elySEX.net

I admit it: I’m addicted to my computer. My brain needs a reboot, a detox, but I’ve got a problem. See, anytime I spend my days offline (i.e. - the real world *shivers*), I worry about missing something. Blog posts, emails, forum activity - I don’t want to come back to find I’ve missed important things. So I have pondered a proposal that would rectify my situation, allow my brain a rest, and might help my friends!

Mental Reboot Week
Mental Reboot Week will begin Monday, May 19th at 12:01 AM. It will end the following Monday at the same time. For that one week, all participants will shut their computers off. That’s the one and only rule - no computer.

Of course, there are exceptions to the rule. If you earn your living on the internet, it wouldn’t be the best idea to go offline completely. If you’d still like to participate in this computer detox, simply shut down when you’re finished working! It won’t be a complete detox, but it’s better than nothing.

If you keep in touch with loved ones over the internet, you might want to try to schedule times to speak with them. You could also tell them you need a week off. Let them know what you’re doing and why you are doing it. They’ll understand.

Tips & Tricks
During Mental Reboot Week, you’re probably going to have some problems, but going on the internet to solve them means disrupting your detox. Here are some ideas that might help:

Out of sight, out of mind.
Have a laptop? Is your PC easily moved? Put it somewhere you don’t often venture (a closet, a spare bedroom, the cabinet with all the cleaning supplies). If you can’t see it, you’re more likely to make it through your detox. I mean, you wouldn’t want an alcoholic to spend the week in a liquor store, would you?

Keep a journal.
During your detox, you’ll probably find you’re going to be irritable. This happens when you’ve spent a lot of time doing something, and you take it away. Write down your feelings in a journal. You might also want to write down how you feel about the detox, how it’s different from spending your days online, and whether you’d consider doing it again next year. Think about those three things every day during your week in the real world, and compare how you feel about them at the beginning and at the end of the detox.

Cut down on the rest of your media. Do something more productive.
While you’re at it, why not cut back on your video games, movies, and television consumption? During the week, you’re going to be looking for something to compensate for your lack of computer. Choose something a little less brain-draining instead. Pick up a book, a sketch pad, or some pots and pans for kitchen play. Play with your kids. Go *gasp* outside in the sun.

Call other participants.
Got the phone number of another participant? Vent to them; they’ll be having the same problems you are.

Other questions?
I will be checking comments and emails until Monday, so feel free to ask. I’m sort of making stuff up as we go, so compromise and debate are welcome. Majority rules, but official changes and additions to this Mental Reboot will be my responsibility to add. I promise I won’t ignore you *cough*like I ignore my email pals*cough*. We are on a deadline, after all.