21 Day Trial - No Computer except updating this blog

[jakezhang718]

Title says it all. I'm a junior in high school and I feel that I spend WAY too much time on the computer. I'm starting to turn into an addict, and need to get out more. I see the benefits of doing this as gaining social skills, finding various other methods of studying/researching, improvement in health (especially posture), and much more. From tomorrow on I shall only turn on the computer at 10 pm to update this blog for 5 minutes and then that's it. We will see how it goes.

[Stephen]

What about checking

email?

online banking?

replying to posts?

[jakezhang718]

Originally Posted by Stephen

What about checking email?

I'm still in high school, so no real serious emails yet. I get letters from colleges, and my friends can call me if an event occurs.

Originally Posted by Stephen

online banking?

I'm 16, my checking account has under 100 dollars in it. I have no bills to pay, I have no financial concerns, if anything I can run to my local bank.

Originally Posted by Stephen

replying to posts?

Depending on number of questions, I'll occasionally add an extra 5 minutes to my daily writing on this blog. The goal of the trial is to keep me focused through out the day, so that I finish my work before 10 pm which is usually when I go to sleep. I believe I can exercise enough control over this trial and stay on task.

[beel]

i sort of wish i could do this. i have been feeling really addicted to the computer lately, habitually going straight for it and sitting there not accomplishing much for hours. unfortunately (but really fortunately), my work is all done on the computer and i'm self employed so i'd be out of a job by cutting it out completely. i've been toying with some ideas the past few weeks how to make my computer time more productive and therefore spend less time in front of the machine. the past few days, ive not been allowing myself to go on the computer for at least an hour after i wake up. i must admit that it has felt almost like waiting for christmas morning for me and am always curious to see what awaits me when i get online.... namely how much money i've made, what kind of communications and challenges i'll have for the day, etc.

[jakezhang718]

Screwed up today :-( Will start again tomorrow :-)
Day 0
What I've learned:
- Find alternatives before getting on the computer
- Make a list of things to do
- Know beforehand what you're going to do on the computer

Day 1 will officially begin tomorrow.
Thanks for reading.

[gettingskinny]

This is a great idea! Don't start over, just move forward w/it!

[crazlunatic]

what's ur blog?

[gettingskinny]

Originally Posted by crazlunatic

what's ur blog?

i think he's referring to this thread.

[m0vingon]

Love the idea. I could benefit from following suit. However, I am such an incredible information hog, I just couldn't do it! I run to my PC to look up any little thing that comes to mind. It's all information-type stuff; background info on history, who sings a particular song, what is this med and what does it do, etc.

What i could do without is computer games, online shopping, and other consumerist activities (like surfing inStyle online and feeling the overwhelming need to buy an entire new wardrobe, or looking at home reno sites and feeling the desire to redecorate the whole house)

I hope your trial goes well. I'll look forward to reading about your progress.

[Kaspian]

In October I did a 7-day experiment with no reading, and I included almost all computer use as off limits for that week. (I allowed myself a few minutes twice a day to stay caught up on scheduling-type emails.) No games, no movies, no news, no comic, no books, etc. It was a worthwhile experience that really made me aware of how I had been spending my time, usually heading to the keyboard and screen out of habit. When my default activities were removed, I made fully conscious choices about how to spend my time, noticed things around the house that had been silently nagging me for a long time, and got a lot of useful things done. My mind quieted, too.