Decrease Your Time Online
Do you spend too much time online? Do you want to decrease the time you spend staring at that screen?
This guide will tell you how to decrease your online time (obviously) with strategies that will also enrich your
life. As always, please report typos and such by using the all-purpose form (Link in the "Heyo" section)
[I don't claim credit to any of the images in this article.]
Recognize
Recognize the reason you have this problem. Is it because you're escaping something? Is it because you have more
friends there than you do in real life? Or is it because of something else? To find out what is the root of your
problem, you'll have to dig a bit deep. Addiction is a symptom, not just a problem. Think about it. What was
life like before you got addicted? Are there any things you left unresolved? Are you trying to escape reality
by using the computer?
Resolve
If you do have a problem in real life that leads to your addiction I strongy suggest you resolve it. If you're a Christian (Hopefully you're one! =]) you can ask God to help you with your problem(s). Otherwise you can do your research and find some good self-help books. If you've suffered long-term damage recovery won't be easy, I can tell you that.Distract
If you can't seem to find a problem, you might just want to quit. Let me warn you beforehand, though, that if you
have unresolved issues one addiction can just take the place of another. You might even develop cross-addictions.
-ahem- Anyway, back on topic. You can distract yourself from the computer. There are several ways to do this. You
can take up a sport or hobby. Or you can stay away from the computer. Go outside. Go somewhere like the library or
local spots. Not only will you know more, you might even make friends!
Abstain
This is like distraction, but somewhat different from it. If you feel you must, abstain from using the computer. How do you do it? Well, there are at least two different ways. You can come up with more though, I'm sure. =]A way that really helps is to install a filter. Bescure and Eyeblocker. Now you might not have the problems that these filters are indended to help with, but you can have someone you trust keep the password secret so you cannot use the computer.
Another way, which is part of the previous method, is to rely on a close family member or friend to help you. She/he can help you by checking your computer time, logging it, and/or, as the previous method states, activate and deactivate your internet access.
Desperate Measures
If you get really desperate, you might consider a complete Internet shutdown. This means deleting all your accounts (and email address if you wish) and going on a media fast. Now this is the extreme version. If you're not that desperate you might want to just delete a few accounts and go on a media fast.
Another way is to have a family member or friend adjust your filter so that you can only use the Internet for work,
and nothing else. It's up to you.
Thanks for reading!
-Tee (7/2/10)
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