When It All Gets to Be Too Much

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Sometimes I feel like all I ever do is gawk at a computer screen. Between working in front of a computer and writing on a computer, there are days when I literally spend hours connected to technology. Then you add in the time spent on Facebook, Twitter, reading other blogs and the news, online shopping, and all the other things I end up doing on the internet and sometimes it all just gets to be too much. It’s a funny thing though, because even though I’m starting to get overwhelmed by hyper-connectivity, every time I pull away from the computer for a few minutes, I start to miss it. I start to wonder if anyone has said anything exciting on Facebook or if I’ve had any hits on my blog. I start to wonder if one of my favorite stores has put anything on sale online or if I have any email. It’s like I’m addicted to the screen–like I don’t know what else to do with myself if I’m not clicking around on the computer.

Yesterday I really started to stop and think about how much of myself I devote to screen time–and in doing so, how much of myself I take away from the people and things that should matter so much more than an email or an online sale. How often do I whittle away precious time with my husband by pulling out the laptop instead of sitting and talking to him? It’s amazing how the two of us can be in the same room, sitting right next to each other, and still be completely disconnected by the TV and internet standing between us.

I realize I’m starting to get burnt out and just need to take a break for a while. Fortunately, next week will be the perfect opportunity to do so. Darren and I will be taking a break together and will be cut off from internet, TV, video games, phone–the works. We’ll be spending time just the two of us without all the distractions of technology and hyper-connectivity.

I can’t wait to just sit and look at him. To look at the man who stole my heart in spite of all my fighting, the man who works so hard to provide for us and to show me his great love–just to sit and look at the big brown eyes that won me over 7 years ago and still win me over every single day. How could I ever pass those eyes up for a computer screen? Sorry to be so sappy, but I’m just starting to realize what I’ve been missing out on and can’t wait to really reconnect with a person, not the internet.

“As if you could kill time without injuring eternity.” Henry David Thoreau

50 thoughts on “When It All Gets to Be Too Much”

  1. I can’t believe I missed this post on my reader! I periodically go through times when I hate the computer and the hyper-connectivity! I think you hit the nail on the head with this one! 🙂 Enjoy the time off! (I’m happy for you spending time but I secretly can’t wait to see what’s next!!)

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  2. So true about the hyper-connectivity! It really is funny how we spend so much time in front of a computer doing work and yet even on our own free time, we still choose to face a computer screen to wind down. Enjoy your time away! Oh, and lovely wedding picture you’ve posted! 🙂

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  3. I think we’ve all experienced what you write about at one stage Kari and having just returned from a week’s vacation with my husband and limited internet connection, I can testify that it’s wonderful to disconnect sometimes and get back to life offline. Sometimes it takes a very conscious effort to do this – did you read the research published this week that Harvard neuroscience researchers have just confirmed what many of us have suspected all along: social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest are “brain candy” for Internet users. Every status update, every tweet, every pin is a micro-jolt delivered squarely to the pleasure centers of our brains. That’s why we are drawn back in again to check tweets and status updates, against our better judgment sometimes. Enjoy your time off with your handsome husband – that is such a gorgeous picture of you both 🙂

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  5. It’s so important to connect with people – without being connected to technology! our relationships are what reallly matters in the end. Enjoy your time out….!! Love your blogs!

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  7. LOVE this post! Most darling picture and I love how he stole your heart despite all your fighting. A post about this maybe? Love the wedding photo? Me has big smiles for you too, and this is a great reminder to reconnect to our partner, not just our email. 😀

    Pink.

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  9. This is an excellent point. And that Thoreau quote is perfect. For me, after doing the necessary stuff on the computer I force myself to stay off it and use it as a reward for accomplishing other tasks which include time with my family. I make it a rule to never be on it when family is here. And if it’s causing me to neglect what God has called me to do then it really has to be limited. It takes a lot of self-discipline.
    Something else it affects is my time with God. I force myself to spend time with Him first, in His Word. I need to hear “His Voice” first. Other “voices” entice and pull me away from what is the best for me. I just wrote a brief devotional about this in my post this week. I’d be honored if you’d look at it.
    http://simplysage.org/2012/05/13/first-voice/

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    • Your words here are so true. I’ve started making it a priority to spend time alone in prayer before I get on here because I know as soon as I start, the day will get away from me and I’ll never find the time I need with God. Your post was really beautiful!

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  12. I think the top quote says it all, Kari. I think about this almost everyday. Good news though… I read it takes a week to ween oneself off facebook. I now stay off the newsfeed, and I am cutting down the blogs I follow, or read, to just the people I really like.

    Have a great time and come back to your computer with the knowledge of what really means the most to you… like the last line of this post under the photo.

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  13. I feel it is important to step away from the computer on a regular basis. No phone, no internet, no TV. Just find a spot in nature and feel the breeze…and allow time to unwind and slow down a bit. It will all be there when you get back. 🙂 Have a good time with your hubby. 🙂

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    • You’re right, it will always be there when I get back–no need to stay glued to it every second. I find I enjoy it more anyway when I do take a break and come back instead of getting burnt out with constant use.

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  14. Relax into it and Enjoy your time together. My other half and I escaped to Hawaii back in February and were not connected for 9 days – loved it! Spent some quality time together, had some great conversations, have some great laughs, played like kids in the ocean and with exploring the island; a great time was had. We have been trying to do more of that now. Have Fun and Soak it in!

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  16. Great post. I once asked my grandmother how you stay happily married for over 50 years her answer “Oh you don’t. You get unhappy but then just as you wonder why you’re in with him something happens and you lose your heart to him all over again. It won’t be a big thing, might just be a pat on the hand as you pour his morning coffee but the why comes rushing back and you’re good for a few more years at least.”

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  17. A very important lesson learned, so thankful you see the value of time. It slips past us so very quickly and before we know it another day, another month, another year is gone. Enjoy the privilege of time together with your hubby, re-connect, talk, stare into his big, brown eyes and enjoy. Life is so precious and time is truly a gift.

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  23. Great post! Often technology takes away important family time for me as well. Sadly I believe we are all in a way addicted to technology these days. Often we feel busy when we are at computer but busy does not mean productive. Sometimes the best way to be productive is to relax. Enjoy your time off!

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  24. I do understand how you feel about the amount of time spent on the computer. I’m on it all day at work and then from 8pm until 11pm every night doing twitter, facebook, blogging etc and when I’m not in then I get withdrawal symptons!

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  25. Ironically, as you’re discovering, the wonders of inter connectivity serve to disconnect us from those most important to us. Nicely done.

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