Now, that’s pretty, isn’t it? I find I like starting my day gazing upon this beauty.
Oh, but I forgot – I actually started my day with a cup of coffee and a good book. As you know, I’ve been doing that for a week or so. I cannot tell you what a difference it’s made in my early morning hours. As of today – mid-August – I’ve read as many books as I normally read in an entire month. (By the way, I keep a list of the books I have read on Just Let Me Finish This Page – it’s in the navigation bar.) Obviously, I deeply love reading, but beyond that, the more I read, the more books I can share with you, either on this blog or on Just Let Me Finish This Page. I feel much more productive. And I feel calmer, more rooted, because reading a good book does that for me.
It’s so much more satisfying than endlessly surfing the web.
And that’s the other change that’s happening right now. I am being very selective about when and for how long I go online. I go online at some point in the morning to write my blog post here and every few days, an additional post on JLMFTP. I read my email. I reply to comments. And I visit some blogs and news sites. I check in on Facebook.
And then I sign out.
The internet is wondrous, yes. But it can also be a black hole. We all know how easy it is to go online and come out on the other side several hours later. We shake our heads and wonder “where did the time go?” I’ve been there many times. And sometimes that is necessary; doing research, for example – I do a fair amount of it for my professional work. But most of the time, it isn’t, really – it’s just a visit to a virtual world. And that world is stimulating and full of friends and interesting and educational, but…it’s still virtual.
You could argue that my visits inside the pages of a book are not based on reality, either. And that would be true. But a book stimulates my imagination in a way that my laptop cannot. Books have been a constant in my life since I was a wee girl. That has never changed. And when I read a book, I’m not surfing. I’m reading. I’m following one story, written only in those pages, and a world is created in my mind and not on a laptop screen.
And then there’s life. A life that includes watching a bunny chew on my grass this morning and seeing a young deer eating some vegetation outside my den window, watching birds frolic in the birdbath, cuddling my dog, observing what’s going on around me, taking walks, mowing the lawn, interacting, helping, talking to my husband, talking to my family and friends, doing something creative, gardening, listening to music. Being.
In the end, that’s far more important.
Don and I have discovered that we really have to guard against being on our laptops – he in the living room, me in the den – for long periods of time. Yes, we’re in the same house and we’re together, but we’re also in our own little virtual worlds. There’s that time suck again. The black hole. We’re getting much better about it, I’m happy to say. I’d rather talk to Don, see his face, hear his thoughts, than bury my head in my laptop. We’re working to make space for that in our morning hours. There’s nothing more important.
I write two blogs. One is a book blog, so it involves a fair amount of research, reading and then reviewing books, and searching the web for newsworthy information about all things bookish. This blog is a different animal. It’s a journal of my daily life. I use only my photos, which means I also edit them. I write original content every day – my voice, my words, nothing pulled from Pinterest or other sites – because that’s a choice I made long ago and one I am committed to. I reply to comments. I deal with email. I visit other blogs.
Let’s be honest here, even with all that being done on a daily basis, I really don’t need to be online more than 2 or 3 hours. Often less. Lately, decidedly less.
As always, these are simply my thoughts and realizations about how I choose to spend my time. I love what the internet has afforded me, not the least of which is the opportunity to be a blogger. I can’t even begin to say how wonderful and life-changing that has been for me. I love to write and this blog has been a wonderful way in which to share my writing with you. But now that I’m older and wiser (I can only hope) I have learned that I have to draw a line in the sand. On one side: the internet. On the other side: life. A life lived online for too many hours is not a good thing.
Silly, but sometimes it’s a relatively small change that makes a huge difference. Choosing to read a book for an hour or two upon rising each morning. Not opening the laptop until later in the morning. Knowing when to sign off and close it up.
An agreement with myself.
I’m off to work outside for a while. After I cuddle my doggie and kiss my husband.
Happy Saturday.
Well no doggie to kiss here but I just gave my husband a nice one!!!
I so agree with all you say about being online so much. I love working on my photos, creating posts and following dear blogging friends, but I keep reading myself the riot act regarding time wasted (well much of it) just looking at stuff I don’t even need to know about. Gosh, there are so many interesting and beautiful blogs out there now, especially by young cooks, decorators, travelers etc., but I really don’t need to see them all every day!
I’m trying to read more during the day now. I just can’t stay awake long enough at night when I fall into bed with the current book – a couple of pages and I’m out like a light, except the light’s still on and I know that’s not a good thing – we are told we must sleep in the dark to get the full benefit of rest.
Have a wonderful weekend Claudia.
Hugs – Mary
You, too, Mary! Part of the reason I started reading in the morning was because of what you mention; I’d read a bit and then my eyes would close and I’d be asleep! Something had to change! And yes, there’s so much beauty and eye candy on so many blogs, it’s easy to be caught up in the whole thing. I understand!
Claudia, I too have found myself online for way too long. I’ve edited the posts I follow to those I really enjoy and that has helped. My time is valuable and while I do edit my photos and try to blog at least twice a week (but not always) I am guilty of just cruising the internet looking for ‘something’. Well I’ve started limiting that and have found myself reading more books. It’s made my life more peaceful also. Now with the time spent with my sweet Grandgirl I enjoy a little nap with her also. Life is grand and more enjoyable when you live it not just ‘look’ at it!
hugs,
Linda
Life is much more peaceful that way, isn’t it? Good for you, my friend. Give that sweet granddaughter a kiss from me!
Claudia, you have summed up – perfectly – how I feel about the Internet and its power to take over our days. I have the same problem with the grocery store sometimes. I go through the front doors needing a handful of items – should take $10 and no more than 10 minutes. However, somehow when I start the car to drive home, there are 4-5 bags in the trunk and a receipt for $100 in my wallet. Sounds like you have figured out a great way to avoid getting sucked into the vortex. I think I’ll try taking a page from your book and see what happens. Stay cool and have a wonderful day… :>)
You, too, Janet! It’s a little more humid here today…so I’m going out to do some work before it gets to be too much.
Good Morning Claudia
Each morning as soon as I wake up, I say “Good Morning” to God. On weekday mornings, I take my dog Sadie Bear, for a walk, and as we walk, I have my daily “conversation” with God. Usually though, I’m the one doing all of the talking. I need to learn to Listen more, yet everyday there is something new to see and wonder at! I meet neighbors walking their dogs, view new construction (or destruction), admire other people’s houses , their gardens , the sky,… the clouds… etc., until I finally find myself back home again.
But once I’m home, and once I venture into my studio, I loose track of time Especially after I begin answering my emails which usually happens in between working on my current doll’s house project. It is very easy to be cooped up in front of one or the other ALL DAY and/or ALL NIGH, visiting blogs, watching youtube, pinning on Pinterest, or chatting on Facebook. In fact, I have fallen asleep in my desk chair only to wake up to take the dog out again.
Sheesh!
The computer as well as my hobby, can be just as addictive as any drug , and as you’ve discovered, it requires a regular self-discipline to close it up, leave the studio to save it for another day. then say “Thank you God, now what else do you want me to do?”.
Oh, you’re so right, Elizabeth! I did a little spiritual reading this morning, as well. That’s the most important thing, isn’t it? And that question that you ended your comment with is one I need to remember to ask daily.
As for dollhouses – oh my goodness, I can lose hours working on whatever my current project is! I understand! Lucky you to have your own studio, I bet it’s a haven for you.
Thank you for stopping by!
If ever I felt you were a kindred spirit, it’s clinched with this post. You’ve echoed all my thoughts today. I get particularly distressed with the amount of time my husband spends online after he gets home from work…it’s how he decompresses (and he talks to people all day long with his job, so the last thing he wants to do when he comes home is talk more, even if it’s me, needing his conversation!). One trick he’s doing…I guess I’ve nagged enough…is getting thru his ‘stuff’ he does online, then just shutting the whole thing down (desk computer) and leaving the laptop in the car. It’s too easy to just keep going back and forth to the computer every time you need a break. Better to head for another chair, like maybe out on the porch, in the cooler part of the evening! And, yes, you think, I’ll just eat my lunch here for a few minutes, and then you’ve lost an hour. I think when we begin to see an addiction coming on, most of us put on the brakes. The web is VERY addicting as is online shopping, in my experience. I also think it’s harder to sleep when we’ve just imprinted a lot of information, alas some of it useless, on our brains from the computer. Anyway, I think it’s great to stop occasionally and reassess, reevaluate as you’re doing here together, all in an attempt to streamline and aim for the best quality of life. I’ve found we do pare it down in terms of essentials as we age. Of course, web time has so much to do with moderation but, sigh, I’ve always been a person of extremes, which is something I have to keep in check. Spend an hour on the computer, not four. Go to the miniatures store and buy two things, not ten. Go to the thrift store and limit to $10, not $20. Eat one cookie, not five. You get the idea.
I’ve read that it isn’t a good idea to do anything with a computer right before bedtime. Don and I have both found that to be true. So the laptop is not opened after 6 pm!
I applaud your resolve. I receive different blog posts from different bloggers via email…I currently have 102 unread. I’m thinking it might be time to unsubscribe from some. Even though I’m retired…I have too many other things I need to be doing, other than having my face buried in my iPad! So, I played with my kitty, kissed my hubby…and now, I’ll putz…it’s too darn hot to do anything outside. Enjoy your day! ;)
Oh, it’s really hot here, too! I mowed this morning and early afternoon and I’m exhausted! Stay cool!
I took your previous message to heart and started my early morning with my nose in a book. Like you, I have found it such a satisfying way to start my day. Limiting my time online is on my list as well. Life is far to short to waste time wasting time.
Big Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Amen! You are absolutely right, Susan! Take care, my friend.
Happy Saturday Claudia…a little of topic but just a quick thanks for the recommendation on the book “The reinvention of Albert Paugh”. Loved it.
Cindy
So glad you enjoyed it, Cindy!
Everything in moderation….and making the choices that are right for you.
Exactly. It’s the moderation part of it that can be a problem!
Hi Claudia!
I made this same agreement with myself about a year ago and it was so needed for me. It has been so freeing—just living life and not worrying about everything on-line. Kind of like before I ever had a blog : ))) It’s amazing all the things I give myself time to enjoy now. It’s the main reason I have chosen not to do advertising on my blog. I just didn’t want to commit to having to blog as much as it would have taken.
Don’t you think the cone flowers are just the best? They give so much and take so little.
sending hugs…
It is indeed freeing. I blog daily because I love to write and writing about something every day is good for me. But that’s all I need to do, really. The rest is up to me!
I love coneflowers and I have so many of them here. And they self-seed, so what could be better? Great hearing from you, my friend.
Claudia, I have said I am starting to spend to much time on the computer too. It is easy to lose track of time. I am limiting how many blogs I read daily. I always read yours though! Take care, Doris
It’s so easy to lose track of time, Doris. I’m glad you enjoy the blog, my friend. Have a great day.
Totally agree with you. Now – I need to be committed to this myself. I leave my laptop open from the moment I wake up until an hour before bed. Too easy to be sucked in to checking “just one thing”. You know how that goes. And then there’s my phone – with my email, FB and Instagram apps on it. Aargh! Brian’s gone 11 hours per day though, so it’s easy to spend a lot of my time online.
Oh – I tried your idea of reading first thing in the morning, and it didn’t work for me. Brian’s home right now in the mornings and he is an energetic, chatty morning person while I’m the total opposite. I tried to sit and read without interruption – ha! It’s like having the Energizer Bunny hopping around the house while I’m reading. Oh well, I’ll just continue enjoying my night reading. :-)
I tend to keep my laptop open, too, Melanie. But now, I’m actually closing it up for long periods of time!
It isn’t easy to concentrate on reading when your partner is chatty! I have that problem sometimes with Don. I understand!
Amen to all that you have said Claudia…I too have become addicted to the computer and it is very upsetting to me when I realize how much time I have wasted in a day…Time that could be better spent reading books…I also go to bed in the late evening and say I am going to read and you know what happens…yup…no time at all until I am drifting off into sleep…Letting book reading time come first is only solution for me I believe…I am working on getting up earlier in the morning…I do admire people who are early risers…It sounds like you have started a little revolution here Claudia…lol
I never used to be an early riser, but I sure am now. I’d say I’ve been getting up quite early for a few years now. I actually like it because I love the quiet of the morning and I seem to accomplish more in the course of the day.