Lately I have been thinking how often I am online. Almost everyone seems to be online 24 hours every day. No matter where we go, we see people staring at their phones. I intentionally keep many functions of my phone turned off so it doesn't constantly notify me about new emails or Facebook messages. I do not answer phone calls while I drive.
However, I use my iPad a lot. It has all my e-books, and apps like Facebook Messenger and Skype that let me call or chat with my family instantly. I don't have to take my somewhat bulky camera everywhere, I can use the iPad to take photos, and then instantly share them with my family and friends. There's no need to physically connect it to my external driver to backup photos or documents, with a touch of a finger I can upload them to Google photos or Google docs. On my iPad I watch Netflix, and read news daily. After I got my iPad, I use my laptop less frequently. So the iPad is with me almost all the time.
I didn't realize how much I use the iPad until I learned that I wouldn't be able to take it with me while traveling out of country. Normally I take my laptop and iPad, because all my work files are on the laptop, and as for the iPad, well it's now my mobile library. A new rule prohibits electronics in carry on luggage on flights to the US from several Middle Eastern airports. Because I have a transit through Dubai and didn't want to check my electronics on the way back, I decided to leave my iPad and laptop. How can I read my books now? How can I be without my iPad? I initially wondered. How quickly I forgot how it used to be when I didn't have all these devices!
My carry on luggage was lighter without the laptop. I packed a book in my handbag, and read it at airports. On board I slept, watched a movie, read several more chapters and slept more. And most importantly, I had time to think. No work schedules, no where to get up and go - just hours and hours of quiet time to think. During those 27+ hours, I was fine without internet and the world didn't miss me either. ☺
Now at mom's, again I check my email daily, visit Facebook and update my blog. I read news & my favorite blogs, find new recipes online and share them with mom. I don't have my iPad, but nothing else has changed.
Constant access to internet has changed our lives - both positively and negatively. I've been thinking about how it affects me and my desire to lead a simple life. I wonder if I can be completely offline for a while.
How often do you go online? Do you have a dedicated internet time?
I generally go online first thing each morning and then again in the late afternoon. I have turned wi-fi off on my phone, always have. I use my I-pad for reading emails, blogs, weather etc. I also take photos with it and use it when cooking. Either recipes I've saved to Paprika or recipes directly from the Internet.
ReplyDeleteAs far as reading I prefer books which I've borrowed from the library.
When I look around cafes, shops, public transport etc. people are always looking at their phones. Mine hardly rings or beeps. It is for emergencies mainly and so the school can contact me if needed etc.
Kylie
When I was working I wasn't online all that much but now that I have retired I check for blog comments during the day if I have written a new post and also pop into The Home Maker's Forum for a little while. I know some people who like to go on holidays and not be online at all and they really enjoy that.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a dedicated Internet time. I don't use Facebook or many other social media sights, so I don't THINK I'm online as often as others, but I wonder. It's kind of scary that I don't actually know how long I spend online each day!
ReplyDeleteThis is what I also think. That I'm not online as often as others. But in reality I don't know how many hours/day I'm online. At least these days I don't check work email daily, but I read a lot of online news.
DeleteI have a love/hate relationship with the Internet! Sometimes I wonder how I survived without it, and other times I resent the time I spend on it at the expense of my sewing and reading time..I refuse to go on Facebook or any of the other instant social media traps, blogging and the HM forum is more than enough for me. Got rid of my mobile phone because people kept ringing me for stupid reasons, wasting time. Love real books from the library and my own shelves. Loving your blog too!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gina.
DeleteI too sometimes wonder how I survived without internet. :)
I feel like Gina, I love and hate it. Atm all the news every-where seems to be so grim, family problems get me down too.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed an old-fashioned flight, never having had a smart phone it's the only way I fly/travel but it saddens me to see so many looking at screens or taking photos and missing what's going on around them...rolls eyes!