On Friday, Kat mentioned that she had been avoiding the internet because of the state of the world. This sounded intriguing and got me thinking about what a week without the internet would be like for me, what benefits and drawbacks I might experience. So I'm giving it a try, beginning yesterday. There are conditions — I will be checking fire updates from CO, I'm obviously blogging and I will be reading your blogs, along with checking my email. But no Instagram, news, checking Nate Silver's election forecasts on FiveThirtyEight (he got it completely wrong in 2016), looking at yarn, or any of the hundreds of other ways I waste time on the internet. I'll let you know the positives, negatives, and how it went sometime next week. Who knows, I might even accomplish a bit more knitting, reading, and be a little happier.
I'll allow it since you're still going to blog with us! (as if you need my permission, hahaha). I don't spend too much time on random sites but I definitely get sucked into scrolling on Facebook and I need to quit that.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Bonny!! I don't really look at random sites or FB or IG much (I will check IG on my phone as I'm cooking dinner or something...but I don't comment and I don't post). Pretty much I read blogs and look at food (recipes). Hope your abstinence brings some relief! Now I want a croissant.....
ReplyDeleteYay! I am participating with you again this week! (although, I too am checking smoke/fire reports from Northern CA)
ReplyDeleteThe best thing I ever did for my state of mind . . . was a 30-day digital detox. I ended up dropping a lot of bad habits. I set some pretty clear boundaries for myself after the detox -- and they tend to work for me. Although I need some "reminding" every now and then. Enjoy your more "quiet" week. XO
ReplyDeletethis will be interesting. Nate claims he was right in that there was a 30% chance of T winning... pfft. I am going to join you. However, I only do insta 2-3 times a week. It is twitter where I will go done a slippery depressing slope! It doesn't bring me joy. I am not on FB so that one is easy for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that blogs are still on the okay list (because I'd miss you if you went away altogether for a week), but I applaud you for taking this bold step and hope it is useful for your mental health. I feel like I've found a better balance since I've been working from home, and strangely I think I'm actually checking news less now (maybe because I have knitting/spinning/reading more accessible to me now?).
ReplyDeleteAlso, I honestly don't know whether or not to trust Nate Silver anymore, much as I want to. Grr.
I applaud this experiment and eagerly look forward to hearing your findings!
ReplyDeleteI'm always trying to find a middle path between being overinformed (doom-scrolling) and uninformed, and some days that path if a very thin line. It doesn't help that the national newspapers to which I subscribe have adopted all the attention-sucking features of social media sites.
I trust no polls anymore. Not after last time...
Great minds think alike! I have been trying to stay on my laptop less, and I was planning on not watching the news for a week, then the fires in Oregon started. The fire has stopped 20 miles from where my stepson and DIL live, but I have been watching it very carefully. That has sabotaged my plan to stay away from the computer. I tend to be an all or none gal when trying to change habits, so I need to define some limits, I guess. Once I get on the darn thing, I fall down the vortex. This morning it was looking for projects for my stash of yarn. I am determined to use some of it up before I buy any more. So, you have inspired me, Bonny. I will come up with a plan. I cannot see any downside to staying away from the internet, although I look forward to your thoughts on this after a week. The news will find us eventually. People actually lived quite well before the internet came along!
ReplyDeletecool Bonnie! admirable
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experiment - and well-timed, I think. Look forward to your report back ... and seeing all the books, knitting, and EVERYTHING else you have time for :-)
ReplyDeleteLet us know how your experiment goes. If it means more baking of rolls, books, and knitting, you will have a good week. I can almost smell home baked rolls from here.
ReplyDeleteI'll be waiting to hear! I'd have trouble giving up IG because it's the only way I get to see Dan's life but otherwise...I'll bet you're on to something!
ReplyDeleteIt feels very good to be free of all the angst! Right? I've been away from the internets for awhile but doing the occasional crossword puzzle. :)
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