I know, it’s ironic to be talking about “unplugging” in a blog post. But I have decided to allow myself this one e-outlet, because I think it’s the most healthy for me.
A typical day for me is like this: alarm goes off (set to NPR), listen to NPR whilst getting ready, whilst checking email, facebook, DCist, then go to work (most days), read the Express paper on the Metro, go home, check email, facebook, DCist, get pissed about the state of affairs, get pissed about the things people do and say, start making dinner (whilst listening to NPR), eat dinner, Tim and I talk about race relations/current affairs, and whilst Timmy cleans up (yay, because I cooked!) check facebook for the latest updates.
This is not healthy. And I don’t even have internet capabilities on my phone, Lord help me if I did.
Here are the things I am stressed about:
• Race relations in this country, not only as they relate to our president, but also attitudes towards Muslims and Muslim-Americans
• Rights for Gay, Lesbian, and Transgender Americans. I am still flabbergasted that someone can be fired from their job in the military just because they are gay. It’s archaic. Not to mention marriage rights, and the bennies that come with them.
• Historical inevitability: if the US doesn’t pull its head out of its ass, we are going to be taken over by China (already kind of are) and the rest of the ‘developed’ world who provides health care for all of their citizens
Now how many of these things can I really control? None. Will reading and listening to everything I can get my hands on help the situation? No.
So I’ve decided, no more facebook (I will not be logging on for a one month trial period), listen to NPR only one time during the day, and no Express paper on the Metro. I started these practices last week and I already feel better.
There is so much anger in this country right now, I don’t want to turn into one of those angry pundits who yells nonsense and puts bad energies out into the world, and riles up all the people who listen.
Starting from Book 1, I am re-reading the Harry Potter series on the metro, it makes the ride much more enjoyable. I am working on de-stressing and sending out good vibes. And my response to people who say infuriating things will now be, “That’s, like, your opinion…man.” The Dude abides.
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Good for you for unplugging. I've thought about it many a time so maybe this will just inspire me. It is the exact reason I don't have a blackberry or any other fancy mobile device that would connect me straight to my email or other b/c I would get addicted to that too. And yay for de-stressing - healthy for us all.
ReplyDeleteand apparently we both did well in the hubby department - matt cleans up as well and it is so appreciated. :)
I mean, say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Heather, at least its an ethos.
ReplyDeleteI still need to delete my MySpace account. I'm worried that if I log in to MySpace my profile will have been phished and then I'll start spaming all of my e-contacts. But I'm with you: unplugging is the way to go. After Pete was killed I unplugged in a major way because all of my hyper-awareness of the war in Iraq, politics, etc., didn't make one bit of difference. I was fatigued and disillusioned and a cynicism took hold for a number of months that I think is finally abating. I'm still not plugged in anymore than NPR, which I think is all I really need. The world is still going to spin and the people in power are going to make decisions without consulting ME. I think I need to start reading Harry Potter. We have all the books (save the last one) and I'm like, "what am I waiting for?"
ReplyDeleteHey Hey I agree with you. I started listening to books on tape on my drive to and from work and I'm like a whole new woman! Good for you.
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