Tuesday, March 10, 2009

I Learned That Life Will Go On If I Don't Blog One Day


I've been doing some thinking about the ole' blog lately. I try to evaluate my activities every so often when I start to feel overwhelmed.

Then I read this and have actually seen other bloggers all over the place evaluating their own blogs and the amount of media they participate in.

Let me back up a bit, though.

I was telling my husband about a week ago how I needed a new phone - a Blackberry. I recently got a new phone so he asked why I thought I needed another new phone and one that he will have to pay extra for each month.

My response was

To check email, Twitter, Facebook, my blog and to text properly of course. It's so hard to push all those characters over and over again to get the right letter.


He kind of chuckled.
Okay, he has an iPhone.
Ancient Chinese Secret: One that has iPhone should not laugh at one that does not.
So, whatever.

Then a couple days later I told him that I thought I needed a laptop computer.

Not ever wanting to deny me anything - he's good like that - he asked why.

I responded,
Well, so I can blog and check email and Twitter and Facebook in different places, like in front of the TV or at the park or outside while the kids are playing. And take it on trips.

No chuckle this time. But I am getting a little chuckle at myself looking back on my own words.

Anyway, after a little thought, he said yes but his reasons were much different than mine! He's a thinker and thank goodness one of us is. We'd be in big trouble, otherwise.

He actually said that if I wanted a new laptop, I could get one because the kids are using the desktop much more and he doesn't like to take his laptop on trips, so he could see the use in getting me one. Plus, he wants to support my little hobby here.

Yay, me! New Laptop!

So, it occurred to me that his reasons were sound in why we would invest in a new laptop.

It also occurred to me that my reasons were, well, so I could blog more and be on the computer more.

And then what finally occurred to me is that,

What I really needed here was a little perspective.

So, after about a week of himming and hawing, I decided to hold off on both the Blackberry and laptop for a bit. Oh, I see how this "thinking things through" works - it makes you do logical things that are no fun.

Here's a thought, Janel: Limit the kid's time on the computer. AND MINE. Don't take a laptop on trips. Really these things are much more in line with my value system and it is crazy how the increased time we spend on media just sneaks up on me.

So, I learned this week that it's okay if I am not on Facebook every day, if I don't Twitter my every move and if I skip a day blogging because my life is just not that interesting.

I'm pretty sure that life will go on and I will actually get to be enjoying it instead of just talking about it in every media forum I can.

I think Spring is getting to me or something. I might have just made a practical decision.


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14 comments:

Liz said...

It seems like I evaluate the use of my time a lot, too. I think we need to, otherwise months go by and we wonder how we got to where we find ourselves with our priorities all askew.

Wendy said...

Spend less time on the computer? Wait... I can't wrap my head around that one... ;o)

Unknown said...

I think you are a smart women! I struggle with my need to be in touch, online, on the phone etc.

Musings of a Housewife said...

Wow, good for you, being all responsible! I will say that having a Blackberry helps IN A WAY b/c I can catch up on email when I'm at the gas station or waiting in the pickup line for my kids and then when I get home I'm not all eager to jump onto the computer to see what's going on. I feel like having it handy when I'm out helps me not be on the computer so much at home. So you may find that it's not such an indulgence after all. :-)

And I do have to say, that I LURV my laptop. But if I had to choose one over the other, I'd go with the Blackberry in a sec!!

Emily said...

What a technological dependent society we've become! I sometimes feel like I'm going crazy if I can't check my email every few hours, or if I don't make it onto Facebook at least once a day. Pathetic, yes? Good for you for taking a step back and looking at what you really NEED. I should probably do the same. I found you through Musings of a Housewife, by the way. =)

Darci said...

This post sums up my thoughts lately. I want a laptop. But I don't need one.. :)

Terra said...

Yes yes yes. I took my bloggy break because of a family emergency. and in that time I realized that life goes on even when I don't blog. I am going to post the whole long sorted story of me and my little blog soon, and when I do it will very much mirror some of these thoughts!

Unknown said...

Great post - and great self-control in resisting the new laptop. Not sure if my resolve would have been so strong.

Jenny said...

Great post. I don't know if I could give up the www but setting limits is doable. Someone posted about putting herself on a timer. I started doing this and find it's just what I need otherwise I'm missing out on my life while trying to catch up on everyone else's.

Deb Browning said...

it's okay not to blog every day but your life IS interesting! And your ability to draw me into it and make me feel like I'm right there is a gift!

EE said...

Exactly the reason I deactivated my FB account...
I think it's all about balance. I struggle with this:)

GladMom24 said...

Well said.
I've given up meat on Fridays for Lent. So after 2 days of pondering this and praying and realizing I am about 4 days behind on my Lent devotional I'm going to add no www to my Fridays until Easter. a Friday blackout.

fortyb4forty said...

I struggle with getting sucked into spending too much time with technology instead of family and friends. Most of my close friends are not into twittering and blogging so it helps that I don't have that added pressure.

Messy Mommy said...

I have a laptop and I know I wouldn't spend so much time on the net if I couldn't sit in front of the tv. Awful I know. I was thinking I needed a blackberry too but I'm sure I don't actually NEED it.

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