Lately, I've been changing as a person, and I have done a lot about this. I've drastically changed my hairstyle and wardrobe. Also, I began questioning who I am and why I'm doing what I'm doing to reflect that. I've had various discussions with my dad that have both helped us get closer, as well as provide well needed guidance and insight on my life. I have begun to be more honest and open with my family (especially my dad) in my late teenage years, and therefore I've begun to be more honest and open with myself in hopes that I can find more about who I am as I begin living my life as an adult.
One discussion that's come up lately has been how easily persuaded my age group can be, and I'm not denying the truth in that - I'm fairly easily persuaded. I do have my own opinions and ideals that I won't change for anyone (easily, at least), but for the most part if my parents and friends want something for me, I'm very easily swayed in their favor. Because this persuasion branches out to media and acquaintances, I have decided that I'm going to distance myself from the internet for a good while. This is so that I can start to form my own individual ideas and values, and see how much of an impact the internet really has on me by diminishing it. By "a good while" I specifically mean somewhere between a few months and the end of this year. I'm leaning toward a year, but who knows? I've been so immersed in the internet that I may well feel the need to come back sooner.
What made me come to this decision was thinking about how many things I've done and continue to do for other people, as well as my past of putting myself last and others first. Though in some situations that is appropriate, it happening as often as it does needs to come to an end. An easy way to end this is through getting away from the social media such as facebook, youtube, my two blogs (here and on tumblr), and other similar websites. Though I won't be leaving the internet completely (I still need to study for my GED), I don't plan to be on nearly as much as I usually am, if at all.
To know the amount of time I'll be spending on the internet in the near future, I'll be studying for my GED for a little while longer, I'll do an occasional Google search, I will keep up with Ashira's Notebook and Ashira's Store [see details below] and other business-related things, and I will also check my e-mail every so often (once or twice a month, at my most frequent), but this is it. I will also be keeping up with RPA, and my reasons are laid out on the About Me section on RPA specifically for anyone interested in knowing or for my fellow RPA users. As far as IM goes, however, I'm not at all sure if I'll be keeping up with it. I'll specifically communicate my plans to my IM buddies via IM or e-mail once I'm sure.
The things I'm saying goodbye to for now are Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr, GaiaOnline, deviantART [mostly], FurAffinity [mostly], Writer's Cafe, etc. These places are consuming my life and taking away the time I could be spending on studying, working out, creating art, writing my books, college work, family and friends... the list goes on and on. Honestly, I'm so dependent on the internet that if I were to just take this action on my own without any say, it would probably concern a great number of people. Think about it - if I had just up and left, you'd be questioning my absence by the second month at longest, I'd bet.
As my general rule [aside from RPA and some e-mails], I'm really only staying on
the internet for professional reasons. In other words, I AM keeping up with Ashira's Notebook and Ashira's Store for the duration of my leave. For more information about how much time I'll be spending on Ashira's Notebook and Ashira's Store [as well as what I mean by the "mostly" parts on DA and FA], click here.I'm also considering taking more time off, depending on how well this goes for me. I'll let you know what's happening by the end of the year if this happens, though. In the meantime, however, I'm not cutting communication from anyone through this. My friends and family can always communicate with me through phone, preferably call but texting is ok too, and I will check my e-mail every so often as well. If you don't have my number, don't be shy to shoot me an e-mail [if you've never e-mailed me before, please provide your full name so I know that you're someone I know in person] and I'll more likely than not message you my number back or text you so you have my number.
My last log in to facebook was officially April 2nd, 2012. If you are my friend there, and I start making posts, liking things, etc. without first making an official note [which I promise I'll do] saying I've come back and why, then please e-mail me stating that you think I've been hacked. From there I'll take care of the situation...or, the less likely outcome, I'll tell you it was just me screwing around.
Please understand that I'm doing this to better myself, and not so I can avoid contact with you or anyone else. Thank you for your time.
No comments:
Post a Comment