For the last couple weeks or so I've been monitoring my computer time more closely. I used to just leave it on all day, popping in and out as it struck my fancy. I didn't usually spend large chunks of time at the computer, but all the little visits were adding up. Plus, I could tell that some of the time I was spending online was my way of avoiding other things I needed to deal with.
My new routine is that the computer stays off until lunch or naps, then I turn it on for no more than 30 minutes. That's basically time for me to take care of Trading Post updates, check messages on Facebook, the Sonlight forums, and e-mail, and take care of any online stuff I need to do. Then it gets turned back off. Occasionally I'll turn it on around 3:00 or 4:00 for the same reasons I turn it on midday. Otherwise it stays off until evening, usually around the kids' bedtime.
Additionally, I've been purging my Facebook friend list. I could count on one hand, maybe two, the number of friend requests I've sent out there, but I accept all the ones that come my way. That's all fine, except that I've found myself scrolling through pages and pages of status updates from people who I never actually correspond directly with on Facebook. Since I'm limiting my time online, I'd rather keep my time there focused on the people I actually dialogue with. I'd never noticed how many Facebook friends I had until this change in computer time and was shocked that it was a hair under 500 people. I'm now down to the low 300s and am still purging. Of course, I've accidentally deleted some people, but they can always come back and I'll still accept friend requests. I am, however, going to be paying more attention to which friends I actually talk with on Facebook. I need my online time to be more efficient, so it was just time to scale down the list.
Anyway, my days are more productive, which means I don't feel guilty about wasting time online in the evenings. It's working out really well!
4 comments:
I so agree with you on this. I have been feeling like my online time is just becoming too much. Of course, some of mine is work stuff but still I think I need to pare it down. Thanks for the encouragement. Gonna turn it off right now:)
I need to purge my FB friend list. If I can't place your IRL name with the SL name, I'm probably going to purge that person. It is overwhelming the amount of status updates. I lose my family and the people I do converse with on FB in the sea of updates.
Kelly - The SL crew definitely contributes to my excess friends. :)
Bethany, I think this is awesome! I've been thinking of doing the same things myself!
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