From
"I know it's taking valuable time from my children. . . "
to
"I get too emotionally caught up in online drama. . . "
to,
"There is so much more I could be doing with my life. . . "
the consensus is the same. Too much internet exists in our lives and we want to break free.
So "How!?" is the question I've been asked. Especially when one does need it for communication, bill paying, and blogging for either family to stay in touch or for ministry.
Well, you can always move into a rural home that is a brand new address and have internet hookup issues. ;)
Or, you can take one of two courses of action.
1. Cut it out cold turkey for a month until you can regain a balanced perspective of the internet.
When you can once again see it as a supplemental tool for your life, not your main course of daily activity, you'll know it's time to return.
For those you stay in touch with via a blog or Facebook, call or write family and friends an old fashioned letter in your time off. Tell them what you're doing and stay in touch the way we used to. After all, we once survived without Facebook communication!
Online bills? If you have a spouse, have them pay them for you.
Email, check it weekly just so your inbox doesn't overflow but do it quickly and for goodness sake, don't click any teaser links!
2. For some, cold turkey isn't doable. There isn't a spouse to pay the bills and family members have limited minutes on their phones so you can't call them that much. So sit down and write a schedule of when you will be on and when you will get off. Tape it next to the computer.
And follow it. To the "T".
No exceptions.
(have someone hold you accountable. That will help the process.)
You may also want to add a few other things to the schedule. Such as,
"I will not entertain arguments on blogs or Facebook but instead, turn off the computer."
"I will focus on the beauty in my life instead of wishing for the life of (insert the name) as I see it on their blog or statuses."
"I will not use the internet while my children are awake, but only during naptime."
Only you know what you need to add.
Add it.
Follow it.
Then, enjoy your broadened world as the internet addiction fades away and you find other pieces to your soul you have been missing out on.
PS---I'd love to hear how it goes.
