for internet. HOWEVER, before you scoff, week one was probably eight visits... and every week has decreased in number to this week.
This is my first visit, and it's already Wednesday. Though, if I don't print the documents I need within the next 45 minutes, it will have to be two. :)
I feel completely out of my element. I am having to be more responsible and plan my trips so as to maximize my time (while the 7-year-old still interrupts regularly), actually having to balance my checkbook again hardcore, having to painfully tell my daughter “no”
to all her favorite web sites.
I am convinced most of the world will think I am crazy. (Gheez, I think I'm crazy!) But I have to say, it's a crazy that's working for me. Without limitless internet access, I find a pastime I love, reading, to be frequented. I am learning to knit – FROM A BOOK! (Yes, the library has multiple uses! Additionally, hopefully soon I'll have a live person to learn from. A sweet little lady I met in the park. Wow. Random human interaction versus my beloved DIY videos.)
I am finding that I can catch a news story or two on the FB feed... (So, if the stock market ever disintegrates, I will know, folks)... the radio still does headlines (when I am not listening to my daughter's silly songs or the like).... and my incredibly limited data plan for my phone is perfect for necessary connection to the rest of the internet dependent world.
And, I feel more satisfied. Take it from a recovering Internet junkie, learning to breathe air again feels good. My husband and I just sat on the couch and TALKED two nights in a row after saying good night to the 3-foot girl who lives with us. We have a great relationship; BUT, this week I feel we have a better one.
I don't know if we will get the Internet again. I can't imagine that I can deny the kiddo access to all the information in the world as we grow up together learning. But, I am not ready yet. I don't trust myself to make the good decisions - the quality decisions. I will chase headlines and watch shows and media-medicate myself right out of quality talks with my amazing guy, and fall asleep missing moments in the Bible searching out God, and be completely oblivious to moments of pretend with my repair-woman daughter (who started to take apart our stool with an Allen wrench today apparently).
Would she have even tried that before? Probably. But still, I have to wonder.
My life seems richer today and not just because I'm saving the money from the price-hiked Internet plan we were paying.... but, because I lived my life.
And you know what?
I loved it.
So teach us to number our days
that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
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