Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Step away from the Computer



Any day that I have to spend at home is a good day. I run, like most of you, ALL THE TIME.



So, once a week, I really try to stay home and focus on what I need to get done in my house. Like a little thing called laundry. Oh and cleaning. Organizing the mountain of papers that are necessary for first grade and preschool (honestly, how many trees does it take to let us know what is happening in school?), paying bills. You know all that really boring stuff.



But when I am home I also do one other thing. A LOT. I spend too much time on my computer.


I don't spend too much time writing on my blog. My mind is a pretty simple place, so it doesn't require too much time getting out what I need to say. No, the time is spent reading all the other great blogs out there and emailing.



So, I tested my time on the computer recently on one of these days at home. I tracked it. Just a little tick every time I checked my email or blog or went online. 14 times in one day!



Okay, that is too much in one day, isn't it? Tell me it really isn't. It will make me feel so much better!!! To be fair, my computer is right in one of my main living spaces. I see it every time I go up and down the stairs. So, on the way to run toys or dirty socks upstairs, I check my email. Then when I come back down, I treat myself to a recent article on one of my favorite blogs or websites.



I have also been treating myself to a little chocolate from my big red heart that I received on V-Day. So, it goes like this. Come downstairs, grab a chocolate, check a blog. Go back to my household chores. Sounds like a perfectly reasonable system to me!



Also, my computer is always on. I did read on a popular blog where she says that she actually turns her computer off until the afternoon or evening time.



OFF? As in NOT ON.



That is huge! Oh, could I do that? Maybe later. But for now, I will just try to discipline myself to half my time on the computer. And then if that doesn't work, then we can try to turn it OFF for a few hours a day.




So, how about you? How much time do you spend on your computer? What do you think is a normal amount of time on the computer and do you every turn yours off?
And if you want to get really deep here, why do you think we spend so much time on our computers? I find it relaxing. I enjoy it more than TV and really love reading what others have to say about life and such.

8 comments:

Dawn said...

GUILTY! I could've written your post. It's an addiction and I hate that it bit me! I've been trying to reduce my time as well. And yes, the computer is on alllll day at our house, too...

Alene said...

It is so easy to loose track of time on the computer. I go searching for something and look here I am on your sight. Love the places the computer takes me too. However, I really try to watch my time. I guess there are pros and cons to modern conveniences. Thanks for the reminder from your blog. Alene

Sarah said...

Um, I can't even talk about it. It wasn't a real problem until we got a lap top and went wireless. Before that, our compouter was upstairs so it was really hard to keep an eye on everyone and hang out....now it's on the dining room table and I would venture to guess that I check my email more than 14 times each day.

Musings of a Housewife said...

I'm in the same position as you. It's in my main living space, it's always on, we have high speed internet, and I regularly check email or sit down to read a blog or five. :-) I do spend A LOT of time online. I also write for like 5 blogs now, YOIKS!!! SO between that, and reading and emailing, yeah. A LOT of time. But, as you say, it's better than TV. Conversely, I never have the TV on during the day.

Chrissy said...

Yes, yes, yes. I actually use it as a reward: finish a chore, read one more blog, but it turns into two and then three, and then time flies.

And what is this off button you speak of?

The Buntens said...

Well, from the looks of these comments it seems that my computer use is normal among fellow bloggers.

Thank you ladies for chatting this up with me!

One way to decrease computer time is to redecorate your house. Except that requires money, so I have finally rationalized that blogging is cheaper!

Rachel said...

Ha Ha! What a cute post and I think it applies wonderfully to most of us bloggers!
I actually totally cleared out both kids' rooms and rearranged them.. felt so good about it, I played on the computer for a while.
It is addicting and easy to while away the days without even realizing you've done it.
Looks like you have a great thing going here. You were on the blogherads so I clicked. I'll return ;-)

Queen B said...

I've been feeling guilty about the same thing. Too much time spent reading blogs!!

The laptop definitely made it worse...

Maybe I'll try that turning off thing.

Blog Widget by LinkWithin