Thus begins my mostly-unplugged August. I wrote about it here. The summary is that on weekdays i’m working just one hour per day for Job #1, doing no big catering jobs (job #3), and i’m turning off the computer by 8 pm. On weekends, no computer from noon to bedtime except for an hour around supper time. Make a point of going somewhere every day. Use new metro pass at least once a day (i.e. go somewhere outside my immediate neighbourhood).
So today is day one, I am already realizing a few things. Sobriety parallels anyone?
- it’s going to take a few days to get used to this (probably 7-9 days where I think – this isn’t worth it, why bother)
- some moments it’ll seem like i should just turn on the internet so i can zone out (but i won’t, i want to have a successful month with no slips)
- i’m going to be bored when i remove the computer. i need to make a list of things to do (when bored: have a bath, read, go to bed, go for a walk, cook something, eat something, clean something, sing something, draw/paint/photograph something). same rules apply for when you’re bored with sobriety…
- write a lot – get my ideas out of my head. this means writing off-line (horrors) on a yellow lined pad with the right pen. or the wrong pen.
- run a lot – at least 10-15 minutes a day, 5 days a week. i like myself more when i run 🙂 i’m nicer to myself on the days that i run. nuff said.
- it will not all ‘get done’ but i’ll be unplugged (sober). that might the only thing i achieve this month, and that’ll still be good enough.
- note to me that i’ve been waiting to do this for a long time (i did it last year and while it was, at times, a struggle, i really enjoyed it and remember it fondly). Having more undistracted time is an adventure. i don’t know how i’m going to feel every day. but i’ve literally been waiting 11 months for this day to come, and now it’s here, and i’m excited and nervous and … tired. I’m ready for a change for the better. You?
–> i will be online checking emails every day. i just might be a bit slower responding than normal, but i’m reading everything and I am still physically here (i.e. not travelling). you’re not bothering me. should i say it again? keep emailing. you’re not bothering me.
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Hi Belle! I took some time away from phone and computer while on vacation and loved it! Had some pangs of wanting to drink while on vacation … Because that’s what you do when on vacation…or I used to do. Everyone else still drinks. So I went for a bike ride…walked on the beach, watched sunset, played cards, read kindle and ate ice cream…oh and slept a whole lot (Belle ‘s go to plan:))
It’s good to be home and catching up with your blog!
Denise
Have a lovely holiday belle and take good care of you. As Nellie days, thanks for all you do for us.
Enjoy, Belle!! Thanks for all you do.
I fell off the wagon a couple maybe 7 days in July. Back on today. Bummer:(