Alright so I'm gonna quit internet and tv, now what?

[mbp86]

I strongly believe that the internet and when I'm not on the internet, tv are major distractions in my life. So much so that they consume my life when I'm not at work. Since I've lost touch with my friends and I'm too afraid (or whatever it is) to reconnect with them, I just stay inside and do nothing. I obviously want to fix this and I feel like I must eliminate the biggest time wasters. Before I call my pals, I think it may be best if I try to become more interesting and outgoing. I don't want to call them up and tell them that I've basically done nothing since the last 5 years I've spoken to them. I really haven't done anything. All I do is stay inside and watch porn and tv.

So I need to go out and experience things. Go to places, talk to people, take risks, become spontaneous, whatever. I got to force myself out of my comfort zone which I hope will be easier when I have nothing to distract me. It's either, stay inside and stare at walls or go out and find entertainment. I'll attempt to talk to strangers and try to ask out a female for the first time in my life.

Then after I've gained some confidence, I'll call my friends and try to get a social life.

I think I will use meetup.com (By using internet at the library), to find people who share similar interests as me. I'll also go to attractions in my state and do some hobbies.

Have any of you gone without tv and internet? Were you more productive? How hard was it to go without them?

I have no idea what the point of this topic was. I just had to post my thoughts to free my mind.

[Cyber Lume]

Hmm....I think eliminating distractions can help, as long as you don't find new distractions when your SA tests you. It's an amazingly easy to thing to do when you try to break out of your comfort zone.

I've gone without TV and the internet on camping trips, so I had to be productive anyway. >_>; I haven't had cable in a LONG time, either, so I guess I don't watch TV that much... I always think I'd be fine without these things, but it might be harder for you if that's you're crutch.

[LonelyGuyFromQueensNY]

If you stop going online how will you come back to check the replies in this thread ?

[Gary]

That's a good idea, however try to have a plan to commit to while doing that that makes you improve

[Ego Dead]

Do it, kill it now.

[confidencelost]

Originally Posted by mbp86

Before I call my pals, I think it may be best if I try to become more interesting and outgoing. I don't want to call them up and tell them that I've basically done nothing since the last 5 years I've spoken to them. I really haven't done anything. All I do is stay inside and watch porn and tv.

So I need to go out and experience things. Go to places, talk to people, take risks, become spontaneous, whatever. I got to force myself out of my comfort zone which I hope will be easier when I have nothing to distract me. It's either, stay inside and stare at walls or go out and find entertainment. I'll attempt to talk to strangers and try to ask out a female for the first time in my life.

Then after I've gained some confidence, I'll call my friends and try to get a social life.

I agree that you should try and talk with strangers, ask out girls and get comfortable with people. However I've been thinking like you for a while: that I'll get myself sorted out and then I'll get back in touch with the friends I care about. The problem is I don't really know when or even if that time will come. Surely doing it now could actually be part of sorting out our social anxiety? I should practice what I preach I suppose... I know it's hard though.

Originally Posted by mbp86

Have any of you gone without tv and internet? Were you more productive? How hard was it to go without them?

No. You mentioned porn in your post too though and I did give that up as of October 1st; More time and I feel better physically and in some ways mentally.

[Chris16]

I regularly shut off my internet, and it's very liberating to me. It doesn't magically make me more social, but it makes me feel more alive.

That said, we shouldn't forget what the internet is. There are lots of productive things to do with it. It's actually crazy to think that you could get stuck on just 3 or 4 websites when there are so many interesting things on the web.

[foe]

I didn't need TV or the Internet when I was going to school and/or had a full-time job. I also had a few friends I hang out with too; by hanging out I mean playing video games, going to the gym and playing poker ().

You can live without TV and the Internet if you're occupied with things to do.