I’ve made a decision–I am taking a break from the web. In a few short weeks, I’ll be welcoming our sweet baby boy into the world and taking six weeks off for maternity leave. During that time, I’ve decided that I want to take a sabbatical from the web.
I’ve been using the internet for almost 15 years. The first time I got online, I was 19-years-old and it was dial-up through America Online. At that time, the web was a new environment, mostly chat rooms with a scattering of basic html pages on random topics. I was hooked.
Fast forward, as of today I own two blogs and I read 170 blogs through my RSS feed reader. Some of these sites update several times a day, others only a few times a week. Add in the number of links and sites I pick up on each one of those blogs, Facebook and Twitter and you could say I spend a significant amount of time on the web.
This will be the longest I’ve ever gone offline. I’ve had no trouble walking away from the online world while on vacation (a week here and there). I’m not one of those people who carries and iPhone or Blackberry to keep up with every update. But, when there is a computer around, I’ll check it out. And being that we own a few computers and working from home requires a constant internet connection, I am online all the time. And much of that time could be spent working on other off-line projects. I’ll even go so far as to say, the web affects my daily quality of life. It’s time for an intervention.
I’m strangely excited about this time off and the discoveries or rediscoveries I’ll make about myself and my life free from internet-influences. I plan on continuing to journal offline. Some of which I may or may not share when I do come back to the web. I realize that this is a poor strategy for blogging, but I hope those of you who do enjoy reading my site will either subscribe through a RSS reader or just check back with me in August. Thank you for your readership. It really does mean a lot to me.
But wait! Don’t go any where yet. I may have a few more posts between now and then, including the birth announcement.
Mom, I promise to write more. He’s such a..."
Can’t wait to “meet” your little baby and I hope you enjoy your time off. I know that would free up a lot of time in my schedule, and you’ll love having the extra time w/your new baby!
Syd — Oh, how much we might get done if we could all simply LOG OFF. I will be so interested to hear your thoughts on the experience when you return. Can’t wait to see the birth announcement and get the high-level details before you go “underground.” Wonderful idea
Thanks Rachael and Laura. I’m hoping the experience enriches my writing and helps me put it all in better perspective. Should be interesting!
I love this idea and think you will really enjoy your time with your little boy so much more. I’ve been trying to at least spend less time online lately, just updating my own blogs and reading a lot less across blogs, message boards and Facebook. But I don’t think I could stop completely! I did get a lot of reading done when I was breastfeeding so you should stock up on some books! And I look forward to the birth announcement – and hearing your perspective when you return after your sabbatical.
.-= Julie´s last blog ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? =-.
Thanks Julie. I wonder if I’ll go through withdrawls.
And good advice on the books. I think I’ll get a few this weekend based on the recommendations I got from everyone last week.