Current Project: Novella edits and nine-book seriesStatus: Unplugged (see post below :)
When was the last time you were "unplugged" from your computer? Or your cell phone? Or any of the other electronic gadgets that control a large part of our lives?
When my son ended up in the hospital earlier this week, I found myself unplugged. (Eli, did you start this hospital precedent? Or was there someone before you?)
I've been gradually changing my day-to-day habits to focus on one project at a time and also to allow myself time to slow down and enjoy the moment. So, after an initial adjustment, I decided this enforced focus was an added boost to my new new habits. I read part of a self-help book from my to-be-read pile. I hand wrote the draft of this post. I napped while my kiddo slept.
I'm not completely comfortable with this enforced hiatus from my long "to do" list. I still dash home to feed doggies and check e-mail and see what has to be taken care of. (Sorry, I haven't caught up with blog posts yet.) However, it's helping me find a balance between relaxing and productivity.
How about you? When was the last time you unplugged--either intentionally or unexpectedly?
P.S. If I don't respond to comments until late tomorrow, it's because they are discharging my son from the hospital and we are getting him settled. (Cause for celebration!)
11 comments:
Genene, Sorry to hear about your son. Wishing him a speedy recovery.
As for unplugged- every time I go to Princeton I'm unplugged from the internet, which is a good thing because if my dh doesn't have me working I get a lot accomplished on edits and writing. The same goes for telephone- none there. Have to walk a mile to get a connection on the cell.
And the funny thing is when I"m back home, I wish I could unplug the phone! That is one device I could do with out. I don't like talking on it- My daughters call and do all the talking, I just listen. (They took after their father- he talks on the phone more than I do).
That's me unplugged.
Dang, Genene. Sorry your son has been in the hospital. I hope he's healthy again soon! (((hugs)))
The last time I unplugged was the week I was on vacation in San Diego. It was heaven. I didn't even think about my computer, emails, blogs, etc. But you can bet as soon as I got back home it was the first thing on my mind! LOL
Genene, happy days that your son is coming home. Hope he has a quick, uneventful recovery.
Totally unplugged? Been awhile. Once a winter when the power goes out for sure, but on some of our trips, too. We're going to take off for a few days as soon as I get this proposal finished and I plan on taking my Alphasmart but not the laptop. I'm looking forward to getting away from EVERYTHING.
I read a quote by Stephen King the other day. He said he read about the national average of television viewing and patted himself on the back until he started counting the hours he spent in front of the computer and TV and other flickering devices. He said no one ever lies on their deathbed and says they wished they'd spent more time in front of a video display (way, way paraphrased.)
Good luck with your son.
I'm so sorry about your son! Keeping you all in my thoughts. I'm desperately trying to find a better balance between plugged and unplugged time. I'm an internet addict, and I need to do better.
Oh, Genene. So sorry to hear about your son. Can I ask what landed him in the hospital?
And I don't know who started the hospital thing, though I think it probably was me. Let's just stop it right here, shall we? I don't want anyone else winding up in the hospital!
I was obviously "unplugged" for the two weeks I was in the hospital in June. My DH did bring my laptop though when I was in ICU having so much trouble relaxing and getting comfortable so he could play my itunes for me. While I wasn't "online", the music did help me relax somewhat, and my running partner told me later she knew I was going to pull through when she came to see me and I was bopping my head and lip-sinking Nickelback tunes along with the music. (I have no memory of this at all.) In case you didn't know, the hospital does have free wireless though, so if you take your laptop, Genene, you should be able to get online.
I enjoy being offline when I'm on vacation. It's the 10-thousand emails when you get back that I dread. Takes hours to go through them.
Hoping your son is released today, Genene. It's no fun to be stuck in the hospital.
Hi, Paty!
Your trips to Princeton definitely are "unplugged"! I think I'd rather have the Internet than the phone also. Not because I don't talk on the phone, but because I have a tendency to talk too much!
Thanks for stopping by and for the well wishes. Keeping my fingers crossed that my son is released from the hospital tomorrow!
I agree, Piper! "Home" brings a routine that includes all those electronic tentacles. But I really am trying to restrict my time on the computer unless it's doing a project I actually plan to work on.
I can see where your vacation being unplugged would be heaven. Hope you pull that feeling out once in a while and re-experience it!
Thanks for the well wishes and hugs!
Alice, your paraphrasing of Stephen King sounds so on target! I rarely watch TV, but many times I do spend a whole lotta time with my computer.
Good luck with your proposal done--but having the motivation of R&R should make it go quicker. Enjoy your time away from everything!
P.S. to Alice: Thanks also for your well wishes for my son!
Hi, Wavy! Don't go the hospital route to cure your Internet addiction. Not much fun. :)
Thanks for your good wishes for my son. Hopefully, he'll be out of the hospital on Friday.
Hey, Eli! I agree that we stop this hospital thing right now. Not a good way to unplug.
My son who has always been so healthy couldn't catch his breath just doing easy, everyday things. Fortunately, he listened to his body and went to Urgent Care to have it checked out. They did a CAT scan and found blod clots in his lungs, so wheeled him over to the Emergency Room and they admitted him to the hospital.
He's been pretty grouchy the last couple of days since they didn't want him out of bed. (Don't blame him at all for that.) I told him grouchy was a good sign as it meant he was feeling better and getting closer to being released. They are thinning his blood to help dissolve the clots but he wasn't where they wanted him to be yet, so will be spending another night. Hopefully Friday will be release day.
I hadn't thought about music helping with relaxation. That's a good idea. Unfortunately--or fortunately, depending on your perspective--I don't have a laptop to take with me. But I've actually been getting more sleep spending the nights at the hospital than what I usually get at home. Sad, huh?
Glad you're able to unplug on vacation--though I recall that many of your "vacations" involve a lot of working hours. I know what you mean about the tons of e-mails waiting, though. It's going to take me awhile to catch up also. :)
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