Winter in Portland. Image by Kristal Passy.

On the first Monday of every month, we take on a ‘mission’ – a shift or habit or inspiration – to work on together. There’s strength (and support) in numbers! On the last Thursday of the month, we reconvene to see how far we’ve come.

#18

Please don’t hate me.

A Year ago (in 3 days) my son was born (Happy Birthday Waits!!!). I popped in here to introduce him, and then I pretty much disappeared for the rest of March. I needed that time – as a new mama, as a broken body, as I was falling so deeply in love – I needed that time to myself. And I came back from my hiatus refreshed and stronger than ever.

Can you see where this is going?

I need to take a break. I need 30 days completely away from the Internet. Here’s why:

• I form my thoughts in 140-character blocks. MY OWN PERSONAL THOUGHTS. Seriously.
• I am midway through birthing a new baby, and I need to give it the attention that it needs right now.
• I am hopelessly addicted to the Internet. I surf it when I should be working. I surf it when there’s nothing worth surfing. I surf it when I should be playing with my kid.
• Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Every time I take a break from Bonzai, it breaks my heart and terrifies me. I’m scared that all my traffic will dry up. I’m afraid that all my readers will leave me. I worry about letting people down. BUT. Every time I take a break, I come back so inspired. I’m always beter for it, and Bonzai is better for it, too.

These are just a few of the many reasons for this particular March Mission. I’m both sick with anxiety and soaring with anticipation. What will this month be like without my computer??!

Will I read the mountain of books that taunts me from atop the dresser? Will I pound out essay after essay for my freelance work? Will I become a better mother? A better wife?

Will I be bored?

I’m allowing myself email, twice a day. Otherwise the computer stays closed. Now, I know that this isn’t feasible for everyone – maybe anyone – else. But, you can easily modify this mission into something that challenges your own relationship with media. Maybe you quit Facebook for a month? Or log out of your Google reader? Maybe you could cut your web surfing down to 1/2 an hour a day. Maybe you should only check Twitter once per hour. It’s all up to you and suited to your own comfort level. But I hear it over and over, from readers here on Bonzai to friends in person – it seems like everybody is unhappy with the time they spend online.

So let’s do something about it.

Starting tomorrow. 30 days. I’ll miss you so much!

So what do you think? Do you accept this mission? And how do you plan to make it work uniquely for you?

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