The Disconnected Life
May 17th, 2008Two weeks ago, an idea struck me while I was extensively cleaning my room. Of course I had to turn off the computer and my modem since I was rearranging everything totally (I need to setup my internet connection and router in the other room one of these days…). I suddenly got the urge to try not to go online, or even open the computer for 24 hours. Knowing my attachment (read: addiction) to IRC, I believe it would be quite a challenge. And so I went through with it. From 09:00 to 09:00 of the next day, I, abruptly and without warning (sorry, online friends), disappeared from the Web.
And I’m glad I took that personal challenge. I’ve been able to give myself, for a full 24-hours, some time to think about my life, where it has been, and where it’s headed, as well as my goals. It came at an opportune time (just after a very hectic first quarter and right before going back to school) to think and reflect. And I actually enjoyed that feeling of being offline, specially from IRC (though I really missed my friends). That 24-hour, computer-free plan turned into (almost) a week without IRC, though I still needed to check my mail and RSS feeds… maybe next time I can try doing without those as well.
It was a great experience. I wish I could have spent a few days in a some sort of nature retreat like a forest or mountain (not the beach :P). I think every hacker should have a sort of “retreat” like this once in a while, to recharge and refocus and avoid burning themselves out. You may not be churning code in those few days, but it’s time well invested. Important, but not urgent, as Stephen Covey would say. Besides, you can also be productive at that time. Not only was I able to gain some perspective in my life, I was able to also able to think about what free software tools I wish I had at my disposal, or the KDE stuff that I want to do. I was also able to analyze how I spent, or rather, procrastinated, my time each day and where the time all goes (IRC and RSS… I love you and hate you at the same time.). Hopefully that realization would help me spend my time better in the future. Hopefully…
But for now, it’s back to the connected and distracted life. 
Just some small updates, while I'm trying to get off my ass and migrate the site completely to Textpattern.
May 17th, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Warn first next time! During somebody’s absence in IRC, I heard this: “if somebody is off IRC for a week without warning, he probably got hit by a train”.
May 17th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
Hehe yeah, that’s one lesson I learned this time. In the past, I gave ample warning when I’d disappear, mostly because those happened after some very stressful events. This time though I just presumed that nobody would notice or mind that I’m gone. I mean, it’s just Jucato.
Apparently, some people missed me and were worried. Imagine that!
May 18th, 2008 at 1:27 am
I did that one…for a week. I went without Internet, computers, television etc. I had a similar experience.
May 18th, 2008 at 1:57 am
I’ll be away from the internet life for a full month in July/August, in order to go on an abroad trip with a friend.
I don’t want to imagine the mails that are going to aggregate during that time, but hey, I can still delete them all and pretend I never received them
No really, the most important lesson that my father tought me on this matter is
“It’s not that important.”
You and I might have the impression that the community has a significant loss if we leave (for a limited time only, or altogether) but in reality the community will be just fine. Sometimes I manage to remember that fact.
May 20th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
Many (insert religion here) monasteries offer free or cheap retreats for exactly this reason. Some offer individual, private, at your own pace/do your own thing retreats too. I recommend this even if you are not religious, and please note I’m not suggesting any particular religion. Some of these places are far removed from typical civilization, and often they ban electronic devices (though many now allow cell phones, even many of the monastics use them).
Just as one would often seek another or others to exercise with for encouragement and support, so too are temples pools of wonder for the over-taxed person.
Avoid small centers or loose knit gatherings, go to the religious establishments with a history in the area, and a serious commitment to offering a space of peace.
May 21st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
having a retreat and searching for yourself is really a great experience.. i’ve done that before but with some friends.. it was only that time that i get to see the meaning of peace of mind!
God Bless!
May 22nd, 2008 at 9:06 am
Hey, thanks for the tips and suggestions!
@Jakob: Have fun on your trip! Would be nice to really get away like that. And you’re father’s a very wise man.
(besides, I’m lucky not to be that essential to the free software communities yet. If aseigo were to drop off suddenly, that would be a different matter :P)
I’m looking into those “affordable” retreat houses near the mountains. Money isn’t actually the problem, but time. My situation at home doesn’t allow me to leave home that long. The longest is probably overnight, so that wouldn’t give me much time to relax and reflect. But I’ll see what I can do in the future.
In the meantime… Happy Hacking!
May 25th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Um did my comment appear?
May 25th, 2008 at 8:15 am
“It was a great experience. I wish I could have spent a few days in a some sort of nature retreat like a forest or mountain (not the beach :P).”
Ayun hindi nag appear comment, anyway, what I said was maybe I could offer you our resort for an outing. For free and maybe we could turn that into a business meeting.
May 26th, 2008 at 1:16 am
You should have joined http://www.shutdownday.org/
June 4th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Jucato, greetings, it seems like you have been busy lately. I would like to show you a business proposal. If you are interested please contact me at my blog. Urgent. Thanks!
June 6th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Oh well I guess you disappeared again. Bro, I really hope I could contact you. I am planning something new. All you have to invest is your time and of course expertise.