There *Is* Life Beyond Constant Laptop Usage
This past Saturday my family and I headed down the interstate to Carolina Beach, known formerly as a honky-tonk beach-side resort community, but currently undergoing massive gentrification. For the first time in several years the laptop did not go with me as I decided we just needed to have some time for ourselves. Besides, with all of the energies expended over the days leading up to our excursion with the shifting over of domain names, files, and related material with my recently sold Corporate Flight Attendant Community account, we needed a break.
Yes, I am glad that I left the Dell 600m at home.
Shutting It Down
Believe it or not, you can do the same for yourself: power down the laptop, put it away in a safe place, and take off. Sure, there were times when I would think about one or more web activities while away, but I was okay with not powering up a computer and surfing the ‘net. Instead, strolling the beach, helping the kids navigate the choppy surf, shopping at “Wings,” eating all of the wrong foods, and doing my best not to match the color of a certain crustacean, were several activities I did while away, stuff that could not be done on-line.
Powering Back Up
Go ahead and laugh: I was off-line for a full 54 hours before arriving back home mid-afternoon Monday to check my email, fire off a bunch of replies, check in on several sites, and craft this message which was, of course, written about two hours after logging on.
You may only be able to stand a day away from the ‘puter or your could stretch it out to a week or more, but chances are you’ll do just fine and be able to reconnect with friends, family members, and yourself.
Upon your return, if you imagine that nervous energy will get the better of you, then why not plan an all night StumbleUpon marathon to make up for lost time?
Oh, let’s not go there.
I did the same thing this weekend - I didn’t go to the honky-tonk beach-side resort, but I did take a much needed break from my obsessive behavior with the internet! It was rather pleasant. I spent time with my family and just enjoyed my laptop-less life for a few days! Glad to hear you did the same! Have a great day, Matt!
I plan on doing it again, Lisa. It can get obsessive (oh, just wait a minute I have to check the email…) and something that can negatively impact family life.
Besides, doing the family, fun, and sun routine is a lot more rewarding. Have a good day too!
I always try to set up at least a couple of vacations a year that are computer and cell phone free. I find this helps me to recharge and I always come back with better ideas once I get back from these computer free events.
Well said, Bruce. The time away allows for us to recharge, refocus, and work better. If we all realized the same, we’d be the better off for it.
I know exactly what it feels like to get away. It is easy to get “stuck” on the computer. Even though I absolutely love it. But sometimes I do have to force myself away. Even if only for fuel.
Monika
I have survived several days without the Internet. It was tougher than I initially thought, but I managed. Not having my cell phone with me at all times, well, that’s a different story. I vow to leave it home on our next scheduled holiday — would be interesting how that turns out for me. Cheers, Matt!
Monika, I fully understand! I enjoy working on the computer too.
WC, I brought my cell phone along, but I don’t generally give that number out to clients, just friends and family members. If I were to use it more as a business phone, I would have left that at home too.