Notes From The Frugal Trenches – A Downshifting Journey

I blogged recently that I’m currently in a season of no television and while it has taken a while to get used to, I’m enjoying it (mostly!).  At this early stage I don’t think I will be a no television household, but I do think I will ensure my viewing is purposeful! Another media source I’ve been trying to cut back on is computer time. I find the internet a very useful tool for keeping in touch with family & friends, blogging (obviously!) and learning (as well as job searching at the moment!) but as I said good-bye to my television viewing I’ve also noticed that my internet time has decreased. While I might be blogging more, I’m also ensuring that my time spent online is more purposeful and goal oriented, while still allowing myself the occasional mindless wander!

I’m trying to get into a routine of going online for no more than 30 minutes in the morning and no more than an hour in the evenings. I’ve employed a few strategies which have really helped me, even in this season of searching for jobs online and in theory needing to be online more!

1. I make sure I’m showered and dressed before I put the internet on in the morning! This means I can quickly check emails and then switch off knowing I can instantly start something else. Personally I find if I’m in my PJ’s and tired, I’m more likely to blank stare at the screen!

2. Before I turn the computer on I make a list of what I need to accomplish! This lets me check off what I have done and reminds me that my goals are met and it is time to get on with the day!

3.  I personally can not check my favourite blogs and blogs of all my wonderful blog friends every single day, I have several thousand people who read these daily blog posts and about 250 people leave comments and email (although thankfully, not all at once!). At the same time I really enjoy other people’s blogs, learn from them and want to support my blog friend’s blogs. For a while the guilt crippled me, but I then realized that that in itself was unhelpful and I’ve come up with a solution that I will nominate two days a week for blog reading & commenting! I will begin this next week!

4. I try to stay offline one day per week, this used to be Sundays but due to Reclaiming Simple Sundays, I need to move that day around. I’m not sure what day I will nominate but as I get into a new routine, I will be taking a one day a week, much needed, full media fast!

5. I’m working hard to get into the routine of not checking emails or going online in the evenings if I’ve been out. Wednesday nights is my Bible Study group and I normally get home sometime between 9:30 and 10:00. I find if I go online I wake up and then start doing things. My goal is to stop feeling like I have to check in before I go to bed.

6. I’m also working hard to find time to maintain and nourish friendships in real life! I have found that actually spending time with friends is more advantageous than simply quick emails/texts/Facebook. I have found that when we only rely on media as an outlet for our friendships we may be in touch more often, but we really aren’t supporting each other or spending time with each other. So rather than spend hours on the internet, I’m trying to spend time in real life with each of them!

7. I can not be a part of every online community! Blogging takes time and is also something I really enjoy, but I only have so much time. I am not part of yahoo groups or gaming or many of the other online activities or groups!

While non of these suggestions are anything earth shattering, I have found they have made an incredible difference in the amount of time I spend online and in making my online time more purposeful!

I’d love to hear if you have any further suggestions for online media balance!