Yesterday was my first attempt at avoiding consuming (shopping, TV watching, computer using) for a day. But my idea of starting small didn’t happen, because I ended up with no plans for the day. Sunday nights Ellie stays with her grandma and grandpa, so I didn’t even have to get up early or run errands.
I went forward anyway. I thought about and wrote down business ideas and made Ellie some clothes.
I had no trouble avoiding the shops, but even by the late morning I was really itching to turn the computer on, which surprised me. I didn’t think it’d be that hard. I finished making Ellie her top, exercising some super restraint. I tidied up the house a bit and made lunch. I ended up having so much trouble staying away from the computer that I sat down and wrote about it, journal-style, instead of doing it.
I made some interesting observations, but the one that stood out to me most was “Do I think the computer/internet needs to save me? From myself?” And that I felt bored, dissatisfied and deprived without being able to get on the Internet or watch some movie or TV show. And I realised how much this affects my life, much more than I originally thought. And what it says about me.
I don’t know if it’s just me, or if anyone else feels this way, too. I can say that I never would have realised this had I not tried to do without.
So I thought of ways to kick the habit. Fortunately I don’t have the net on my mobile phone, nor a laptop, so it’s not a problem when I’m out. (I really should have gone for a walk, but I thought that’d be cheating, kind of.)
For the rest of the afternoon I did some rearranging. My computer was on my favourite, large desk, surrounded by my favourite things. It had become my ‘hang out’ space at home. And my craft space was small, cluttered, and on a tiny desk that made it kind of impossible to have enough space to do anything productive.
So I moved my computer to the small craft desk, leaving it comparitively bare and uninspiring.
(Although I do adore this arrangement of art on the side wall.)
And I put/kept my inspiring stuff, craft items and favourite things at the other desk.
The idea is that this desk will become my new hang out space. My automatic go-to place when I’m wandering around the house wondering what to do. Plus, Ellie can join me at the desk and we can make things together.
We’ll see how it goes. I think it’s a good start.
Such a good start, I thought yesterday, that I ‘rewarded’ myself with a couple of episodes of Dexter while ironing after Ellie went to bed. Ahh, well. Maybe next Monday I’ll do better.
What a great idea!
I’m always conscious about the amount of time I spend on the computer, TV is never a problem as I watch perhaps an hour or two a few nights a week.
I only go to the shops when needed, I prefer op-shopping anyway
You’ve inspired me to turn the computer off for a whole day and see what I can achieve.
PS. Love your new creative space!
Thank you!
And that’s awesome, let us know how you go!
We often end up with non-consumerists times due to the frequent power cuts we get in rural France during the winter. We treat these as family times with board games over candles.
I actually think the non-consumerist times are easier in company.
A bit like dieting – once you deny yourself something you begin to crave it. That is probably why you were missing your laptop so much.
But your rearranged space makes good sense – good luck with the pledge.
That’s a good point about company. Maybe it was too much to ask of myself to go a whole day almost by myself (Tim and Ellie didn’t get home until dinner time).
At the time I thought it would be too easy to go out somewhere, and that I wanted to see how I went by myself.
Really interesting that you guys get frequent power cuts! I can’t remember the last time our power went out. But I imagine that would be inspiring.
I think a non consumerist day a week is such a good idea and I would like to introduce this to my seven year old son! He does have a “non screen” day each week which means no TV or computer. I think not using the computer / internet is something you will get used to and it will feel easier after a while. Our computer broke last month and I had three weeks of no internet or email. I did miss it but got used to this, and I noticed there are certain times of day when I want to use it by force of habit, for instance when my daughter naps and I have no company. I was glad when we fixed the computer though! Really like your blog, you have managed to say stuff I have been thinking but in a much more succinct way than I could do! – sorry for such a long comment
I love your new site and congrats on your first non-consumerist Monday. It will get easier each week I’m sure! xo m.
Wow, I’m not sure what I’d do without internet, although I love the idea. I consider myself a fairly unplugged writer (I do most of my drafting on paper at the park), but I still have the bad internet as entertainment habit.
It’s funny how we all have the need to feel busy or entertained all the time, even those of us who aren’t really into tv. Lots of food for thought, and I think I’m going to try this on Monday!
Well done for resisting the internets like you did and deciding to switch the purposes of your desks over. Your craft area looks divine! Happy creating xxx
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