Thursday, January 27, 2011

Technology Overload

Do you ever feel like all you do is waste time on the computer? 

For a while now, it has completely taken over all of my free time. 

My "to do" lists are left undone, while I try to fit in my basic "Mom" duties between checking out the computer each day.

It is such a waste of time. . . . . 

Plus, the pressure of commenting, reading blogs, reading facebook, living up to expectations I've put on myself.

Then ... I just don't want the pressure anymore. I just want to quit!!

I've put my blog on Private and then back again to Public several times this week. I know I need to blog and keep my personal journal up to date and would hate it if my family couldn't read it.  

But then, WHAT is there to blog about when you work and then waste time on the computer day after day?

Boring life -- that is what happens. 

I need to snap out of it and "get a life". Quit living my life by checking out what others are doing. 

I read an article yesterday about "Farewell to Facebook" here.
The article completely spoke to what I was feeling. I decided to delete all of the people who have "found me" through facebook. People I went to school with 30 years ago and never have kept in touch with. It was good to see them on facebook and catch up on what they are doing - but then the day to day life stuff goes on and on. Stuff I don't relate to because I don't know them - but I get sucked into their "wonderful" life and start feeling like such a failure. 

All of a sudden I don't want to blog or share - because I'm not good enough.

SAD....

I sat and deleted all of the people from my ward and school days. Now my facebook profile only has 16 people from immediate family whom I love and love me. People I won't waste time on - my time on. 

I felt relief. I felt like I could start being "me" again. 

I know it sounds silly ... but just deleting "facebook acquaintances" ... has been freeing. Now I won't get my feelings hurt by some brash statement someone says. 

Today, I came home from work and started on my "to do" list. I may have an actual life again - when I limit the hours spent on the computer. 

This will be a great thing. The article was an eye opener and I think it is going to give my life back again. I feel better today .... like a load has been lifted off. It's kinda funny how I feel freer in blogging to people who don't know me and don't really care what I blog about. 

aaaaahhhhh It's been uplifting to get back to what I want to do and not impressing anyone. :-D
(I can't even imagine if I played computer games - thank goodness I don't)

10 comments:

Rhonda said...

This is how I feel, but mine is because I am working on the computer 9 hours a day plus doing school work 4-5 hours a day. I am so burnt right now and would love to have some life off the computer. But it is not an option. Glad you are finding motivation to get things done. Love and miss you.

Welcome to the Garden of Egan said...

Amen Sondra!

Ann Marie said...

Facebook is my e-mailing system.. and so I need it. But.. your right.. do we need to have people on that lived long ago in our lives??

I have felt REALLY bad with my blog lately for different reasons.. but I then remember that discouragment comes from You know who.. and we can do wonders with our thoughts typed out--boring or not!!!

I have missed hearing from you.. and have missed some of those cleaning posts. I know they are probably a lot of work...but so helpful!

Sometimes when I am cleaning certain things.. I think.. I wonder how Sondra would clean this? What would she use?

I hope that I haven't offended you in any way...

Pitterle Postings said...

I feel the same way, the only thing that helps is by limiting my time. I write my blog before I read others, then I read what I want and when my time is up, I go do something else. It is the only way for me to keep the monster, that is the black hole of the computer, in control.

Janel said...

Hi Sondra,
I haven't commented in a while, but I still come here everyday :)

Just recently, I deleted myself off of Facebook, because I was spending so much time on the computer. I would spend time on Facebook and reading so many blogs, that I was doing no housework and my home looked like a tornado went through and I couldn't stand it any longer! I stayed away for almost 2 weeks and got thing back in order. I now have to limit my computer/television time or I will accomplish nothing!

Like Ann, I too miss your cleaning posts! I look back in the archives when I am going through a cleaning post withdrawl :)

I'm glad that you're feeling better and did what you had to do on Facebook!
Janel in NJ

Valerie said...

Glad you're feeling so good! We definitely need to be in control of the "tools" we use, whatever they are, and not let us control us.

Tigersue said...

I removed myself from facebook a few months ago. I had enough, enough of feeling guilt, and pressured, and spending too much time even thought I was having fun doing it.

Sometimes I log onto my husbands account for the fun of it, but I'm even stopping that.

I'm still not getting much done, but I am reading again. :)

CB said...

Sondra ~ It is definately a balance. I have never joined Facebook and I never will. I have not missed it in my life at all. I think it is funny when people say "I wish you were on Facebook". I think "What? Why? I'm talking to you right now!.
The blog is a journal but like anything else it can monopolize your time if you let it.
I joined the Saturday Centus and every Saturday I do a quick little creative writing post. It has been so fulfilling to me. I think there are definately good ways an bad ways to use technology!

Zoey said...

Balance in life is the hardest thing ... I go on breaks from facebook. That being said, there are people (mostly in my ward for visiting teaching and such) that I can only reach through facebook. So, I persist. But I have had my feelings hurt several times ...

Michelle said...

I thoroughly enjoy your blog--especially the seminary devotionals & primary posts. and the cleaning ones, and your motivational monday's, and....OK==I just like your blog!!! :D

thanks for letting a "stranger" follow your blog & benefit greatly!

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