The Internet is a busy, complicated place. It’s swirling and bubbling with information. With opinions. With judgements. With ideas. With creativity. With cruelty. With inspiration. With brilliance. With crap.
It’s easy to get swept up. To get swept away. To feel frantic and small and confused. To compare yourself. To fret over your number of friends or followers. To binge on information. To grasp for validation. To fear you’ve missed something important. To feel behind, left out, invisible.
There are so many voices. So much noise. So many people clawing for a piece of your time, a chunk of your wallet, a slice of your soul. It’s a jungle!
Take a few deep breaths while I remind you (and me) of a few things we already know but may have forgotten:
- It’s all optional.
- You’re the only expert on what’s best for you.
- You can keep up with whatever (and whoever) helps you feel open and free. You can ditch the rest.
- Your computer has an “off” button.
P.S. I’m taking part in a digital sabbatical with the brilliant Alexandra Franzen on July 20-25. You’re invited to join!
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Great post! I have so many, many blogs in my reader it is impossible to keep up with everyone’s stories, updates and advice. And yes, sometimes it is easy to feel overwhelmed by all the information, and even the obligation of reading the posts of so many friends I have made online (through my PJ and my ‘mommy’ profile). As much as I love it, it is good to be reminded occasionally that it is all optional
Hey PJ! Great to see you over here! So glad these reminders resonated with you.
The biggest blessing is that it has allowed me to keep in touch with you and be inspired by how you have designed your life! Through your blog, I have found so many other wonderful bloggers, several of whom have become my friends. I have learned that I really won’t miss anything if I use the delete button liberally, but, you are right, it is all a bit to keep up with sometimes. I probably won’t just take a vacation from being on-line, but I might be even more selective in what is esential and what isn’t. I have learned a lot and met some lovely friends! Enjoy your break, Joy. You deserve some down time!
Aw, thanks Jean! Believe me, I’m not bashing the beauty of being online. I truly love all the opportunities the Internet has opened for me! But sometimes I find I “overdo it” and need to step away. I’m looking forward to some time to disconnect!
Thank you Joy! These are great reminders to help us get some space and perspective while online.
(The first weeks of twitter were hard for me, it seemed everyone I was following were all friendly and I was struggling to try and keep up with the conversation instead of letting relationship grow naturally.)
Hey Kate! Boy, I totally know what you mean about Twitter. I was WAY overwhelmed at first. In fact, I tried it for a few weeks and then gave up for a while. But now it’s one of my favorite ways to connect. I guess there’s another lesson there about giving ourselves time to figure out what works and what doesn’t.
I’m going on away for a conference at the end of the month and decided to not take my laptop and just unplug for the duration. The internet will survive without me. And I’ll take plenty of fabulous pictures — it’s at a game lodge and reserve — so there will be plenty of blogging material when I get back!
Enjoy your sabbatical!
Good for you, Hanlie! Sounds like the perfect opportunity to unplug and fully enjoy your surroundings!