Well, not exactly an experiment. More like an accident.
But since in God’s sovereignty, there are no “real” accidents, we’ll call it the “Providential-Frying-of-the-Transistors-of-Tiana’s-Motherboard”, in which I go without a computer or internet access for two weeks.
Now, I can’t say that this has done great things for the ministry of At the Well (insert uncomfortable silence here), but it has done amazing things for my home and family. Not having the distraction of the internet to draw me away for “just a few minutes” has meant,
- happier, more well behaved children,
- a cleaner house,
- more school work accomplished,
- meals consistently on time,
- more “real” books read,
- longer, quieter, quiet-times,
- more phone conversations with “real life” friends (not that you all are not my friends…)
- happier husband,
- oh yeah…and more sleep.
It was quiet the epiphany, but it didn’t surprise me. I already knew that the temptation to spend too much time online was a real issue for me. I had a nice list of internet rules. The problem was, they weren’t working for me anymore, so I wasn’t using them.
If I’m going to avoid completely cutting myself off from cyberspace–and blogging, e-commerce, etc.–something needs to change. Drastically. The taste of being “unplugged” was just too sweet.
As I’ve talked to my mommy-friends, in hopes of getting some solid advice, I’ve discovered a couple of startling things:
- My most successful “real life” Titus 2 mentors are almost never online.
- This is a serious struggle for the rest of us who are.
The big difference seems to be one of attitude. For the first group, the internet is a tool. For the later, the internet is a place. Changing my mindset is helping to change my habits.
And so, while I don’t recommend intentionally frying the transistors on your motherboard (or dropping your smart phone in the bathtub), maybe pretending your computer is broken and spending a few days without it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
What do you think?
First off, I had been wondering where you were.
)
Second, my head hears you but…it may take some time for my heart to receive your words of wisdom.
At this point in my life you are absolutely right about the internet being a place. A place to connect with friends real and otherwise. A place to connect with the world (I like to make sure it is still there, even though I am usually disappointed with how it is spinning.)
But, too often I find myself borrowing moments from my day that really should be used more wisely.
Thank you for the reminder to follow my internet rules. and maybe I’ll be able to adjust my attitude from this being a place and instead use it as a tool, kind of like my crock pot
So glad you are back, Tiana! And a hearty amen about Internet usage!
I couldn’t agree more. My laptop crashed a while back and so I lost my facebook access except I discovered I could get it on my phone (because I was a desperado addicted to it and just had to try lol) and last week my phone broke and so I’ve been quite unconnected. But GUESS WHAT this is the week that I’ve discovered that I DO HAVE WITHIN ME what it takes to homeschool which is something I’d always sworn I never would and had been forced to consider recently… amen to your comments!
I have a rule that I don’t turn on my computer until my boys go to bed at night. I don’t want the internet, email, blogs, etc, to be more important than my children. I usually waste too much time when I’m on the computer when it is on. So I instead use that time to do my devotions or run my household and create memories with my kids!