Thinking about digitally cleansing again.

pektel · 09-23-2011, 10:22 AM

I've noticed again recently that I am on my smart phone WAY too damned much. ALWAYS on the boards, email, facebook, etc. And when I stop to think about it... fall is here. There's some great colors to be seen soon. Hell, I even feel like I need to spend more time playing with the kids than I do now.

So, my plan is the same as last year:

For 10 days:

no internet (other than work email). So, no forums, facebook, etc.

cell phone for calls only (no texting). Of course I can't stop people from texting me, but I cannot respond by texting.

Thoughts? Think you could do it?

Mattso3000 · 09-23-2011, 10:29 AM

Check back in Jan, feb, mar, or apr. If there is no fantasy football or baseball going on, I could maybe make it. My wife has banned me from looking at my phone when we go out to dinner.

Subvet642 · 09-23-2011, 10:45 AM

Hell, I live that way! I've never owned a cell phone or any other portable device. As for forums, I'm on a couple of hobbyist sites, but that's it.

shilala · 09-23-2011, 11:12 AM

I've heard lots of guys talk about this and even do it. I never really understood, fully.
When there's something else to do, I do it. If there are others around, I'm engaged with them. If I'm outside or traveling or just doing anything, I enjoy that a lot more and I'm always unplugged. I'm excellent at not answering the phone and missing text messages, too. I get back to them when I can, just like in the old days when you answered the phone that hung on the wall or returned calls on your answering machine.
If you think that's what you need to get back to a good balance, by all means, do it.
Or maybe just do the other stuff when it's there to do, and find a balance that suits?

I told Lisa I was "going off the grid" when I recently shut off my facebook account. I just did that because it was one thing too much and it bothered me. Maybe you could trim off some fat and that'd help get back to a balance?

pektel · 09-23-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

I've heard lots of guys talk about this and even do it. I never really understood, fully.
When there's something else to do, I do it. If there are others around, I'm engaged with them. If I'm outside or traveling or just doing anything, I enjoy that a lot more and I'm always unplugged. I'm excellent at not answering the phone and missing text messages, too. I get back to them when I can, just like in the old days when you answered the phone that hung on the wall or returned calls on your answering machine.
If you think that's what you need to get back to a good balance, by all means, do it.
Or maybe just do the other stuff when it's there to do, and find a balance that suits?

I told Lisa I was "going off the grid" when I recently shut off my facebook account. I just did that because it was one thing too much and it bothered me. Maybe you could trim off some fat and that'd help get back to a balance?

I'm just feeling like I'm addicted to technology. I mean, I will cycle through CA, one other cigar forum, an auto detailing forum, a car enthusiast forum, facebook, then check CA again.

icehog3 · 09-23-2011, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilala

When there's something else to do, I do it. If there are others around, I'm engaged with them. If I'm outside or traveling or just doing anything, I enjoy that a lot more and I'm always unplugged. I'm excellent at not answering the phone and missing text messages, too. I get back to them when I can, just like in the old days when you answered the phone that hung on the wall or returned calls on your answering machine.

This.

Ogre · 09-23-2011, 11:27 AM

Leigh and I are doing an 8 day road tip next month. Will have limited access to net. Really looking forward to it.

mosesbotbol · 09-23-2011, 11:29 AM

Do call forwarding, a new VM message and power the phone off.

Devanmc · 09-23-2011, 11:36 AM

haha i wouldnt survive. just bought a lapdock that turns my phone into a laptop. one might say im attached to my tech.

shilala · 09-23-2011, 11:54 AM

Lol. See, yeah, that's a bit much.
If you did this digital cleanse last year and it had no lasting effect, you might need to just cut one thing out. See how that goes. I don't mean abandon it, just remove one or two things from your routine to take the edge and intensity off.
I think you'll be more comfortable in not being so obsessive, too.

pektel · 09-23-2011, 11:59 AM

It's my addictive personality I guess. Or my extreme boredom at work as of late.

But great advice, Scott. I should cut a few things out, or maybe only check once or twice a day. For some reason, I think I'm going to miss something (like good WTS threads, for instance). Gotta break that mindset, methinks.

CasaDooley · 09-23-2011, 12:23 PM

The Internet, Facebook, Twitter, oh my! Really, how important is all that crap compared to family and friends with whom you can physically interact with? (not sayin ditch yer buds on line, but you know what I mean) I'm with Scott on this one Bro, trim the fat!

WittyUserName · 09-23-2011, 01:40 PM

Cell phone would be easy down here. We have sh1tty island phones but I always leave mine on the table at home. The internet would be hard as it is my only connection with the real world. Without it I would be stuck in the lotus room for the rest of my life.

CigarNut · 09-23-2011, 01:54 PM

That kind of abstention would be too much for me.

I need to use my phone, computer, etc., to keep in touch with my kids (who ONLY text), my wife (who calls, emails and texts) and my friends (email and text). So I always have my phone and respond to emails and texts as time permits.

I check CA pretty regularly several times a day and some other forums a bit less -- but this all depends upon my workload and other activities. If work gets busy or I am out-and-about then do not check in on the forums as much. If I am really busy then I may go several days without checking and then I usually only check for "important" stuff and usually do not post.

If I get a PM, I will get an email notification and depending upon the topic and whether or not I think it is something that can wait I will check the forum and respond.

That's just me. Everyone is different and you have to do what is best for you.

irratebass · 09-23-2011, 03:45 PM

I can live without FB & Twitter, but not this place.....good luck to ya

CRIMPS · 09-23-2011, 04:07 PM

There is something very refreshing about being off grid. I enjoy technology and this is how I pay the rent. However, I feel there is a blissfulness in the simple life.

So, I applaud you in this. Good luck with the DT's.

09-23-2011, 10:22 AM	#1
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Thinking about digitally cleansing again. I've noticed again recently that I am on my smart phone WAY too damned much. ALWAYS on the boards, email, facebook, etc. And when I stop to think about it... fall is here. There's some great colors to be seen soon. Hell, I even feel like I need to spend more time playing with the kids than I do now. So, my plan is the same as last year: For 10 days: no internet (other than work email). So, no forums, facebook, etc. cell phone for calls only (no texting). Of course I can't stop people from texting me, but I cannot respond by texting. Thoughts? Think you could do it? __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

09-23-2011, 10:29 AM	#2
Mattso3000 Will ninja for beer Join Date: Aug 2010 First Name: Matt Location: Burnsville, MN Posts: 2,842 Trading: (20)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Check back in Jan, feb, mar, or apr. If there is no fantasy football or baseball going on, I could maybe make it. My wife has banned me from looking at my phone when we go out to dinner. __________________ Please Support the Troop Support Contest!

09-23-2011, 10:45 AM	#3
Subvet642 Bilge Rat Join Date: Nov 2009 First Name: Darren Location: Torpedo Room Bilge Posts: 2,997 Trading: (13)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Hell, I live that way! I've never owned a cell phone or any other portable device. As for forums, I'm on a couple of hobbyist sites, but that's it. __________________ *"Man's mind is his basic tool of survival. Life is given to him, survival is not." -John Galt*

09-23-2011, 11:12 AM	#4
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. I've heard lots of guys talk about this and even do it. I never really understood, fully. When there's something else to do, I do it. If there are others around, I'm engaged with them. If I'm outside or traveling or just doing anything, I enjoy that a lot more and I'm always unplugged. I'm excellent at not answering the phone and missing text messages, too. I get back to them when I can, just like in the old days when you answered the phone that hung on the wall or returned calls on your answering machine. If you think that's what you need to get back to a good balance, by all means, do it. Or maybe just do the other stuff when it's there to do, and find a balance that suits? I told Lisa I was "going off the grid" when I recently shut off my facebook account. I just did that because it was one thing too much and it bothered me. Maybe you could trim off some fat and that'd help get back to a balance? __________________

09-23-2011, 11:27 AM	#7
Ogre **CENSORED** Join Date: Apr 2010 First Name: Larry Location: Central Florida Posts: 12,068 Trading: (46)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Leigh and I are doing an 8 day road tip next month. Will have limited access to net. Really looking forward to it. __________________

09-23-2011, 11:29 AM	#8
mosesbotbol That's a Corgi Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Moses Location: Boston Posts: 6,171 Trading: (6)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Do call forwarding, a new VM message and power the phone off. __________________ Port Wine & Claret \| British Cars \| Welsh Corgi's

09-23-2011, 11:36 AM	#9
Devanmc Have My Own Room Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Devan Location: The Zoo Posts: 1,971 Trading: (40)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. haha i wouldnt survive. just bought a lapdock that turns my phone into a laptop. one might say im attached to my tech. __________________ I spent a lot of my money on booze, cigars, birds and fast cars, the rest I just squandered. -George Best

09-23-2011, 11:54 AM	#10
shilala Dear Lord, Thank You. Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Scott Posts: 13,721 Trading: (252)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Lol. See, yeah, that's a bit much. If you did this digital cleanse last year and it had no lasting effect, you might need to just cut one thing out. See how that goes. I don't mean abandon it, just remove one or two things from your routine to take the edge and intensity off. I think you'll be more comfortable in not being so obsessive, too. __________________

09-23-2011, 11:59 AM	#11
pektel I'm nuts for the place Join Date: Jul 2010 First Name: Peter Location: Grand Rapids, MN Posts: 4,320 Trading: (28)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. It's my addictive personality I guess. Or my extreme boredom at work as of late. But great advice, Scott. I should cut a few things out, or maybe only check once or twice a day. For some reason, I think I'm going to miss something (like good WTS threads, for instance). Gotta break that mindset, methinks. __________________ The problem is not the problem. The problem is your ATTITUDE about the problem.

09-23-2011, 12:23 PM	#12
CasaDooley Herf Crew of 2 Join Date: Oct 2008 First Name: Kevin Location: The birthplace of Fathers Day Posts: 2,465 Trading: (41)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. The Internet, Facebook, Twitter, oh my! Really, how important is all that crap compared to family and friends with whom you can physically interact with? (not sayin ditch yer buds on line, but you know what I mean) I'm with Scott on this one Bro, trim the fat! __________________ *Founding member of the Lilac City Dedicated Herfers*

09-23-2011, 01:40 PM	#13
WittyUserName WOOOHOOO Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Adam Location: Virginia Posts: 1,455 Trading: (15)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. Cell phone would be easy down here. We have sh1tty island phones but I always leave mine on the table at home. The internet would be hard as it is my only connection with the real world. Without it I would be stuck in the lotus room for the rest of my life. __________________ Check out the TROOP support Forums It is THIS easy to Support the troops

09-23-2011, 01:54 PM	#14
CigarNut Fck Cancer! Join Date: Jan 2009 First Name: Michael Location: Clermont, Florida Posts: 18,042 Trading: (111*)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. That kind of abstention would be too much for me. I need to use my phone, computer, etc., to keep in touch with my kids (who ONLY text), my wife (who calls, emails and texts) and my friends (email and text). So I always have my phone and respond to emails and texts as time permits. I check CA pretty regularly several times a day and some other forums a bit less -- but this all depends upon my workload and other activities. If work gets busy or I am out-and-about then do not check in on the forums as much. If I am really busy then I may go several days without checking and then I usually only check for "important" stuff and usually do not post. If I get a PM, I will get an email notification and depending upon the topic and whether or not I think it is something that can wait I will check the forum and respond. That's just me. Everyone is different and you have to do what is best for you. __________________ Need Beads? Need Five Finger Bags? 2 of 3 Requirements for use of the CA Rolodex: 100 posts/ 60 day membership/ participation in trade (trader rating). New members can be added at any time.

09-23-2011, 03:45 PM	#15
irratebass EMPEROR TOMPKINS Join Date: Aug 2011 First Name: Mickey Location: Mooresville, Indiana Posts: 8,313 Trading: (48)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. I can live without FB & Twitter, but not this place.....good luck to ya __________________

09-23-2011, 04:07 PM	#16
CRIMPS Benn/Seguin best friends Join Date: Sep 2010 First Name: Zach Location: North Texas Posts: 1,520 Trading: (50)	Re: Thinking about digitally cleansing again. There is something very refreshing about being off grid. I enjoy technology and this is how I pay the rent. However, I feel there is a blissfulness in the simple life. So, I applaud you in this. Good luck with the DT's. __________________ I'm a Dallas Stars fan. So, yes, this is a confusing time for me.