So Far, So Good

Last week I decided I needed to actually schedule my computer time so I didn't waste so much time.  Well, 1 week in and so far, so good.  After just the first couple of days I felt saner because I wasn't wasting time online and then rushing around trying to cook or clean.  I also have an easier time getting ready in time for daily Mass when the computer's off.  I'm not incredibly strict about the schedule, since I can't predict what the kids will do or need, but I know roughly when I'll get on, and then I just make sure to only be on for the set amount of time.

One of the problems I had before was that I'd think of something I truly needed to look up (or was just curious about), so I'd get online and look it up.  Then the Thnikkaman would arrive and I'd get distracted and look at various other things.  Later I'd remember something else I needed to know, so the cycle would repeat.  Now I just jot things down if I need to look something up or have a blog idea, and then I can do it all when I get online.  I also find that I don't really care as much about being online, so I don't always take up all of my scheduled online time, which is great.

I'm even sticking to my cleaning schedule a bit better.  Granted, it's still not up to Fly Lady standards, seeing as I don't shine my sink every evening, but it's a lot better.

Willpower

I have a fair amount of willpower.  I don't give in to my every whim or craving and am pretty good at delayed gratification.  Unless, of course, we're talking about the computer.  For quite some time I've told myself that I needed to cut down on my computer time, and in fact I did so during Lent.  Not only do I waste time on the computer, only to then wonder why the housework hasn't been done and why I've not exercised, but I'm not all that nice/patient with the kids.  Kieran also demands to see videos or play games, and while we can have fun doing that, I still wind up being rather impatient.  I'd really like to nip this in the bud sooner rather than later, especially since we hope to have more children, God willing, and I wish to home educate.  Yes, there's a good reason that sloth is one of the seven deadly sins.  *sigh*

As I mentioned, I did cut down during Lent, and I always try to limit my computer time on Sundays.  It isn't a problem if the computer is off completely: the problem is when I turn it on and say I'll be on for just a little while, only to then keep coming back to check things.  I'll tell myself that I'll only get on during naps, or when I'm feeding Charlotte, but it doesn't seem to work for me.  Therefore, I'm just going to have to be stricter with myself.  I'm still going to try to keep the computer off on Sundays (with the exception being if we're getting on Skype to talk to family), and for the other days I'll set certain hours when I can get online.  I'd actually told myself that I needed to set actual hours before, but then I'd say "Oh, I'll write that down later", and it would never happen.  This time, I made myself set the hours when the thought popped into my head.  Maybe now I'll actually stick to my schedule for housework and get back into exercising daily, as well as spending time playing with the kids and reading (both to them and just reading for my own enjoyment).