I find myself in a peculiar situation. For two and a half years, I lived for the Internet. First thing in the morning, I went online to see what was going on, checked again in the afternoon, and then spent all evening and late into the night in cyberspace. Most days I posted to my blog. That was always one of my favorite things — being able to say what I wish for everyone (or no one) to read. So it came as rather a shock when I checked my blog today and discovered my last post was ten days ago. Ten days! Whatever happened to my addiction? How is it possible that after all that time, I started forgetting to go online?
This has happened before. When I was younger, I used to run a mile every day. Did that for years. And then one day I simply forgot, and that was the end of my running. Same thing with writing — for eight years I wrote almost every day, sometimes two and three times a day. And then one day I forgot. And that was the end of that for a couple of years. To get back into the habit, about three weeks ago I started writing a page every night (mostly stream of consciousness, not fiction, but still it’s writing). And then one night I forgot. I was half asleep when I finally remembered, so I turned the light back on and did my page.
So, back my peculiar situation. I had resolved to cut back on Internet time — I really was spending way too much time here — and now I have to resolve to spend more time. Or not. I could just go with the flow, I guess, and see what happens, but going by past exerience, nothing would happen. I’d simply disappear.
Hmmm. That could make an interesting story, though perhaps it’s been done. The idea seems familiar, but if I ever read such a book, I forgot.
Bertram's Blog 
January 2, 2010 at 2:11 pm
I was wondering about your silence. I suppose it depends on what you’re doing with the time that before you were spending on the internet.
January 2, 2010 at 2:23 pm
My blog, too, was silent for about the same length of time, but not because I forgot. I simply took the time off for the holidays. However, I’m planning to begin my 2010 schedule Monday. I do know what you mean about “forgetting,” though. Why does it take so long to form a habit, and so little time to break it? I guess it’s like weight — easy to gain, hard to lose because we “forget” to keep track. Whether diet or writing, it all boils down to discipline–something I plan to work on this year. Happy New Year, Pat!
January 2, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I just figured you were a mighty busy young lady, probably entertaining a dozen or so family and friends, or maybe writing the next great novel. But I knew you wouldn’t be gone long. Happy New Year, Pat!
January 3, 2010 at 12:58 am
Happy New Year to you, Pat. Several bloggers I know scheduled time off for the holidays. My daughter took all of Advent off from hers.
Sometimes I think our bodies know when we need a break, whether it’s mental, physical or emotional, before we’re aware of it. My husband had heart surgery some years ago and his doctor told him to “listen to your body”. So maybe your ‘forgetfulness’ has been purposeful albeit unintended. But you’re back now. Happy New Year to you. 🙂
January 3, 2010 at 1:01 am
I just re-read my comment. No, of course I didn’t forget that I had already wished you a Happy New Year. Definitely not. You wouldn’t expect me to admit to my own forgetfulness now, would you? I just wanted to be doubly sure I had passed along my wish. As the song goes, “That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!” 😉
January 3, 2010 at 7:25 am
Happy New Year Pat! Finally posted something last night for the 1st time in 6 weeks on my blog. I’ve been on a pretty good writing roll but something had to take a back seat. There’s got to be some balance. My wife Deb is my biggest cheerleader – not fair to spend all of my free time in front of a computer. I’ll talk to you Thursday night.
January 3, 2010 at 10:19 am
It’s so easy for a holiday atmosphere to take over our schedules. That’s good–to some extent. But it plays havoc with our routines, routines so easy to lose track of for those of us who work at home.
Malcolm
January 3, 2010 at 4:57 pm
I’ve been taking time off too. Guess I’ll get back to spending too long here in a while. But I took time off writing and editing as well and I really need to get back to that.
January 4, 2010 at 12:51 pm
Well, here I am again. It’s nice to know I had such great blog sitters while I was gone! I can see that it’s going to be a bit of a push to get me to turn on the computer now, but it’s still fun once I get here. Thank you all for your comments! Glad to see you here.
January 10, 2010 at 6:50 am
I’ve got it down to a science with the fb thing since I have several groups too – I don’t spend hours but I’m still at the computer browsing the net or writing or looking something up. Now I even order my kitty food over the internet. I actually save money and don’t have to lug it.
I sure would like to read some of your books and since I do reviews perhaps your publicist would send me one.
Yes so many things can be addictive…