Less screen time the better
one of my goal for 2022 (and onward)

Date: 2022-01-01

Just a short summary about tech and me: I met computers the first time in the mid-1990s, which shaped my life greatly as it helped me to learn English. I become kind of addicted to it, as I used it more than anything else. And that was even before the lightening fast internet. We had a dial-up at home, with 28.8k modem. With the modern internet, computers and tech in general is like a drug. It won't let you go, until you let it go. Easy to say it, right? As I used the computer and the internet more I felt more hatred towards it. Mind you, not towards other people I made contact with, I think we are all slave to the machine (except the few who are already free).

One of my goal this year, is to build habits to use my computer less. Unlike many people around the world, I have only one machine. I don't have a laptop, or a smartphone, or a tablet. In a way I am already using less stuff and less hours than the average person in a western country.

I still feel that I should focus more on the analogue world, than the digital. One of my stupidity is that I don't turn my computer off in the evening, so when I get up the next day, it's so easy to just jump in and check on the www. I have a small room, the computer is in front of my bed.

First I will turn computer off not just in the evening, but every time I don't need it for the next 30 minutes. So if I have stuff to do in the kitchen (make sure to write down the recipe!), I will turn off the machine. If I go to the city, I will turn off the machine. If I go to the groceries near by (walking destance, Tesco usually takes me an hour, less if I going with a shopping list), I will turn off the machine.

Second, make habits that doesn't involve computers. I am already in the habit of writing a journal (1 year will be in February). Building up meditation is also helpful, I want to do it again, I really broke that habit in last November-December. Hiking or walking outside is another one good habit, that can help us break from the chain of tech. Gardening is also something I got into last year.

I used to think that I can conquer the machine, by treating as a tool, but I know that the moment I turn it on, it takes me away, sometimes to places where I just don't want to go. It's an addiction (I have trouble with certain foods, so I know what it looks like), and I will treat it as such.

DT made a good video about this topic: "The More You Know About Technology, The More You Hate It!"

Have a Happy New Year everyone, and may your find your habits that will launch you forward in life!

The music of this post is: You Could Be Mine by Guns N' Roses.

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This is post #1 of the #100DaysToOffload challenge, where we write 100 posts in a year. If you are interested in this event, check out the official website: 100DaysToOffload.com. Happy writing everybody! :)