Quitting is easier than I think

I'm taking on the task of detaching myself from the internet. I had been doing so since last Tuesday when I saw a friend's Facebook posting saying she would be off from Facebook for a month.

Let me first mention that I'm basically addicted to the internet since my college years. Nowadays, I use email, Facebook, check news on Google news and Yahoo! I also shop online too much. I found that I had been too attached to my hand-held devices, and the ability to get online anytime, anywhere is too distracting for my work and life. Quitting the internet for me is difficult, like quitting any other kinds of addictions such as coffee, it may result to a nasty headache or other ailment.

However, I'm happy to report not only that I survived this challenge, I found the experience liberating and I truly believe I can continue to do it and improve my lifestyle.

First I wrote down my resolve:
No internet usage except for urgent emails and anything work related.
Duration:
Start with 1 week.
How is it done?
What is not allowed:
1) No blogging or reading blogs including no reading my own blog, which I do a lot.
2) Minimal email, only check and respond to urgent ones.
3) Absolutely no Facebook or wechat.
4) Absolutely no reading news from the internet.
5) No reading with ebook (this will lessen the temptation to do other stuff online.)
6) Absolutely no online shopping.

What is allowed:
1) Reading real/physical books, papers or magazines.
2) Writing notes on physical notebook.
3) Can use iphone for the following:
    - as a clock, alarm or timer;
    - listen to music from iTunes or radio;
    - calendar, notifications (should use calendar book if possible)
    - spending application
    - phone calls
4) Use the phone to call people instead of using email. Meeting with friends in person instead of using social network apps.
5) OK to check bank account information online to make sure it's balanced, but should keep to minimum usage.
6) Can access the internet and use email for work related tasks.

What to do instead:
- stretch, yoga, pranayama, meditate
- play with dogs
- walk/exercise
- pick up the house, cook, etc
- write notes down
- watch news on TV, watch movies
- think, and hang out with friends

I feel like I'm sealing up the leakage of energy this way. It helps stop my mind from wondering, so that I'm not being obsessed by news or anything else flowing on the "net", and stop news from chew me up emotionally. I had so much more time to spare and do the right things with it. Hack I'm sealing up my wallet too!

Now, back to la la land.