Read a couple of long articles in the Sunday New York Times about attention deficits caused by too much scrolling and interaction on social media. None of it is a surprise, just confirmation about how I'm already feeling. I really want to concentrate on analog activities. Reading, writing, anything that isn't cyber.

I've pretty much weaned myself from TV, though at the cost of doom scrolling. It's time to really do something about it.

This will sound strange, but I feel myself strengthened and rejuvenated by reading the New York Times. Doomscrolling by comparison is empty calories. The Sunday paper is nothing like the online version; there is so much more in-depth reporting in the newspaper, accent on paper.  Reading it cover to cover including the Book Review and the magazine takes up most of an afternoon.

Unfortunately, that's nothing compared to how much doomscrolling I do. Being semi-retired means I have a lot of free time and I've fallen into the habit of spending hours which turn into days online.  

I've made some good moves. When I'm at the store, I rarely do any computer work, except to make orders. No point-of-sale and all that entails. 

I read every night for at least an hour, which gets me through a book every week or so. (Actually, I've fallen behind, but that's my goal.) 

I also leave my phone in the bathroom at home, or safely in my pocket when I'm out. I don't use the phone for anything but picture taking and phone calls.

When I drive the half hour to and from the store, I don't listen to music or books. I'm alone with my thoughts, and that's the way I like it.  

When I'm home alone I will sit and contemplate things, talk out loud to myself, try to figure out life.  

It's my laptop that is my downfall. I'm as addicted to social media as anyone, and I find myself currently falling into the black hole of YouTube.

Enough already.  

I'm not making any grand declarations. My intention is to ween myself from the internet as much as possible. I think if I can check the news once in the morning and once at night, that will be enough. If I check Facebook and Reddit but once a day and no more than an hour, that will be an improvement.

With all the free time? I don't know yet, but I'll figure it out.