7 Lessons I Learned Living Without Internet
Nearly 10 weeks ago, I removed Wifi from my home and mobile data from my phone. Here are my observations on it has improved my life and home!
I can't believe it's only been 10 weeks since I got rid of Wifi. Living without internet in the daytime feels normal, and my body has (mostly) adjusted to this slower, old fashioned pace of life.
Haven't read about why I gave up internet? Get the whole story here: Why I'm Living Without Internet at Home.
To be clear, we do still have limited internet from a hotspot on my husband's phone. But it's quite limited (no watching youtube or videos). Because he works full time, I only have access in the mornings, evenings and weekends when his phone is home.
After 10+ weeks, life without internet feels normal. So I wanted to take a moment to record the changes I've noticed, as a reminder to myself and encouragement to anyone who feels the need to drop internet, but hasn't yet made the leap.
Why I Started With a 16 Day Internet Fast
When we decided to get rid of Wifi and mobile data, I took a complete fast from the internet. My brain was wired to reach for my phone, and I wanted to reprogram it.
So I stayed away from everything, while my man checked emails for me.
It was great way to snap my brain into shape. And for two weeks, I craved internet interaction!
Whenever there was a lull in my day, I'd find myself at the kitchen counter where I keep my phone.
Lucky for me, there was no internet access on it!
It was truly pathetic, but I felt lonely washing dishes without a podcast playing. I felt left out, not being able to follow my favorite bloggers or youtubers on line. When I was tired in the evenings, my body craved the screen and the brain-numbing nothingness of watching something new.
There were moments in those 2-3 weeks when I felt like my brain was whirling, searching for a source of entertainment outside of my home.
The silences were long and dull.
But then something simple and magical happened. My brain started to settle, and I began to find pleasure in the little things around me.
How Giving Up Internet Has Improved my Life
1. I Began to Notice Simple Sounds Around Me
After I slowed my brain with an internet fast, I began to notice the simple noises around me.
I never realized that natural sounds are therapeutic gifts for the mind and soul.
I rediscovered the little clinks and splashes of washing dishes. When kneading bread dough at the kitchen table, I heard the quiet stretching and plopping sounds. When I pulled clean sheets from the washing machine, I heard the "shush-shush" of fabrics rubbing together.
I heard the sizzle when fresh eggs hit a hot cast iron skillet, the tick-tick of clocks on the wall, the bird's morning song outside my kitchen window and the crickets cheeping at night. And glory be, I heard the voice of my family members again!
If you haven't read the story, it was my little girl who pushed me into the world of internet free living.
Baby girl no longer calls my name 6 times before it registers with my brain.
I'm finally here. And we all know it!
2. My Brain Found a New Level of Stability & Contemplation
In 2018-2019 I took a fast from the internet, and noticed that my brain slowed down (in a good way). It happened again.
After 2-3 weeks of avoiding the internet, I noticed my brain collected thoughts, easier. My mind felt rested. Instead of mulling over things I'd consumed in podcasts, blogs, youtube videos and headlines, I contemplated my own life and the happenings of my family, friends and community.
That's when I realized it. I was cheating the people around me by filling my brain with thoughts that had nothing to do with our world.
How could I be and give my best, with no space for others in my mind?
Things have been shifting, and it feels good to reclaim my brain for the wellbeing of self, family and friends.
3. I Have More Time and Use It Well (or better)
It's an obvious result, but it's worth recording.
How many of us feel like we don't have enough time in our day? How many wish they could learn a new skill, spend more time outdoors, try a new recipe or actually have time to read a favorite book?
Knocking internet out of the home gives you a lot more time. And when you're sensitive to your environment, you use time differently.
I clean my home more often (for me, it's a very good thing!). I naturally interact more with baby girl, and spend more time in the gardens. I can take up leisurely baking, organize more, and have even been re-reading snippets of old classics (Anne of Green Gables and Little Women).
4. It's Easer to Focus on Spiritual Things
I know not everyone who reads my blog believes in God, or understands that Jesus came and died on the cross so we could be fully reconnected to God, our Creator and kind Heavenly Father.
But I believe this is true.
As a result, I always feel the most connected to God and balanced in my life when I'm regularly reading the Bible, praying and journaling.
When I had internet on my phone, I always felt pulled toward it during my "quiet times." There was always a slight pressure in my brain and I had the hardest time being still, so I could read and be reminded to trust God, ask for His help, reach out to others and keep my focus on things that really matter.
Sometimes, I'd have to throw the phone in a drawer or completely remove it from the room.
But since ridding the home of internet, I've had fewer struggles in this regard. It's easier to find time and focus, even if it's only 15, 20 or 30 minutes a day.
Having the quiet makes a difference throughout the day as well. I contemplate things I'm learning, and find myself praying more.
5. I'm More Relaxed in General
There's no doubt about it. The screen hyped my brain. Since quitting daytime internet use, I'm more relaxed in body, soul and brain.
Perhaps it's because I didn't just quit internet. I also made a point of reintroducing old things I loved. Journaling. Reading. Praying. Baking. Gardening. Watching the animals. Playing with baby girl and telling her funny little stories.
My man noticed the change about 2 weeks in.
He said something to the effect of "I really, really like you this way. You are relaxed and so much more enjoyable to be around."
Ha. The nerve! 😉
Even in this, I find my sense of humor coming back. We're laughing more around here, and it's good.
6. I Want to Connect with Real People
Screens can't feed our souls in the way real, human connection does.
I knew this. But I fell into the trap again. As an introvert (and especially being so sick after baby girl), I reached the point where I felt a sense of connection with people on the screen. People whom I would never meet in real life became my social circle.
It was bad. And I knew it.
In 2018 I wrote the following in my article about Benefits of Living Without Internet.
"Living without screens in our lives, we notice we want to be with other people more often. In spite of the fact that I'm an introvert, I feel something is missing if I don't see other folks at least 2-3x per week."
"...we know that if we return to the internet scene, we need to make sure other people still have priority in our lives."
Apparently I'm only human after all, and slipped back into the old ways!
But with internet cut, I find myself returning to that sweet spot. I am a homebody, but being left alone in my home without an outside world connection, I feel the need to be with other people.
We have play dates at the park, invite people into our home more, make effort to visit others, and I actually feel richer for having left internet "friends" behind!
7. I Am a Better Wife and Mama
It was baby girl who pushed me into giving up internet use in our home. And I'm so glad she did!
I notice her more, these days.
Throughout the week, I'm not to busy to hear the sweetness of her baby voice. I see her skills grow while doing the morning chores. I notice her thought process expanding as she listens to stories and asks questions.
She craves family time, and lights up the minute we pull out a memory game, a puzzle or start playing hide-and-seek.
I'm more consistent with training her and holding to established lines. She's more settled, because she knows what to expect.
Perhaps it's coincidence, but I've seen a new level of security and independence emerge since I gave up internet. She's far less clingy, but wants to be with me as an adoring helper, a participant.
My man loves the peace and order of an internet free (or internet limited) home. Having a wife with a steady brain, who is in tune to herself, the family and our home does bring more peace...and hopefully more order.
And just like last time, our marriage has been strengthened by giving up internet. In the evenings, we aren't sitting with a screen in hand, zoning one another out.
When screens are gone, you naturally turn to the people in your home for connection, friendship and entertainment. Even when it's just little things, they add up to a big difference!
In Conclusion
There are many, many more benefits I've seen from giving up day use of internet in our home, and limiting what access we do have in the evenings.
I stood on the edge of this doorway so many times, and I have no regrets about stepping over the thresh hold.
Internet is supposed to be a tool. And I'm glad our family is doing whatever it takes to keep this tool in the toolbox, instead of letting it dominate our home like a runaway vacuum or spraying hose.
The minor hassles can't compete with the major benefits. For now, this is where we are. And it's good.
