Creating more time for life by ignoring the computer for two weeks
Tuesday, 03 May 2011
Today was my first day back at work after two weeks recreation leave. We had the best sort of holiday - we stayed at home. I'd planned on using some of my holidays to write a load of blog posts. However, I just couldn't bring myself to sit in front of the computer. Each day I considered it, and each day I resisted.
I typically spend the majority of my work time sitting in front of a computer and I often spend a few hours there again every other evening. There have only been a handful of weeks in the past 15 years where I haven't spent days at the computer. I decided I needed a break. So half way through my holidays I stopped trying to force myself to sit in front of the computer and instead embraced going computer free.
Ignoring the computer created more time for living....
..time to dye a few easter eggs..
..time to bake hot cross buns..
..time to pot up a few more house plants in thrifted and recycled pots...
..time to start a long-planned natural and lead-safe backyard playground (more on this later)..and time to finally start planning our lead-safe urban food garden.
..time to select the aquaponics system I want to save up for...
..time to reflect while preparing for Little Eco's preschool birthday celebration...
..time to prepare a frugal and eco birthday party for Little Eco and 23 of her friends (more on this later). These paper dolls were one of the pass-the-parcel prizes (from here, found via here)...
..time for handmade birthday presents...
..time to make a rainbow....
..and time to watch Daddy Eco grow a beard especially for my birthday (he's planning to shave it off tomorrow. I think it should stay. Agree? Want to help me convince him it needs to stay?).
Ignoring the computer left me feeling more alive, connected and productive than i've felt in a long time. That's a feeling I want to maintain, despite the many hours I typically spend on the computer.
How about you? Do you think you and your family would benefit from ignoring the computer for a few days or weeks? Do you have any hints for reducing the amount of time spent on the computer?