How to Live Without the Internet

When I was a kid, we didn't have the internet. It wasn't until I was in high school that the internet really started to find its way into people's homes. When we got it, I discovered chat rooms and would stay up late meeting people online. As I learned more and more about the internet, it took up more and more of my time.

Now, I am on it constantly. I know I am not alone in this.

So, what did we do without it? I had to stretch my mind a bit, but I thought I'd come up with a list of my favorite things to do before the internet existed. Though I was just a child back then, I bet I can still find a way to enjoy these activities and not be online.

I played outside all the time.

I am trying to imagine what it was like to be in the woods, go for a walk, play a game, or do anything outside without my phone or the internet close by. But, I managed. In fact, I would play outside all the time. Instead of calling my friends to see if they wanted to go outside, I walked over. More often than not, they were ready and willing to play.

I read books offline.

I have the Kindle app on my iPad and I do a lot of reading online. Sure, I still read the real thing but I tend to use the iPad out of convenience. But, it hurts my eyes a little bit and I much prefer reading the real thing.

I talked to my friends on the phone or in person.

Because of texting, Facebook, twitter, and email I can keep in touch with my friends without actually seeing them in person. But I wonder, how quality is my interaction if all we do is communicate electronically?

I know that the internet has enhanced our lives, but I wonder if we overdo it?

I know that the internet can be a good thing. But, I think it's important to remember what it feels like to not be totally plugged in. So, my challenge is to spend at least an hour a day doing something other than being online.

But, how can I do that?

• Schedule the time. The first thing I will do is schedule the time in my day and stick with it. If I don't block off the time, I won't stick with it.

• Activities I enjoy. Instead of simply writing in the schedule "don't be online" I will choose an activity I enjoy and write that down. For example, I may choose to pencil in an hour to knit or read a novel.

• Start small. If you find 60 minutes to be too long, why not schedule in small blocks of time, such as fifteen or twenty minutes, to start off with?

• Take on a hobby. Do you have a hobby? Pursuing something you enjoy can be a great way to get offline.

• Get social. Social networks don't count! Turn everything off, even your phone, and visit with a friend or family member you haven't spent a lot of time with. Give this person your undivided attention.

Not being online can be hard. But, it is possible to spend some quality time without the internet.