Are you addicted?
by Rachel Sarah
Filed under Tips & Advice
It has gotten really bad over here.
Ever since I started to work as a newspaper reporter, I’ve been glued to a computer (I had to! It was my job.) Now that I have a laptop and an iPhone, I’m always “hooked up.”
My iPhone wakes me up every morning (the harp alarm!), and before I get out of bed, I’m checking my email. I do wait until I’m having my coffee to check Twitter and Facebook. And I’ve never Tweeted on a date. But still.
Not a weekend passes without checking the Internet.
For something super special — like traveling to New York City with my kid – sure, I’ll take a breather. But going ALL weekend without checking in? Definitely not. (And, yes, this has gotten on my new guy’s nerves!)
I’m not alone. Parenting.com recently highlighted “Why moms are at risk for Internet addiction.
Of course, I’ve been buzzing back and forth on this topic with Dr. Leah. She told me that psychologists have been hotly debating about Internet addiction. Should it be an official diagnosis like alcohol dependency? Yikes!
It’s so easy to see how this all starts. Loneliness, isolation, and hay wire schedules typically plague new moms. You can log into message boards and blogs 24/7 ( a welcome diversion from drool, spit-up, and worse!) At least when you post a comment, someone is listening to what you have to say.
Still… do you — like me? — “check” every time the new message beep sound? Do you get a bit cranky when you’re caught in a no-Internet black hole?
We’re still figuring this out ourselves, so we’d love to know if you’re also prone to plugging in and zoning out.
Do you ever secretly worry that your Internet activity is a habit you’d have a tough time breaking?
Or, do you see your screen time as a harmless diversion?
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How is this one for an answer for you?
I didn’t want to comment first (but alas I came back and no comments yet) because I didn’t want to see too ‘addicted’. ha!
I very much worry that in internet activity is a habit I’d have a tough time breaking. I think like you work plays a big role in it. I sit at a desk all day. I get bored (I hate my field) and I surf the net. Blogging and reading blogs has become my biggest interest in the recent months.
I think it is a couple of things, boredom at work started it but loneliness or maybe a sense of connection really is what keeps it going on and on.
I am also on the computer a lot at home for school. When I get bored or overwhelmed I’m already on the net doing school work and I take mini breaks that turn into really lots and lots of mini breaks surfing the net… connecting with others.
I think as single parents we are often left alone at night and on the weekends. The times we don’t have our chilren we are unsure what to do but we feel unconnected and the internet provides that for us.
Kari’s last blog post..I have it harder, you get a break…
Twitter @ http://tsquest.blogspot.com
Yes. Like right now when I should be leaving for work but I’m here…
*sigh*
Is there a pill for that? (Not that I would take it.)
Something homeopathic maybe?
T’s last blog post..Call me a cougar or call me romantic
Twitter @ aprilabtbalance
Yes, there are definitely times where I’m on for no good reason, but, as I told Hanna, I’m a functioning addict. So long as I still take care of my responsibilities, I’m not going to add it on as one more thing to stress about!
My internet connection at home is very spotty on the weekends, and I did manage to survive without it
April’s last blog post..Thank You!
I love the fact I’ve met and read so many wonderful bloggers, and that it’s easier to stay connected to friends. But, I think being too connected is dangerous — at least for me and my mental health. I pride myself on being able to multi-task, but in the last few months I’ve kind of hit the wall of social media/outlets and all of this electronic “input” in my brain. I refuse to start Twitter because I fear what it will do to me, and I’ve kind of abandoned regular updates to my FaceBook and other accounts. It’s all too distracting, and I definitely would be more productive without distractions! I’ve really been struggling to find the right balance.
Now, back to work…
Susan’s last blog post..Sun-shiny days
Without a doubt, I am addicted. But I think this is much healthier than when I wasn’t, in an odd kind of way.
When it was really, really bad, I didn’t care about anything or anyone (my son aside). That was after watching my daughter die. The grief snowballed into the isolation and lack of interest this bereaved single mother felt. Nothing mattered. Nothing.
Then, my physical disability made working impossible. The isolation multiplied.
So, now I believe that being on the computer, writing, reading, playing euchre, while not optimal is a step in the right direction. It is inching me toward the land of the living once again. Something matters.
And I tell myself considering the other addictions I could have easily been drawn to (alcohol and drugs), the ones I have chosen (sugar and the internet) are the better bet.
won’s last blog post..No Words
Twitter @ http://www.singlemommindy.blogspot.com
Yep, I’m addicted. But I think it’s a healthy outlet and I still function in all other ares as I normally would. I’m always multi-tasking so blogging and social media gives me the ability to stay connected with other adults while parenting, etc. I can leave it and come back to it and no one is left hanging on hold like with a phone call. I can keep in touch with people on a regulare basis now too.
MindyMom’s last blog post..Who’s Your Daddy?
Twitter @ http://www.singlemommyhood.com
Won: I have to admit that you got me to chuckle a bit at the end there, because this resonated with me…
“I tell myself, considering the other addictions I could have easily been drawn to (alcohol and drugs), the ones I have chosen (sugar and the internet) are the better bet.”
I hear you, mama!
Internet and sugar, do the rest of you fall for this, too?
Twitter @ http://wondermom-pickingupthepieces.blogspot.com/
Yes, I’m addicted. Right now I need to take my computer in to the shop but I don’t want to be 48 hours without it so I’m procrastinating. I’m with Won though, there are worse things to be addicted to!
Wondermom’s last blog post..A good start
Twitter @ MsV1959
Yes. I’m addicted. My computer is in the shop, and it was scary this weekend, getting my ex-husband to LOAN me his laptop…
The Tweet Deck sound is really like crack. It is.
Yeah. I’m a bit worried.
Ms.V’s last blog post..I May Have Given Up Running Today*
Ha ha I just blogged about this one too. I compared my internet interruption to Heroin withdrawls. Ok, so its really not THAT bad, but damn sometimes I scare myself.
Hanna’s last blog post..Week in review
Twitter @ http://www.singlemommyhood.com
Ms. V: I sure hope you write a post about your ex-husband loaning you his laptop… Wow. That’s trusting!
Glad I’m not alone…because my addictions are definitely the Internet, sugar and reading! (But I do like a glass of wine before bed every night too).
Shannon’s last blog post..Bored, are we?
Sugar, of course! Does anyone else share my “chocolate habit”?
Hi, my name is Bill…
Yes I am addicted to the internet. Although I prefer to think of it as just coming into the 21st century. Or living my fantasy sci-fi life. Depends on how silly I’m feeling that day.
I check my email five times a day, am constantly on facebook, myspace, and a variety of other forums and social networking sites. I am always looking things up. I even go to school on the internet.
But during one of the hardest times in my life when I was very isolated IRL I met people online who helped and supported me. Kept me going when all I wanted to do was curl up and quit on everything.
And some of those people became my IRL friends too.
So it’s not such a bad thing being eternally plugged in
Donyae’s last blog post..Ring the Bells, Marriage Has Died
Glad you joined us – welcome!
I’m addicted. And I have no reason to be. It’s like I’m waiting for the ultimate life-changing email that never comes.
Erica’s last blog post..Mother Fucking Shit
Twitter @ iswirls
I’m hooked, with a good reason. I work by way of the internet. But I’m still trying to figure or remember what I did before the internet. Hmmmm. I better check out my photo album.
haha
Eathan’s last blog post..Modern Single Momma Contest