Going Walden

Every morning the first thing I do is connect with the virtual world. I check texts and voice mail to see if there is anything I need to respond to right away. Then I get online and twitter, respond to comments, friend requests and what others are talking about on facebook, and then I check my email accounts (yes, I have more than one). I’ve noticed that it generally takes me over two hours to get all this done.

After having had the past six weeks or so off for personal and family matters and the holidays, I’m preparing myself to get back in the swing of things and I’ve decided enough is enough.

I’m going Walden.

Taking a page from Thoreau, I am no longer going to “connect” the first thing in my day. I want to write. Delaying getting to what my heart desires is not a good thing. Emails, facebook and twitter will wait for me. I can check them on my own time, not because I’ve been “summoned” by the clicks, dings and vibrations emitted from my electronic devices telling me my attention is needed. It’s not.

While keeping in touch, connected and communicating with the world is important, it’s not what moves me forward. Writing does, and for me to delay my work every morning for virtual communicating seems crazy. After two hours of checking all that stuff I needed a break from being on the computer so that I did not get to my manuscript until close to lunch time.

I’m taking back control of my life, and New Year’s Eve seems like a good day to do so.

Here’s to an amazing, successful and most of all HAPPY 2012!