My day is output-heavy. I spend my time making connections, solving problems, and getting things done. In order to make that possible, I must balance the output with input. And so I protect my free time.
The Internet is a great tool, but it is also a risky one. We have all fallen victim to the Internet's black hole effect, reemerging hours later to wonder where the day went. We pay in time and peace of mind what we get in "convenience." These are a few reasons why I keep wifi out of my home.
1. Sanctity of the Home: Making my home a WiFi-free zone keeps my space sacred. This is the place where I come to rest, rejuvenate, and connect with myself and my loved ones. I cannot do any of those things well if I am constantly being pulled away by work emails and Youtube videos of cats being ridiculous. There is a place and time for those things, and for me, it is not in the home.
2. Convenience: The Internet is not hard to find. WiFi hot spots are everywhere: coffee shops, libraries, stores. Many cities are also providing free WiFi for their residents. Even if you don't have an office away from home, it is easy to post up at a library and get online work done.
3. Real World: This strategy forces me to go out into the physical world when I want to engage with the virtual world. By using the Internet in a public place, I am making sure that I will interact with the real world, even if the bulk of my attention is online.
4. Efficiency: Without having the Internet constantly at my fingertips, I use my time online more efficiently. I make lists of things to do when I am connected, which gives me less opportunity to waste time online.
5. Alter Expectations: I make sure to inform colleagues and friends that I keep "email hours" -- I cannot be expected to read or respond to an email in the evenings or on the weekend.
6. Connection: Without the distraction of the internet, I can truly connect with the people and pets that I share a home with.
7. Creativity: I am able to spend more quality time by myself and with others because I no longer have the crutch of going online to fill empty moments. As a result, I connect with my creativity and the world around me in new and exciting ways.
