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View Full Version : Virtually losing yourself (a rant)


shawmutt
22nd August 2009, 04:59 AM
I sit here, early in the morning, after spending two hours on the lastest Facebook app "you just have to try". Truth is, my boss at work recommended it, and I'm just sucking up. Nothing wrong with that, right?

Ever get the feeling your whole life was being totally digitized? More people know me as Shawmutt than by my real name. I kept a diary of all the time I actually spent in a virtual world, including forums, email, social sites, video games--all told about 20 hours a week on average. That's a part time job!

Once and I while I take off the virtual blinders and take stock of what I'm actually gaining during all this time. I then take a look around me at all the things that need to get done around the house, my family that needs constant attention including the two little babies raising hell, my station in life, etc.--and then get overwhelmed, put the virtual blinders back on, and resume my futile and useless virtual existence.

A sign of addiction? Perhaps. But what is the cure? What is the alternative? Why am I writing about this on a forum?

I'm overweight, unhealthy, angry, lonely, and just plain tired. I need a break from the virtual world, but it's damn near impossible. Like food, it seems to be a necessity in this day and age. There's a lot of good that comes from my virtual life. Maybe it's time to dust off the old willpower, eliminate the excess virtual baggage, and go do some real life stuff.

Monketey Ghost
22nd August 2009, 05:45 AM
I feel you bro.

I'm near 40. My weight tends to pool around my gut, and I have to work hard to keep it in check. Cumulatively, I spend probably four hours on the computer a day.

You can do everything. I have a small house, and there's a weight bench and chinning bar nearby, toys for isometric exercises, my guitar amp... my toolbox. yesterday I opened it up and fixed a whole bunch of crap around the place.

You can mix it in. Real life and digital. We're heading there as a species, think forward my man. Be the tough guy, find the willpower you speak of. Charge ahead and evolve.

Overweight's easy enough. Stop drinking soda, no ice cream. That'll help by a few pounds right there. Unhealthy? Eat good meals and exercise a half-hour later for a half-hour. Put your angry and your lonely together, crunch them into a tight ball, and use them as fuel to build your muscles. When you feel the good burn of muscle repair, you'll feel energized and your tired feeling will be well earned.

Plan out routines for every hour of your day, fill up the day with **** that you know will make you feel accomplished. Knowing what you did every hour helps with that. Get to it and stick to it, man. Move! *hits the chin-bar for a quick fifteen*

Soapy Sam
28th August 2009, 09:10 AM
I'm exhausted just reading PB's post. I need a cookie...

Thinks. I'm at work, logged onto someone else's account because mine has no internet access and I just needed a quick JREF fix... addicted? Me? Naw. I can quit any time I want...

Molinaro
28th August 2009, 10:14 AM
I never feel guilty about choosing to spend my time doing something I enjoy.