30 Day Challenge - Laptoping Outside

[oBakasan]

I have realized lately that I spend way too much time at my room in front of the computer, thus limiting both my social options (it's hard to make new friends in my own room) and creativity (spending the whole day in a small cubicle can make you bored and unmotivated).

I could just stop using my computer, but over the years I've (intentionally) become very much dependent on it. As most of us, I use it for working, learning, communicating, logging, analyzing and much much more. Going "offline" is simply not an option.

So, with that said, I bought myself a portable laptop and a 2 year "get internet access anywhere" subscription in order to, well, start working outside of my room. I'm actually sitting in a park right now (and while we're on the topic, it has suddenly become VERY VERY dark outside...)

My intention with this plan is that it will encourage me to go outside of my house more, thus allowing me to live the kind of fulfilled and exciting life that I've always dreamed of. It will also allow me to make new friends as that is what the outside is generally used for.

Not to mention all the fresh air and sunshine I would be getting! (Wait, when did I become a plant?)

Thus, I will make a 30 day challenge! - To work on my laptop outside of my house for at least 90 minutes each day (1 battery life).
Also, even when in the house, I will use it in the lounge where my housemates hang out in order to proliferate contact with them.

If I succeed at this, I will buy myself a new battery for the laptop!

Perhaps if I like it, I will move on to doing all of my work outside. Who knows? For now, I will let you guys stay tuned.

EDIT: Ah! The owls are scaring me ;_;

[oBakasan]

It's day three and I just dropped my modem into the river.

It was tricky to get it out, but thankfully it still works. At least the scenery in front of me is nice ^^;

[Matt Willard]

Talk about getting close to nature.

[icanhaveablast]

You should consider a trial that would help you become less dependent on the internet. What about shutting your computer off when you're at home and going out, and only letting yourself turn it on for a few minutes before shutting it off again?

I find that when I do that I'm usually more productive. I often keep my computer on so I can be listening to music, but lately I've started listening to music on my iPod and shutting my computer off when I don't need to be using it. And it works out pretty well.

[Matt Willard]

icanhaveablast's got a point. Perhaps you should try gradually lowering your dependence on it. See what you can do off the computer to replace on-computer activities.

In fact, when I've done my work for tomorrow and checked my sites, I'm gonna shut off my machine and go do some other stuff.

[Idaka]

I have done something similar to your trial. I went one step further and took my laptop with me, without any internet. I went to coffee shops, outside, etc to get out of the house (I work from home and it tends to get monotonous).

What I realized though, is that I was just trading surroundings. I was still isolated because I had my face in the screen. No one spoke to me and the few times I spoke to someone else was polite conversation because I would bury my head in the computer within a few minutes.

Personally I think keeping my computer separate from human interaction helps, because I tend to use it as a crutch! Just my thoughts!