So what have you been up to?
I got off Facebook for a few days. The truth is, I will probably be back before anybody really notices I'm gone. I disabed my page Friday because...well, I don't know. It seemed like a good idea. I think maybe it's good to take a break from it once in a while.
A few observations:
* Facebook has become too much of my social life. If it weren't for that website, I probably wouldn't talk to anybody. I've become very dissatisfied with that fact. Not that I don't like keeping in touch with a lot of people at one time, but with some people, that's the only time I'd talk to them. I guess it's better than nothing, but I think how easy it has become easier to comment or like a status and harder to pick up the phone. Time to fix that.
* It probably won't stick because sometimes it will be difficult to do my job without it. That became evident when I did a weather story and the guy told me he was posting information on their Facebook page. Many businesses are on Facebook, and there is so much information that now goes out over it that it could actually hinder research. Fortunately not a tremendous amount, but enough to be an inconvenience. Not to mention it's great for finding sources.
* I think sometimes Facebook can be a little tough on the self-esteem. I don't know about you, but when Holly Homemaker posts that she is able to bake a perfect spaceship cake, keep her house spotless and the laundry caught up and climb Mt. Everest without scuffing her nail polish, I get a little discouraged. But most people, like in life, only put their best foot forward on Facebook. I know I do. I'm not going to post "So today I didn't shower, I'm sending my kids out for pizza and I'm watching my 15th straight episode of Big Bang Theory." No, I'm going to tell you about this awesome thing I did or this delighfully witty thought I had. But then someone else will post that today they're flying to Kilimanjaro or building a house with their bare hands and well...I'm just little ol' me, proud of myself for cleaning the toilet today. Let the negativity begin.
* In the same vein, I got rid of cable because I did not want to live my life on the couch watching people's lives play out on a little box. Facebook is the same thing. I spend way too much time watching all of my friends live their lives out on my computer screen and my phone, when I should be out doing something.
I dunno. I think maybe I just lost focus. Facebook isn't bad. I just want to break some habits, and maybe rethink the way I use it. I've had a lot of little things going wrong lately and I realized I needed to shift my focus back to the things that are important. Like my job, the kids, the house, my friends. In person.
It's been good! I pulled the plug on Friday and since then, I feel like I actually talk to my kids more. No more checking Facebook at stop lights. More focused at work. I've been reading a book. I feel more present pretty much everywhere and I'm getting stuff done. And I can accomplish things and enjoy that without having to tell the world all about it on Facebook.
Speaking of, I painted my coffee and end tables! I'll post pics as soon as I'm on Facebook again. ;)
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Sunday, February 10, 2013
I did it
I whacked the cable the landline last week.
It was partly for financial reasons -- that one phone call saved me more than $100 a month. Well, really about $1,000 a year, since I've been sending Comcast a big enough check every tax time to cover a year's worth of cable, phone and internet services. This year they get a third of that. That makes me happy. New couch, come to Mama!
But part of it too was that I realized my kids watch TV and movies on the internet. Seriously! I have been paying for something that they were doing for free. I was the only one who watched the darned cable, and way more than I wanted to. Every evening I camped out in PJs in my customary spot on the couch. The laundry piled up, papers piled up, dust bunnies multiplied. I stopped walking and gained weight. Ugh!
My first year on my own I didn't have any of those services. When I first got cable/internet/phone four years ago, I outlawed electronics during the week. The kids should be doing homework, I said, so no TV, computer, video games, etc. Yeah, I'm mean. I know.
It went for me, too. The TV only came on for the music channels. I cooked dinner, went for walks, read, cleaned the house after work. Spent more time with the kids. Yeah, I blogged, too. Things just seemed more efficient. I had one or two shows that I liked to watch, but I didn't need to make sure I caught up on the latest episodes. Besides, I had OnDemand for that.
Over time, the television came on more and more often. I began to look too forward to couch time. I'm not hatin', but I always said I wanted to do things, not watch people doing things on a little box.
So I axed the cable. It's been about a week and let me tell you....I am now bored! LOL
No, it's not bad, really. It is an adjustment, though. The piles are getting smaller. I have discovered ebooks at the library and have one I'm reading and one waiting to be read. I'm caught up to only THIS week's laundry. I'm actually calling friends again. I like to think they've missed me. And soon I'm going to get my chunky butt back outside and around the block...although if my sister and I end up joining the Kroc Center like we're talking, that will become a mute point.
It's back to the beginning and it will take some getting used to, but I rest much better at night knowing I did stuff that day.
It was partly for financial reasons -- that one phone call saved me more than $100 a month. Well, really about $1,000 a year, since I've been sending Comcast a big enough check every tax time to cover a year's worth of cable, phone and internet services. This year they get a third of that. That makes me happy. New couch, come to Mama!
But part of it too was that I realized my kids watch TV and movies on the internet. Seriously! I have been paying for something that they were doing for free. I was the only one who watched the darned cable, and way more than I wanted to. Every evening I camped out in PJs in my customary spot on the couch. The laundry piled up, papers piled up, dust bunnies multiplied. I stopped walking and gained weight. Ugh!
My first year on my own I didn't have any of those services. When I first got cable/internet/phone four years ago, I outlawed electronics during the week. The kids should be doing homework, I said, so no TV, computer, video games, etc. Yeah, I'm mean. I know.
It went for me, too. The TV only came on for the music channels. I cooked dinner, went for walks, read, cleaned the house after work. Spent more time with the kids. Yeah, I blogged, too. Things just seemed more efficient. I had one or two shows that I liked to watch, but I didn't need to make sure I caught up on the latest episodes. Besides, I had OnDemand for that.
Over time, the television came on more and more often. I began to look too forward to couch time. I'm not hatin', but I always said I wanted to do things, not watch people doing things on a little box.
So I axed the cable. It's been about a week and let me tell you....I am now bored! LOL
No, it's not bad, really. It is an adjustment, though. The piles are getting smaller. I have discovered ebooks at the library and have one I'm reading and one waiting to be read. I'm caught up to only THIS week's laundry. I'm actually calling friends again. I like to think they've missed me. And soon I'm going to get my chunky butt back outside and around the block...although if my sister and I end up joining the Kroc Center like we're talking, that will become a mute point.
It's back to the beginning and it will take some getting used to, but I rest much better at night knowing I did stuff that day.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)