Tuesday, September 22, 2020

A Week Without the Internet

Sort of. Kat originally got me thinking about avoiding the internet for a week with this post, and I told you about my decision to give it a try here. No more wasting time on Instagram, news sites, various political sites, looking at yarn I don't need, etc. I began Sunday with the zeal of a convert, proudly proclaiming, "No internet for me!" But several problems quickly became evident. 


I had bills to pay and because I pay most of them online, I had to go online to do that. Then I finished Lady in the Lake. I try to write my reviews on Goodreads soon after completing a book when the details are fresh in my mind, so I was back online to do that. I also placed several holds on books at my libraries via Overdrive, but I think we would all agree that books are a necessity. 


For the rest of the week, I checked fire updates, email, wrote a blog post or two, and read blog posts. But then on Friday evening, Justin's girlfriend (who is constantly on facebook and instagram) told me that Ruth Bader Ginsburg had died and this was the most important reason to turn to the internet. I needed to confirm that this very sad news was true and that the hypocritical Republicans would indeed act as expected. 

What did I learn from my week "without the internet"? Mainly that it's ubiquitous and necessary. It is evident in almost all aspects of my life, from looking for recipes to checking out books to streaming "The Crown". I cannot imagine trying to maintain my sanity during the pandemic without it and am very glad I have not had to. The internet is a tool, and like any other tool, it is up to me to use it wisely. In so many ways, it makes my life easier and more pleasurable. It's my personal responsibility to find the middle ground between being uninformed and wasting precious hours doom-scrolling. I think this week showed me that life without the internet might be possible, but it is so much richer if I use it sparingly and for good. 


14 comments:

  1. I think your last words are key - using it sparingly and for good. I'm not a doom scroller and other than posting on my blog or reading blogs I'm not on the internet much. Probably part of that has to do with working. I'm on the computer enough for work that I don't really care to be on it much otherwise.

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  2. Thank you for this update! I too found some things impossible to avoid, sadly. Checking weather, and yes smoke alerts. But there were things that were "on my list" and the library topped it. Books are as important as breath to me... so there is no way that I would survive without checking out books! My "break" has definitely curbed my "FB Habit" I think I am almost ready to just delete my entire account. I still don't know what to do with IG... it is such a time suck, but that darned FOMO is so strong!

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  3. It sounds like the week taught you an important lesson about moderation. I'm a firm believer of moderation in general -- even too much of a good thing can be bad. I haven't removed all of the internet from my life (I have to be online for work, and I still check social media), but I've noticed that since I began working from home, I'm actually doing less of the online behaviors that are prone to cause me anxiety. I'm not constantly checking CNN.com, for instance, and I long ago gave up on Facebook (I haven't deleted my account, just in case I need it to get in touch with some family members, but I log in only once in a blue moon). And things like IG are a break for me, because I use my feed to inspire me with images of pretty yarn and fiber.

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  4. I agree with you so much! No, none of us *needs* to be on the Internet 24/7, but we should be able to find a happy medium somewhere in our lives, like we hopefully do with everything else. Also, in general, I refuse to feel shame because I like to look at things regularly. Just like once in a while, if I want to buy myself a tea or coffee, I'm not gonna let someone shame me because it's a waste of money. If I learned anything from growing up poor, it's that a treat now and then is good for the soul.

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  5. Great post! I'm not a doom scroller but I do certainly have my rat holes! I'm trying harder to read content rather than just mindlessly scrolling IG. Nice work Bonny! (And I honestly don't know why I haven't deleted FB yet...)

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  6. Well said, Bonny, well said. I have been trying to decrease my internet time as well, with varying degrees of success. But as you said, it is up to us to use our tools for good in our lives, so I continue to try and monitor my use. I admit I have spent a bit of time this morning reading about Amy Coney Barrett, and I am dismayed beyond any expectations about her views. To think we would put a religious zealot on the Supreme Court is extremely upsetting to me. If you want to become dismayed, the article is here: https://www.newsweek.com/amy-coney-barrett-people-praise-group-inspired-handmaids-tale-1533293. It makes absolutely no difference to me that she is a woman, and the Republicans don't seem to get that. Now that I am informed and you have given me great encouragement, I am signing off the internet as soon as I do my library chores. I hope both of us have a good Tuesday, but I am sad.

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  7. I think you learned the lesson you were meant to learn about this and I know you will use that to your advantage going forwad.

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  8. My life is for sure better when I am not scrolling mindlessly, and I'm also trying hard to be efficient about what I do and when I do it. I found a lot more time last week just by limiting Instagram ... and it was wonderful to fill that time with better things - like reading, exercise, and connecting with folks. Guess this is something we ALL need to work on!

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    1. Mary, I agree that I waste too much time when I start down the rabbit hole. Something interests me and half an hour later I haven't gotten to the things I went on line for.!!!

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  9. What a great lesson you have shared. I think of the times before we had the internet. I had an encyclopedia , but I had a list of things to look up at the library all the time. I no longer have to do that. It is like I have a library right here. I am glad my library is still doing great. You can't be a library. But, thanks for sharing your insights. Thank God for computers so I can communicate more with my family!!!!

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  10. I think you are right on when you write that the internet is a tool. The trick is to find the right balance.

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  11. It is necessary overall but I think that the social media isn't necessary (news..) isn't as crucial and it doesn't bring joy! Anything that brings joy is most needed. I love reading blogs and I will not give that up :)

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  12. You hit the nail on the head! Using the power of the internets sparingly (and away from social media--a misnomer, imo) is the key to a richer life.

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