I want to quit computer/internet.. Have any of you done this before?

[superfoodist]

So.. I've pretty much separated from everyone I know on facebook, because.. well... I'm growing up, and most of them aren't, but I still end up checking it a lot. I also go on countless forums, looking at pointless posts, doing nothing when I could be reading a book, or trying to go into the world and get involved in some kind of social interaction.

I have minor social anxiety (I got it down A LOT from what it used to be), and the reason it's still "minor" is because of my computer/internet addiction. I notice when I go online, I end up in a "social anxiety" mood after only just 10-15 minutes or so of surfing websites, and it also drains my energy. This ends up lasting the entire day, in which case I tell myself "well, you already went on today, and you're going to have anxiety the rest of the day.. Might as well just stay on and finish since you're not going out".

I took my computer out of my room a month ago, but lately I've just been going on the family computer, so taking it out of my room didn't really achieve much.

I am an extremist, by the way. So for anyone who says "just go on for a half hour everyday"... I can't do that. I'm addicted. For me it's either all or nothing, and that's not going to change.

So the reason I'm here, is to ask if any of you have quit computer/internet/video games for an extended period of time, and if you noticed any benefits from doing so. I want to make this my last 2 days using the internet, but I've said that probably 15 times this past month, and here I am still browsing my days away.

Looking forward to your replys!

[MrProductive]

Im totally with you on this one!

If you find what works let us all know, but wait, if you really do succeed you wont be able to! haha

[CoolBee]

Ha ha yes several times. The last was 5 days completely unwillingly earlier this year. I live in Egypt and in late January when the revolution kicked off, 'they' pulled the plug on the entire internet. My friends and I had the cleanest homes you've ever seen that week

There was also a week a couple of years ago when some trawler ship in the Mediterranean ripped up the under the sea cables which connected the Middle East and large parts of Africa and India to the internet! That's happened a couple of times, but the last time it happened, my net was only out for 24 hours as my ISP rerouted everyone through an alternative (wonderful, high speed, obviously designed for businesses paying a lot!) route - shame it went back to normal when the cables got fixed. Again, a LOT got done that normally doesn't!

Also, before I quit work and moved here, I used to take 1 week a year 100% off all computers. My work involved close screen work with figures and my eyes used to get all flicky so I needed a week off every year to get them to stop flicking all the time!

I did live without tv entirely for several years too. I listened to the radio (talking radio not music - plays, discussions and so forth).

You can do it. The main problem these days with doing it though is the amount of communication that goes on via email (no snail mail where I live) and skype (again, calling my family and friends back in the home country would be impossible using normal landline / mobiles from a cost point of view).

[Foxree]

Running from one thing gets you another..Try to get some stronger positive habits in a mix to help you out ! Goodluck.

[wanzulfikri]

Well, for one thing being liberated from all the tech gizmos really makes me feel great.

I can if I want to. But, I have to use the technology in order to support myself.

[ZephyrusX]

I've quit certain parts of the internet (mostly different forums) for a few months or completely. I think going cold turkey is the way to go. If I try to limit my time, it almost never really works. Having a project to keep you busy is important too. If I don't have something to keep me preoccupied, I'll always go back on the forums.

[Matt Maresca]

I'm a huge fan of personal challenges. If I feel that something would benefit my life from avoiding it, I set up a challenge to avoid it for a significant period of time. Sure, I'm still thinking about it a lot but every day I feel my personal power growing by showing myself that I can do without this thing.

I've done it with Facebook, but certainly never the entire internet being that 95% of my business is done on the internet.

[Pot head]

Similar thing here...same problem..

[rubixmon]

While I don't like the idea of completely getting rid of your use of the internet, I want to suggest finding something you can do other then it if you want to stop "cold turkey". Finding a new, interesting, time consuming hobby will help a lot with staying away from the internet.

[superfoodist]

@MrProductive, that's the problem!! lol

I've had it easy when I was quitting cigarettes, porn, drinking, etc because I could just google "Benefits of Quitting X" and I would get a bunch of websites to look at. When you look up "Benefits of Quitting Computer" (or Internet), there's absolutely nothing - because anyone who quit the computer/internet wouldn't be able to post about it lol.

But yeah, I really want to quit and try to get out there and find a girlfriend, some new like-minded friends, and perform my music, but I feel like computer addiction holds me back from all that.

Have any of you that completely quit computer for a period of time notice any significant changes in your social life?

[Kronique]

yes its totally possible. look up : leechblock for firefox or WasteNoTime for safari. For Chrome there is StayFocused.

For me though, i find its more effective to find out WHY you want to quit getting on the internet. You will always find some opposition in yourself against any method if you don't do it for yourself.

Practice self-denial.

Self-denial isn't actually denial, it is not selling yourself short, or getting less from life because you are working. You really do get more from life.
The experience is richer.