Recovering Internet Addict

Going from spending ALL of one's non-working, non-sleeping time on the Internet in some form to a strict computer usage plan is a bit like going from the buffet line to gastric bypass overnight or going cold turkey after a three pack a day habit: your world shifts and all you can do is adjust.  Not unlike breaking one's foot or loosing one's job (hem hem), but this Internet addiction recovery process is distinct because it is self-chosen and is part of the larger process of reclaiming myself and my mental health.  (I'm putting my Internet plan in the extended cut in case others are interested) 

So, now that my crutch of the Internet is removed from the equation, how HAVE I been spending my non-working, limited mobility time:

• Cooking.  Luckily, I have the type of kitchen that makes it pretty easy to cook from a wheelchair.  Instead of spending every meal at the computer, I've been spending breakfast and lunch with Mark, Julia, Betty, Fanny, and Bert and planning dinner. It's been a very long since I cooked this regularly.
• Listening to Books on Tape. This is probably my new favorite way to spend time. I can listen to a book and clean or knit at the same time. Listening to good fiction has the same effect on me as reading good fiction, and I accomplish something while getting energized for my own writing.
• Laundry. There is no laundry mountain. I repeat there is no laundry mountain. All clothes are hung and folded and there is no back log. The last time this occurred was maybe almost a year ago.  The process of getting everything done, put away, and caught up took multiple days.
• Physical therapy.  The cast of doom and I are now going three times a week to have foot torture, but I am told that healing is occurring.  At least another three weeks of the cast of doom, but at least things are looking good. 
• Knitting. This goes hand and hand with the books on tape but I'm also discovering the pleasure of sitting and JUST knitting without other distractions.
• Writing. I'm preparing to do NaNoWriMo for the second time, and I've been plotting my story.
• Talking. In addition to the daily marathon with Clanna, I've added phone calls to other relatives and longer nightly chats with Freak.
• Reading. The Brockmann books were not a fluke, and I've been enjoying this reading Renaissance whole-heartedly.
• Taking small steps to my next career moves. 
• Thinking. For me, surfing replaces day-dreams, thinking, contemplating, and zaps my creativity.

It's not earth shattering, it's not even all that interesting, but it is, for me, a reclaiming of the simple good things in my life.  In case you are interested in reclaiming your life from the Internet, my plan follows. 

Wavybrains' Computer Usage plan: Taped to the top of my laptop. Laptop must be closed/turned off after every session.  For me, this is all about re-training myself to use the internet as a TOOL, and about regaining the power over that tool instead of letting it run the show. 

GOOD Computer Use:

• Writing (any kind blogging, book, articles, lists)
• Focused Job Hunting
• Research for writing projects/work
• Music
• Books on Tape
• Uploading/Organizing Photos
• Email
• Limited focused searching and surfing:
• Have post-it with objectives (search terms for Google or time-limit for bloglines)
• Do I need it today?
• What do I need this information for?
• Will this help me meet my goals?
• Will I print it out/save it/buy it when I find it?
• How will this help me in the long-term?

BAD Computer Use:

• Procrastination
• Veg Out
• Bored
• On computer and thinking up reasons to avoid getting off computer/doing other things
• Multiple browser windows open
• Endless surfing
• Mindless surfing/reading
• Surfing because sad, lonely, or needy
• searching for things that are not immediate needs
• Sitting down without a purpose/game plan 

Comments

[Stephanie]

Wow that's awesome! You've really been filling your time very productively. Alot more than I would if I were laid up, that's for sure. Glad you are enjoying your new found quality time.

[amanda]

wow wavy sounds like you have come a long way on the addiction. and it also sounds like your foot is doing a LOT better. its good to have rules and game plans and stick to them. your friends are both in and out of the computer. im also glad you posted...thought you might be going on another extended break.

-A

[Erin O']

Sounds like a great plan. And a more satisfying quality of life. Hope the foot heals welll and quickly,

e

[chasmyn]

That sounds wonderful!

[Margie]

Good plan - my only problem is that writing was taking so much time that I almost had to put it in the BAD computer use category. So I'm ratcheting back on that too, but won't give it up.

Hope your ankle is doing better!