T Nation

Canceling Home Internet = Happier?

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#1

Contemplating a major lifestyle change - getting rid of internet access at home.

I spend all day at work by the computer, and probably around another 4-5 hours every night with my laptop. Basically, once I get home, I am either eating, playing music, or on the laptop. But mostly, the latter.

A friend of mine has not had a computer at home for the past several years. He says that if he did, he would end up glued to it.

Most of the time I spend online is worthless - downloading/watching TV, surfing, forums, youtube, hulu, porn (not necessarily in that order lol). I also spend lots of time with my “friends” on facebook and instant messenger. But as my friend says, if people would really want to talk to him they’d just text or call him.

Of course, being “online” does make me feel less lonely - chatting with people on my buddy list or facebook. But it’s a false sense of company…

I check my email multiple times at work every day, and also check T-Nation articles etc. I could probably get away with not having Internet at home.

If my laptop is no longer the main attraction in my apartment, I’ll have to figure out other ways to spend my time, and that’s the point - with all that time freed up, I am bound to use at least some of it productively - reading, playing more music, getting out of the house. It sounds healthier to me than spending countless hours vegged out in front of the computer.

I am a pretty compulsive guy, and I work well with extremes… so I’d rather take the plunge and cancel my service than try to set hours etc. Anyone have experience doing this? I’m scared I’ll feel really lonely without it, is that nuts? Reactions, comments, thoughts?

#2

Being a fan of extremes myself, I say do what you have to do.

If you can’t moderate the amount of time you spend online… get rid of it. If something is hindering your movement towards a goal, it has to go.

I think the red flag here is when you mentioned being online makes you feel less lonely. That’s not healthy at all.

Good luck.

#3

I got rid of streaming TV in the house 12 years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done.

The Internet, not so much-- it’s my lifeline and pays the bills (ie my job requires it).

#4

I think some days you might actually NEED it, and you’ll be pissed that you don’t have access to it. I suggest just trying to get some self-control and avoid the computer.

Put it in a drawer, take out the battery, unscrew the screen etc. Okay maybe that is going a little too far. Just try and keep it off all the time and somewhere you won’t see it. Also maybe try limiting the amount of internet hours through your company?

Best of luck

#5

[quote]wakiki wrote:
I am a pretty compulsive guy, and I work well with extremes… so I’d rather take the plunge and cancel my service than try to set hours etc. Anyone have experience doing this? I’m scared I’ll feel really lonely without it, is that nuts? Reactions, comments, thoughts? [/quote]

I used to be the same. I just deleted the waste. Deactivated myspace/facebook accounts–than block the page from my cpu. Deleted over 95% of my msn friends. Use it as an emergeny kind of thing now.

I could not get rid of internet entirely, though. Too much information to soak up. plus free movies. plus lots of news sources.

Maybe, use CPU time as sort of a reward. Say… have to do such and such before your allowed the privelige.

#6

I got rid of cable awhile ago, but I couldn’t imagine losing teh interwebz. Gotta have it for research.

Good luck if you decide to go through with it. I’d say let us know how it works out, BUT YOU CAN’T.

#7

I got rid of my home internet. Until I moved into my room-mates place.

  1. I spent lots of time getting music
  2. I spent lots of time chatting.
  3. I spent lots of time reading about stupid shit

When I should have been training …cooking cleaning, spending time with my kid(checking facebook instead) I know its harmless.

When I did do that I found I had more time for the things that are important. I took it a step further and got rid of my cell phone.

I found when I have free time its now my free time. No more stupid txt’s or dumb drunk phone calls from chicks. My life is quiet and my time is now mine again.

Now that the internet is back in my life I don’t spend near the amount of time on it as I use to.

I think the next big step is to get rid of TV in my house but that will not happen …I tend to sit in front of that box way to much.

#8

[quote]dirtbag wrote:
I got rid of my home internet. Until I moved into my room-mates place.

  1. I spent lots of time getting music
  2. I spent lots of time chatting.
  3. I spent lots of time reading about stupid shit

When I should have been training …cooking cleaning, spending time with my kid(checking facebook instead) I know its harmless.

When I did do that I found I had more time for the things that are important. I took it a step further and got rid of my cell phone.

I found when I have free time its now my free time. No more stupid txt’s or dumb drunk phone calls from chicks. My life is quiet and my time is now mine again.

Now that the internet is back in my life I don’t spend near the amount of time on it as I use to.

I think the next big step is to get rid of TV in my house but that will not happen …I tend to sit in front of that box way to much. [/quote]

This is what I was getting at - eliminating Internet at home would be reclaiming my time, using it to do other stuff which is healthier, more productive - or even just fun. Maybe take a walk, read, try something new, maybe take up another hobby. It just feels silly to be wasting so much time on pointless, useless surfing etc. I don’t get anything from it but fleeting entertainment.

Although, I don’t know how you gave up your cell, how do people get in touch with you? Mail? lol

I work 2 miles from home, so I guess in the worst case I could just get up and drive to work if I really need to access it.

#9

[quote]THE_CLAMP_DOWN wrote:
wakiki wrote:
I am a pretty compulsive guy, and I work well with extremes… so I’d rather take the plunge and cancel my service than try to set hours etc. Anyone have experience doing this? I’m scared I’ll feel really lonely without it, is that nuts? Reactions, comments, thoughts?

I used to be the same. I just deleted the waste. Deactivated myspace/facebook accounts–than block the page from my cpu. Deleted over 95% of my msn friends. Use it as an emergeny kind of thing now.

I could not get rid of internet entirely, though. Too much information to soak up. plus free movies. plus lots of news sources.

Maybe, use CPU time as sort of a reward. Say… have to do such and such before your allowed the privelige.[/quote]

What’s this CPU thingmabob you are talking about?

#10

no. ur not nuts. I used tp have an apt for last 5 yrs. siingle professional lived alone. if I wasn’t at work I was online doing nothing useful or watching tv. last yr I got into collecting autographed. sports memorbilla.

I make a great living for a single guy and no credit card or college debt. I then started to buy stuff on ebay. and before I knew it I was spending easily over $1000 a month on there. on stuff I realy didn’t need. but could afford and thought would be a great piece to add to my collection.

during all this time for the last 2 yrs I’ve been house hunting. I knew if I wanted to buy the kind of house I wanted I needed to change my habbits. sure I could just tell myself not to go online or onto ebay.

but that was easier said then done. I bought a beautiful new home. still single. but since I’ve moved in I have not susbscribed to any tv service or internet. you might think I’m crazy. but between work. working out and not being home fri -sun I haven’t missed tv at all. (except for ultimate fighter ).

and I don’t realy miss internet either. my treo 700 has internet browser and can do everything my pc can do. I can surf and read and post on t-mag (yes I’m posting from my treo right now) and do email. even facebook. its working out fine for me now. but when baseball season starts it’ll be rough.

other then all the $$$$ I save each month I realy am a lot more productive. my sleeping habbits have gotten much better too. some think I’m nuts for not having tv service or internet. but with my free time I’m productive and have a great healthy body. wheras these people who think I’m nuts r overweight and no physical activity level at all. I say. go for it and try it.

#11

[quote]wakiki wrote:
dirtbag wrote:
I got rid of my home internet. Until I moved into my room-mates place.

  1. I spent lots of time getting music
  2. I spent lots of time chatting.
  3. I spent lots of time reading about stupid shit

When I should have been training …cooking cleaning, spending time with my kid(checking facebook instead) I know its harmless.

When I did do that I found I had more time for the things that are important. I took it a step further and got rid of my cell phone.

I found when I have free time its now my free time. No more stupid txt’s or dumb drunk phone calls from chicks. My life is quiet and my time is now mine again.

Now that the internet is back in my life I don’t spend near the amount of time on it as I use to.

I think the next big step is to get rid of TV in my house but that will not happen …I tend to sit in front of that box way to much.

This is what I was getting at - eliminating Internet at home would be reclaiming my time, using it to do other stuff which is healthier, more productive - or even just fun. Maybe take a walk, read, try something new, maybe take up another hobby.

It just feels silly to be wasting so much time on pointless, useless surfing etc. I don’t get anything from it but fleeting entertainment.

Although, I don’t know how you gave up your cell, how do people get in touch with you? Mail? lol

I work 2 miles from home, so I guess in the worst case I could just get up and drive to work if I really need to access it. [/quote]

I have a land line. Leave a msg bitch!!! hahaha And if I feel like it. I’ll call yah back! Very simple and effect way to talk and its cheap. I still have the cell phone. I just use it for a phone number database now and there is no service on it.

I personally think we are wrapped up in our gadgets. I see it everyday. People walking around with black berries zombied to everything that is going on cause the next email came in. And gawd forbid something happens to the bb and they can’t use it.

They pace outside my office until its better. Hmmm I dunno about you but sounds like an old pass time I use to have “DRUGS”. People are addicted to these things.

Our species got along just fine without these devices and things to take up our time. Reclaim your time and money if you feel it goes against goals in life. You will and can live without them.

#12

i spend a lot of time online myself.

i will say this though, i feel like i need it because i have 2 courses right now that involve doing work online. basically we’ll go over concepts and stuff in class but the assignments will be online and submitted there as well.

i use the computers at school sometimes but when it comes to writing papers and stuff i like to be able to do it form the comfort of my own home, that way i can take a piss, eat a sandwhich or take a break if i want to and its just much easier than having to save your work to a flash drive everytime you need to get up for 2 seconds.

but i dont really watch tv and i dont play videogames. im actually afraid of getting a console for the fact that i get addicted to games pretty bad and dont want to waste a bunch of time on them, but in retrospect i guess thats what im doing on here anyway?

id say if you truly dont need it for anything (dont B.S. yourself about it)
try it out, maybe for a month or so and see how it goes.

the only thing i foresee is the fact that a lot of people do the same thing as you and while you may now be willing to go out and do more things your friends may not be as eager. this is a prediciment im faced with a lot.

im pretty much game for anything but most my friends would rather confine indoors than do anything. its worse now that one of my only good friends now has a kid and not only has zero money but also has a kid to look after, enough about me though, go for it and see what happens. im also a fan of extremes.

#13

[quote]dirtbag wrote:

I have a land line. Leave a msg bitch!!! hahaha And if I feel like it. I’ll call yah back! Very simple and effect way to talk and its cheap. I still have the cell phone. I just use it for a phone number database now and there is no service on it.

I personally think we are wrapped up in our gadgets. I see it everyday. People walking around with black berries zombied to everything that is going on cause the next email came in. And gawd forbid something happens to the bb and they can’t use it.

They pace outside my office until its better. Hmmm I dunno about you but sounds like an old pass time I use to have “DRUGS”. People are addicted to these things.

Our species got along just fine without these devices and things to take up our time. Reclaim your time and money if you feel it goes against goals in life. You will and can live without them.[/quote]

you should check out “Walden” by Thoreaux(sp) he’s an 18th century guy who basically comes to the descision that technology is running our lives and people become bound by work. he calls a house a seat and he basically starts living in the woods (Walden Pond).

He just shits on every piece of advancement from the telephone to the train and lists how its ruining mankind. i have to say, i agree with the bastard, well not entirely i believe in mediums and balance rather than conforming to the extreme end of any spectrum.

#14

[quote]SteelyD wrote:
I got rid of streaming TV in the house 12 years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done.

The Internet, not so much-- it’s my lifeline and pays the bills (ie my job requires it).[/quote]

x2 no tv here either. if it’s really important, I’ll go to the company website, or iTunes

#15

[quote]
Our species got along just fine without these devices and things to take up our time. Reclaim your time and money if you feel it goes against goals in life. You will and can live without them.

you should check out “Walden” by Thoreaux(sp) he’s an 18th century guy who basically comes to the descision that technology is running our lives and people become bound by work. he calls a house a seat and he basically starts living in the woods (Walden Pond).

He just shits on every piece of advancement from the telephone to the train and lists how its ruining mankind. i have to say, i agree with the bastard, well not entirely i believe in mediums and balance rather than conforming to the extreme end of any spectrum.[/quote]

Yes, before I shortened my original post, I had actually written a quote by Thoreau, “Simplify, simplify.” I don’t like the ‘power’ it has over me, in the sense that I know if I’m home and the laptop is there online, I will gravitate towards it.

It’s an easy form of escape and quick entertainment, but at what cost? Instead of interacting with people and real friends, we have Facebook and instant messengers and chats. We sit on our collective asses for hours, most of which is lacking any direction and completely forgettable.

Virtual this, virtual that. What about the real world we live in, our real friends, human interaction? I feel that more and more, it is replaced with the electronic equivalent, which is sorely lacking.

The real problem I see, for myself at least, is the quiet after the storm. Having grown so used to spending time online, it would be a very drastic change. Suddenly I would be faced with a lot of free time - a void. Suddenly I would see that I really need to make more friends in real life. (a whole other story - moved to Atlanta from NY, you might say “the gym” but I don’t go there to socialize.)

I believe in what I think someone referred to as the Bruce Lee philosophy - cut away everything which is not important, to focus on that which is. I strongly agree with that. As another poster said, he got rid of all the myspace and all his other crap - cut the fat.

Cut out the stuff that ultimately offers you nothing in return. I am not against leisure and just screwing around - not by any means - but in this case it is such a major par of my life that it warrants attention.

If I spend an extra 4 hours every night online doing worthless stuff, wouldn’t I be better off if even one of those hours ended up being spent doing something productive instead?

#16

[quote]jehovasfitness wrote:
SteelyD wrote:
I got rid of streaming TV in the house 12 years ago. Best thing I’ve ever done.

The Internet, not so much-- it’s my lifeline and pays the bills (ie my job requires it).

x2 no tv here either. if it’s really important, I’ll go to the company website, or iTunes[/quote]

Yes, agreed. I have a TV but don’t watch it much. Sometimes it’s just background noise. I actually don’t watch or read the news at all, just like what you said - if it’s really important, I will hear about it.

The other reason I stay away from the news is that I find it more practical to concern myself with that which is within my locus of control. I don’t need to hear all the negativity about the problems and drama and bullshit from the entire world!

Maybe that’s selfish, but I don’t like to worry about what I can’t control; I find it just creates extra stress. I try my best to be a positive and altruistic person, and it’s much easier without all that noise.

Why worry about a plugged toilet in china when your own sewer is overflowing? I’d rather focus my energies on improving myself and helping those I can actually reach out to.

#17

[quote]R@NE wrote:
THE_CLAMP_DOWN wrote:
wakiki wrote:
I am a pretty compulsive guy, and I work well with extremes… so I’d rather take the plunge and cancel my service than try to set hours etc. Anyone have experience doing this? I’m scared I’ll feel really lonely without it, is that nuts? Reactions, comments, thoughts?

I used to be the same. I just deleted the waste. Deactivated myspace/facebook accounts–than block the page from my cpu. Deleted over 95% of my msn friends. Use it as an emergeny kind of thing now.

I could not get rid of internet entirely, though. Too much information to soak up. plus free movies. plus lots of news sources.

Maybe, use CPU time as sort of a reward. Say… have to do such and such before your allowed the privelige.

What’s this CPU thingmabob you are talking about?

[/quote]

My CPU is a neural net processor; a learning computer.

#18

For financial reasons, I decided to not purchase home internet during this semester. I figured I’d be more productive, since I’d only be using internet at school.

Bad idea.

It didn’t make me more productive. Practically all my work has to be done in front of a computer. So I have to go the computer lab at school to work. And I can’t eat in the computer lab, so I have to leave every 2-3 hours to eat. And that sometimes takes time, and someone’s jacked my computer and all sorts of shit.

The Point: Learn Self-control. It’s the easier, softer path, no matter how much it might not look it.

#19

You need to find a hobby. Something that will get you out of the house-find a good martial arts school for example.

A good school will have classes near every working day and you might make some good friends.

But i do find that going to the gym 1-2hours everyday bar sunday keeps me sane if i haven’t got the time to go out at night.

#20

would commit suicide if i was forced to give up the internet