|
Post by Rosebud on Dec 2, 2009 13:30:12 GMT -5
I wonder: What is a reasonable amount of time per day to spend online? Visiting online support groups, like this one? Searching for information that we may or may not need? How much time is it reasonable to spend writing?
What is the average time spent per day, among our members?
I know that I often tend to sit for too long in front of my computer.
Sometimes I may find valuable information. New angles to old problems. Now and then I may find exactly the advice I need to get moving towards where I want to be.
But there is no doubt that my computer time might often have been much better spent on actual tasks. Things that need to get done.
So where is the balancing point?
It would be interesting if others could share what they find reasonable, and helpful.
Right now I will leave my computer - and go and check on my dishwasher ...
|
|
|
Post by paperpiler on Dec 2, 2009 14:18:08 GMT -5
IMO, there's no set amount of time. However, if you (the generic you) are discussing what you're going to do, commenting to many posts that whatever is giving you food for thought or that you are that way as well, talking about whether something has caused you to be this way from (fill in blank for reason of your choice), saying that you just can't do this today and tomorrow and the next day, etc....and not off the computer and physically DOING...you're using everything as crutches to avoid what you need to be doing as sure as if you'd be watching TV, reading a book, or going shopping to avoid taking action. There has to be a balance between being and doing. And I think we all know what our own balance is; what's good for one may be bad for another. But the bottom line is we all know avoidance when we see it.
|
|
|
Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Dec 2, 2009 14:57:58 GMT -5
if you (the generic you) are discussing what you're going to do, commenting to many posts that whatever is giving you food for thought or that you are that way as well, talking about whether something has caused you to be this way from (fill in blank for reason of your choice), saying that you just can't do this today and tomorrow and the next day, etc....and not off the computer and physically DOING...you're using everything as crutches to avoid what you need to You've totally described me. I'd comment further on that "food for thought" but ...
|
|
|
Post by Rosebud on Dec 2, 2009 17:36:39 GMT -5
Hmmm food for thought - yes.
It might be interesting to set a timer each time when we sit down in front of the computer, counting upwards until we leave the computer again, and then add up at the end of the day. Or, at least to make a rough evaluation of time spent.
As compared to time spent on actual work ...
|
|
|
Post by StuffNoMore on Dec 2, 2009 17:49:55 GMT -5
When cleaning and/or decluttering I spend 15 mins on this site reading or posting then go back to doing my things in the house. This is how I started cleaning when i first joined and then realized I was online here for hours!!! But the only difference is the house was now being cleaned and squalor free in less time then it took me "thinking" about doing it for the past 3 years. I may be spending many hours online now but they're very constructive ones with more progress being made in here than has been for years.
I do at times get some of my emails done on my 15 min break while cleaning.
SNM
|
|
|
Post by serenitynow on Dec 2, 2009 19:46:20 GMT -5
Rosebud, You've taken the words right out of my mouth-and onto the page. I was going to post about this last night. I'm spending WAY too much time online. My eyes are blurry and I'm getting headaches. I am using the computer as a crutch and my life is drifting through my hands. The computer masks so many things..my loneliness, my need for intellectual stimulation, hopelessness about my current state of affairs, avoidance in dealing with my home and my personal appearance, my lack of discipline...just to name a few. I truly need to clear my mind. serenitynow..not later
|
|
Deleted
Joined: January 1970
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 2, 2009 22:23:27 GMT -5
I have definitely used the internet to procrastinate doing actual work around my house. One thing that's helped: work for 15-30 min (or whatever you can manage until you get tired), then go online for a break. Generally I need 1/2 hour of rest for every 1/2 hour of work, but I'm disabled and you may be able to get more accomplished. So use computer time as your "rest" time, between cleaning and decluttering...that way you can get your internet fix AND still get something done.
|
|
|
Post by charis on Dec 2, 2009 23:18:00 GMT -5
I occasionally lose a day to the internet.
I guess I have sometimes spent time unwisely
But I think the internet has enhanced my life.
I was getting kind of isolated. I work about half the year--on and off. When I work it is stressful with lots of overtime. I realized gradually that I only socialized with people from work and that we spent most of that time gossiping about work and drinking (I still like to do that actually). When I was off work--sometimes for 2 months at a time, I never saw any of those people and only called or emailed them once in a while. I knew nobody else after living in this city for 6 years.
I used the internet to clean up my house (bless you, old Squalor Survivors Site)
I used Craiglist and joined a group of women who play cards at coffeehouses around town--no alcohol no office talk
I used the internet to find a book club where the members actually read the books and enjoy talking about them
The internet led me to squalorfest (Yay Pickles) --I got to drive to another state! I took a trip without my family that was for pleasure rather than work.
|
|
|
Post by cando on Dec 2, 2009 23:23:43 GMT -5
There was someone who got her house cleaned up by coming here & she would read 3 posts (I think it was 3) and then go do something and then come back... or something like that. Dang it! my awful memory... CD
|
|
|
Post by Rosebud on Dec 3, 2009 4:59:14 GMT -5
The first thing in the morning for me, as an established routine, is to get up, open bedroom window, start the coffee maker - and then the computer.
This morning I started a little timer after I had started the computer. It is ticking away - and it is amazing how time flies!
It is true that the computer has enhanced my life. I have great online friends whom I keep in touch with, wonderful, understanding and supportive people with great insight.
And there is almost no limit to what one can learn.
But - I know I need to limit the time in front of that screen, in order to take care of my immediate surroundings. I think my timer might put things into perspective with that. Scary, really ...
|
|
|
Post by Pig in the City on Dec 3, 2009 13:38:21 GMT -5
All good points. The exception to this, for me, is chat. I feel somehow responsible to keep moving (and off of other pages) when I click "Challenging"
|
|
|
Post by messyjedi on Dec 3, 2009 14:34:34 GMT -5
IMO, there's no set amount of time. However, if you (the generic you) are discussing what you're going to do, commenting to many posts that whatever is giving you food for thought or that you are that way as well, talking about whether something has caused you to be this way from (fill in blank for reason of your choice), saying that you just can't do this today and tomorrow and the next day, etc....and not off the computer and physically DOING...you're using everything as crutches to avoid what you need to be doing as sure as if you'd be watching TV, reading a book, or going shopping to avoid taking action. There has to be a balance between being and doing. And I think we all know what our own balance is; what's good for one may be bad for another. But the bottom line is we all know avoidance when we see it. bingo, we have a winner! The internet is my absolute number one time waster.
|
|
|
Post by dailystruggle on Dec 4, 2009 15:42:00 GMT -5
I'm at such a fragile state right now, that maybe the Internet isn't such a bad thing. I work for a little bit, then read a couple posts, write a couple of posts, make a couple of replys, then go back to work. Looking at some of the stuff on here gives me motivation and inspiration. If at the end of the day I can see progress, I would say that I'm not spending too much time online.
|
|
|
Post by 60isolderthanithot on Dec 13, 2009 20:58:35 GMT -5
If you FEEL as if you are spending too much time, it's too much time. Rearrange something.
|
|
Sapphire G
New Member
Looking for the Upside in Every Situation
Joined: September 2009
Posts: 77
|
Post by Sapphire G on Dec 13, 2009 22:28:50 GMT -5
I definitely spend too much time online. It's become my biggest hobby (procrastination tool) by far & it's somehow it's become a substitute for a social life w/ real live people.
|
|