That was just what I needed to hear, Sheila. I too spend a lot of time on le internets because I don't want to go out in "the real world." Mayhap I shall venture out today. Beautifully written.

Very insightful post. We're doing something similar with the television--only put it on for something you know you want to see, not for white noise. I wish you luck, and I'll be sorry not to read you every day, but it's quality, not quantity, that really counts. :-)

I'll still be pushing Refresh every day without fail, just in case!

I wish the very best for you! If I don't see you here much, I will know that you are happily doing real things with real stuff and real people that you love.

Go, Sheila! I have also recently decided to cut down on my computer time, but am having a hard time doing it (habits can be so hard to change). Good for you.

Wow! This is hitting a little close to home...

I want updates to see how you fare with your newly imposed restrictions (I guess the idea being something along the lines of "if she can do it, I should be able to do it as well") because this all sounds quite severe.

I also want to share a brand new blog with you (great timing, eh?), Dances with Wool, that my Finnish friend just started. She's a brilliant knitter and writer and I'm feeling very pleased that I talked her into starting a blog.

What an incredible coincidence that you posted these thoughts today, Sheila. I have been away on vacation - not travel, just time away in eastern Washington - and away from computers and e-commerce (TV, also). Spent a lot of time with people, outdoors, and engaged in fibery activities. It was very relaxing and refreshing, and yes, REAL. This is the first time I have checked my blogs in almost 3 weeks, and I had resolved to be less involved with on-line activites in general. So I say "go for it" but also, don't quit writing...the thoughts and words are more important than pictures of finished projects!

Hey Sheila -
You are SO spot-on. The internet has been eating my lunch ever since 1995 (when I first got online), and blogs (both political and knitting) have proved to be the latest incarnation of my undoing. Just this morning in my Qigong class we were meditating, and I was considering just deleting my entire "Politics" blog bookmarks, to try to have more time to do what I really want to do: knit, spend time w/the K9 (although she's in my lap as I type, and seems to be happy), have a clean house and an uncluttered mind.

I'm considering that cold turkey may not be the way to go, but I must find a way to limit my blog-reading time.

You are right. Time for REAL LIFE.

Sravana, who hasn't updated the blog in quite a while.

It's funny and almost ironic that as I sat down to read this entry (and eat my soup) as my lunchtime activity, a dear friend knocked on my door and said, "hey diana, let's go for a walk." So we did. Instead of sitting in front of the computer for another half hour and then returning to work, sitting in front of it for another three hours, I got to enjoy a brisk walk on a lovely fall day.
I hear what you are saying about letting life pass us by, cause this medium is sooooooo easy. But REAL life is even better. Thanks for your thoughts.

I try to limit my computer time to two hours. Some days it's a bit more but I start my day with reading my Bible on my computer and a quick check of my email. Late evening when other people might be reading in bed, I read the blogs I enjoy. But I'm making a conscious effort not to turn on the computer in the middle of the day. I don't buy much over the Internet so that's not a problem for me. My finances in retirement haven't turned out to be as plentiful as I had thought they'd be so buying on the Internet or in real stores is being watched with the eye toward having money to do the things I really enjoy ... traveling to visit friends, etc.

But then I will miss you! It's not fair to do that to your far away and virtual friends. Waaaahhhhhh.

I hear you loud and clear Sheila! I often consider discontinuing blog-reading altogether because it takes up so much of my time.

I recently have had to return to work (kicking and screaming) so it should be interesting to see how it affects my computer time.

I'm a luddite trapped in a Microsoftie's body! I think I'm the only person in the company that regularly uses a hand-crank butter churn and refuses to get a cell phone.

You should get some sheep and a few chickens. That'll keep you grounded in the non-virtual.

I read a book recently: Better Off. You might enjoy it.

Take care!

Ps Want some more Cotswold fleeces? : )

Ahhh, I've been thinking along these lines as well. The last two months of very limited time at the computer has made me reevaluate the use of my time. I've already unsubscribed from one chat list and have been seriously thinking of removing myself from all of them! I love the thoughtful blogs I read, but discovered that, when I was forced to limit my time so much, I chose mostly the blogs of people I know in person--they are like a regular Christmas letter and a way to keep in touch. My spinning mentor asks me over and over again, how do you find the time to be on the computer? And I realized that she gets a tremendous amount of work done in a day. Hmmmmm.

Um. You've obviously hit a nerve with a lot of people, myself included. I shall need to think about this *very* carefully....
But please don't disappear completely, blogs will be the last thing that I relinquish.

Wow! Looks like I'm hardly the only one in this big boat. I've made a pact (not with the devil) that I will spend no more than one hour on the computer per day. That hour can be broken up if I wish, but the restriction applies.

Yesterday I got an amazing amount of stuff done, and still had a huge chunk of day to spend quilting and knitting and socializing. It felt really good. However, I couldn't believe the number of times I "felt the urge" to run check my email or see comments on the blog. Withdrawal?

Self-imposed restrictions? Nope, self-imposed FREEDOM, Sheila. I restrict blog-reading to once a week on occassional blogs, and twice a month to the others-which i weeded out considerably.It's nice to get my real life back.
Now if i could eliminate having to do computer graphics and get back to the old LeRoy Lettering set and my rapideographs ...bwa ha ha.

Oh my! I've also recently noted that the internet and TV is keeping me from a great deal of living. Thanks for the post, Sheila. Today, with your words in mind, I had a REAL day!

Great post! Also came on a day when our house has been experiencing a "revolt of the machines"....only to prove that they really are revolting (the adjective, not the verb).

WOW! very thoughtful entry ~ what you said is so true for me as I spend way too much time on the computer ~ you hit the nail squarely on the head!
Although I must say that you've always seemed to get alot done, even with your time at the computer.
best wishes!!

In case any of you have been trying to find the Finnish blog I mentioned, Dancing With Wool, this is the url: http://www.lenealve.blogspot.com/

Thank you Sheila for letting me clarify.

I limit my blog reading to Friday mornings. I check my e-mail when I eat breakfast unless I am waiting for an important e-mail - then I will check in the late afternoon. I have gone no-mail from most of my lists and winnowed out the blog reading to the ones who send me a "letter from home". I,too, have gotten an amazing amount of work done. I now see why some people think I crochet so fast... well, time is the key. And, of course, when I don't feel well, I have many blogs to catch up on instead of feeling ill.

Wow, what an amazing post. It really hit home. I looked back on my week and what I accomplished--not enough. Why? Too much time spent surfing and web reading.

I have managed to cut back my on-line shopping (though I won't completely give it up--I'm too busy to go out and shop most of the time), but I need to just cut down on the computer time.

I do feel I have a really community of friends out there, but I also need to spend more time on my work so that I can spend more time with my family, knitting, being in the world etc.

Thanks, and good luck on your quest.

Oh sure, make me cry.

What an amazing post, Sheila. And one that hits home for me as well. I have one yahoo group where I know most all of the members in real time and could never seriously consider being without them in my day. But, with few exceptions, I could certainly spend much less time on the internet and much more productive time than I do. Not that I would subject my darling to my cooking, but you know, other stuff. Thanks for saying this so beautifully.

Is that all there is? Survival? I mean... surely there's something more... or, less? Jeez. That's a little, I don't know-- reductionist? Is that a word?

Meeeppp... did you have to describe us all so well... I too know I stay online too much, since I retook up knitting I've spent a lot less time. I love to sit and knit, with my pup at my feet and some good DVDs.

Glad to see you're surviving the withdrawal. Beginning to think I should set up net nanny and limit myself with it, now who do I trust with the password?

Interesting how many readers spent the time typing an entry about the brillian idea of spending less time online, isntead of just walking away from the computer.