The Blog Herald posted this on Thursday. As I read, I lowered my derriere in a hard metal chair, feeling conspicuous in the circle of fellow addicts.
Hi, my name is Michele. I’m addicted to the internet.
I’ve been pulled in 100%. Like a high, I can’t get enough of all the potential for experience, information, connection, and, yes, even ministry. I didn’t realize I had a small knack for it until I worked sales for a computer networking company years ago. Ever since, I’ve been hooked. I geek out on new hardware, gadgets, plugins and social net apps all the time.
But last week I’d had enough. So I took a break from Twitter and Facebook. I scheduled blog posts in advance and avoided my WP dashboard. Yes, I tweeted a couple times and checked in with friends occasionally via DM. But I bumped Tweetdeck from my dashboard (my way to flee temptation), removed most tweets from my phone (they’ll survive without me knowing what’s going on), kept IM chats short, and shut down by dinner almost every night. A week of weeeeannnning. I’m not abandoning it altogether. But, I AM going to keep it from stealing the sweetness of the simple.
It’s. Been. Great. And tough. I missed connecting. Being part of the dialogue. Many of the people with whom I interact don’t live close to me. Some don’t even live on this continent. Face-time is out of the question, so the internet has become our coffeehouse. And I love it.
But the ugly side of this phenomena has shown me to be an addict. This is where I’m asking for your advice.
Tell me, how do you enjoy the sweetness of the internet without letting it take over your life?
Pull up a metal chair. Lay it on me. I’m listening.
I wish I could help you, but I’m an addict as well. I love reading blogs and catching up on news (although that’s starting to get to me). When you find out, please let me know. You can find me Facebook, Twitter, or my blog. 🙂
Joanna, you made me laugh … so funny. Thanks for sitting in a metal chair with me. Let’s hope we get some worthy advice!
I’m in the same boat with Joanna. Same networks too. Adding LinkedIn and You Go Girl. I majored in computers back in thh early 80’s. I spent 10 years in telecommunications as a technical analyst. I left in 97 to raise my family. I’m so far behind the curve now though that it takes me longer to do things (That’s my excuse for being online so long. 😉 ). I’m trying to figure out how to put a wordpress front onto my own web server. I’m stuck. And I’m addicted. I’m online far too much.
Like I commented on the twittersnark, I try to carve out some time away from the internet to get writing or other important tasks done without interference. Internet time is like “Office Hours” for professors, when he/she interacts with students, facility, colleagues. There was some scripture that says one the fruits of the Spirit is “self-control” Galatians 5:23. And the internet can sure be a test for that.
Susan, you make a good point about “office hours for professors” … that just might be the ticket. Thanks.
Love this post. Yes, I am right there with you. Technology can be fun but also wearisome too.
I try to keep the hours between 5:30 and 9pm technology free and spend that with my family. I’m not legalistic about it but I try to keep that time just for them. It gives us all a little balance.