Unsticking myself from my computer

I can't seem to do wht you do. I tend to go on the computer at least once a day when my daughter is sleeping. That is the only time I have to spend a littl time mylotting or write or check my emails. Other than that my computer is switched off. I don;t think I spend that much time on the computer, just a 1-3 hours a day. So I need to make full use of the time there. If I don't switch on the computer, I usually read, write or play with my daughter. Reading can kill some time. I don't really write, but I plan what to write when I'm not on the computer. My daughter needs a lot of attention. Thus, that kills lots of time, needless to say very exhausting. I also like to go for walks around the neighbourhood or at the park. Get out of the house a little bit. You'll love it.

Remember I told you that I have been getting DSL for dial-up prices? Well, after a year of that the phone company finally caught their mistake and put a stop to it, so now I am back on dial-up. When I used to have dial-up with this same phone company I was paying for limited service, but I was getting unlimited service. I do not know whether that is going to be the case again so I am being very conservative with the time I am online until I find out. So that means I only check my email once or twice a day and do any MyLotting at that time. And just like you I suddenly have a bunch of time on my hands that I didn't know what to do with! I have been keeping myself busy with all the stuff I was NOT doing when I was online all the time... washing dishes, cleaning house, working in the garden, mowing the lawn, reading. I am also doing a lot of the projects that I have been wanting to do but could not get around to because I was always so busy at the keyboard. I feel like I have my life back, hehehehe.

You are bringing up a subject that I have had on my mind. I have religious teaching that suggests that if possible we do not work on Sundays, or a Sabbath day. It is healthy for even people without religious scruples to take a break. I personally find that I can write better and easier on the computer, and there are a lot of things it has improved for me, but I am planning to try not using the computer on Sunday myself. For me, I will take more walks, listen to music, go outside, walk to the library, do home projects, do crafts.I have lots of magazines I have never read. I am going to use my brain. Of course there is the spiritual application of meditation, prayer or scripture reading. I want to see how I do with this. It is not my suggestion that you have to do any or all of these things. I just find it very coincidental that my thoughts are matching your discussion.

I agree with you, the computer seems to have taken over my life. I am on it from the time I get up in the morning until the time I go to bed, with breaks for necessary stuff in between. I am not doing the writing I am supposed to be doing, or the exercising. I am disappointed with myself as I feel I am being lazy by being on here all day long. I have made a pledge to cut back and do the things I am SUPPOSED to be doing, but so far that hasn't worked. Right now we are in a break between soccer seasons (outdoor versus indoor) so I don't have to run my girls around to soccer games and practices. I hated it at first but now I love it becauase I enjoy watching them play. They are good and I am very proud of them. And it does get me out of the house and socializing with other people. I don't make dinners very often but I do laundry, which is near the computer so an excuse to be online. I really ought to discipline myself to get off this machine, or at least the internet, and do what I need to be doing like editing my novel.

I have the same problem :D I am so attached to my pc :D Can't imagine what I would do if I couldn't go online :D Have a nice day..

Sorry to say, I do not have a day that my pc is off. This thing is how I communicate with my family (Parents, sister in Japan, and Hubby in Iraq), how i make money because of my three kids and hubby gone, and how I go to school. I even do most of my Christmas shopping online because I have to get it done somehow. I do not have a babysitter so getting out of the house with the kids to do some shopping is hard to do. If I don't get on my computer I am sick and I depend om my TV and classic movies to help me through the day. I do not have many friends either but I love to go shopping! If you are looking for something to do the try crafts of some sorts. There is many to do. Paint, cross stitch, knitting, something like that. I do models sometimes.

Oh go on positiveminded...... Give your computer a HUG. We all know that deep down this is exactly what you want to do! I am not disciplined enough unfortunately to turn my PC off for a whole day; just can't do it. Today is the equivalent of Sunday here in Egypt so there will be less computer time than normal but as you can see I am still here a little bit! The only time my computer (and even my mobile phone for that matter) gets a rest is when I am asleep! lol. I am not sure what else you are going to do now actually. You have clearly stated that you don't seem to enjoy much at all! You should take up hang-gliding I reckon!

[i]Hi positive, ohhh..Ihave my day off also here..hahaha..Saturday and Sunday, I am trying not to be here and spend time with my husband! In your case, how about reading? or doing another stuff like painting or cross-stitching! or maybe cooking![/i]

Hi positiveminded, I am also very attached to my cumputer and I never keep it turned off for a full day if I am at home. I like to write and sometimes I'll do it the old way with pen and paper. This keeps me away from the computer for awhile. Sometimes I will spend a day visiting family, but turn on my cumputer as soon as I get home. Blessings.

sounds like you need to just stay on the computer.

Oh NO!! You don't want your 'lover' any longer? =;( Won't it feel neglected with you not accompanying it for a Sunday every single week? What happens if it misses you? Just kidding here!! It's good to have a break from our computers sometimes. Lol, it is not like our lives revolves around the computer. Sometimes it is just good to relax, chill and smell the roses! (figuratively speaking). I agree that though technology is getting better and better, and the world is getting smaller and smaller, it kinds of have a negative impact on us and the relationships around us. There is always a positive and a negative side to every thing. And in this case, the negative part is what you had just mentioned.. No one is writing any longer, and this will in turn wreck our handwriting. Same goes for me, my handwriting is getting from its neatness to becoming very messy nowadays as I stopped penpalling years ago and is currently on the computer typing from morning to night. And yes, the computer and the internet is very addictive! Sometimes, I set for myself a limit of 1 hour per day to be online and on the computer, but when I looked at the time, it seems to just fly past so fast whenever I am online. Haha.. so it also felt like its the only thing that we have in the world. And when the computer breaks down, it feels like we have just lost a very good friend, and all of a sudden, we just feel so free and there seems to be just too much time on hand that all of a sudden we just don't know what to do with our time. It's good that you have this sort of will power to keep yourself away from your computer on a special day - Sunday! I sure would love to learn this from you. Hehe, the only time that I am away from the computer is either when my computer had broken down, there is no internet connection, or when I am away in Malaysia (there's no internet connection there!) High 5 man! I also hate shoppping, hate watching movies and hate walking! So does that means that I am also very difficult!? Lol. Well, you can always use the time to rest and relax, and clear your mind from the stresss of our fast paced, ever changing world. Sit down, and do the things that you enjoy. Things that you might want to Consider: 1. Read a book 2. Do some gardening 3. Clean your house. 4. Fix up a puzzle 5. Do some DIY things like cross stitch, sewing for your family and friends 6. Cook/ bake some special stuff 7. Write letters to people 8. Clear up some bills/ Organise and filing 9. Gardening (if you have a garden!) 10. Makeover your whole house 11. Plan a party 12. Clear the trash from your house 13. Take a walk in the country side 14. Sit at the beach (I love this the best! It clears the mind and at the same time, time seems to fly when you are there listening to the waves, adn smelling the fresh air!) And the list goes on Hehe, well what do you like doing? Think about it! There is an endless task for you to do, and once you start on them, you won't be able to stop! (Just like M&Ms)=D Well, take care my friend, and I hope that you will enjoy your Sunday doing something that you like! Happy Mylotting!

Hi folk to me I dont think it is appropriate to say that computer has ruined your what you had enlisted 1,2,3.... reasons but onething I am sure of is you had ruined yourself your life,your friend, your good times by sticking to the computer.I agree that most of us get stuck with their computers but one thing we can make sure of that computer/laptop shouldnot operate you the thing should be viceversa. Once you try to get yourself detactched from your PC/laptop then you would think of other things like sparing time for your self,your family,friends.........and so on. I even dont think that one should fix up someday as Nocomputer day/No Laptop day to get himself detached from the same.I think one should get in touch with the same daily, as it helps you staying in touch with the world.So I think you should enjoy the same daily but should not become a addict to it, as anything beyond the limits will ruin oneself.I dont want to suggest someway for getting oneself detached with the computer I think everyone has his own brain and every one is a master of himself.Thanks alot

I would love that. but I can't just go away with the computer, although my online time is limited I think I could not last a day without looking at my mail (which is by the way is just an extension of mylot) I am very addicted here in mylot,a nd I don't think I could last one day without answering one discussion (even just one.. please..) and oh last night I was thinking of not opening the computer today so I could rest ( I was INFORMATION OVERLOAD phase last night) but now I am answering your post, can't let it go. Information overload. so many sites, so many earning opportunity, so little time.

That's a wonderful idea. I would love to set a day off without my laptop. But almost everything I do in my work requires me to open it. Even on sundays, I always find some reason to use the computer and look up something locally or online and also I have to talk with the kids online on sundays. They're in the USA and I'm stuck here in this dump. Lol.

try to engage yourselves in other simple household stuffs.... like cleaning your room.... or try fixing a jigsaw puzzle...or read books like harry potter...there are many a things you can do void of computers...:)

Hi Positiveminded, Well to get back in touch with your creative side why not take yourself off for a nice long walk in the countryside if nearby but if not to a park with a pond and maybe feed the days, get yourself a good book to read, cook yourself a favourite meal from scratch and then have a nice long hot bath and just lay back and relax. Enjoy your Sunday. Huggles. Ellie :D

I think it is a good idea to have an internet-free day once a week. I don't think I could do it. When I do force myself to take time off and go out into the real world, I always feel better for it, but the first thing I do when I return home is to switch on my laptop and check my emails! There must be something you enjoy doing to relax and chill out. Maybe there is someone you would like to spend more time with, or who would appreciate a visit from you. There is a whole of beautiful world 'offline'. Whatever interests you, go for it. Do what you like and enjoy what you do.

Hi positiveminded, Well I know exactly what you are saying I am like that now I am on my LapTop all day and right into the early hours of the morning, this evening I had to go out and I couln't wait to get back to Mylot and now I have to catch up on my mail, on't know if I would be able to clear it tonight. Tamara

you are so right the computer eats time, and mylot seems to take most of that time, I guess I will get tired of it, but right now it's exciting each day when I get to read the discussions and think of answers to them.

We are made of the same clay I think