A question...

[Mily]

All right, I have been told that I could have an addiction to the computer, mainly the roleplaying and I'm not arguing with that, but I am trying to limit myself more.

Anyway, my question is if any of you have ever been told this or realized you are addicted. I'm just curious because I have an idea on how to handle it and I'm wondering what you did or would have done or are going to do.

I'm sorry if this offends anyone if it does just don't answer, or disregard this post altogether.

[Michaelangelo]

I've been told this before, because I spend so much time on here...

Though really I don't find harm to it because I'm not hurting anyone or anything by being on here.  Really it's my release from the trouble of the real world.  

I'd understand trying to fix an addition where you're hurting people.  But if it's something that's not hurting anyone, I never would try to change who I am.  Life is short, live it and enjoy it.  Just don't hurt anyone while doing so.

[Mily]

Thanks, I hope to talk to you and Fae soon, but those are good reasons,

[moronqueen]

I've been told that, too...ya need to find a balance...once it starts hurting relationships, work, school or anything else, it does become harmful, and it's time to cut back.

[Eclipse]

The same thing that Mikey said goes for me too.

However, moronqueen DOES have a most EXCELLENT point.

[Danceingfae]

Those are all good points and here's my little addition in to it. As long as you remember the computer (roleplaying or whatever) is not real and you don't let it take over your life and the real people you have relationships with, enjoy it.

As for calling it an addiction, i guess it depends on a person's point of view on what they view as too much, it will differ from others. (and i just tired to drink from my lotion bottle instead of water bottle, gah!) If you feel you have a problem, defnately talk to a friend and see what they would suggest (if we're not helping you here that is )

Take it easy Mily, i'll chat with you in a bit

[OnnaRaphael]

I'll freely admit I'm addicted to the internet, but the way I see it if it starts hurting anyone my boyfriend (who I live with) will be the first to point it out to me.  Lately I have been trying to cut back just a tad since I realized that I've chosen the internet over my cleaning, doing dishes, decorating the Christmas tree (it took me four days to do that), etc.  I'm going to have to seriously start limiting myself soon since I need to start making candies for Christmas and I can't let myself put that off!  I need to decorate the house too...

Oddly enough I didn't start my internet addiction until I got heavily into the Ninja Turtles Guild on Gaia.

[Brinatello]

The addiction has slightly turned off with me.  I stopped writing fics, I don't draw anymore, I hardly chat in AIM, and I haven't checked eBay for TMNT items in ages.  All I pretty much do is read up on new topics/posts and check my email.  I'm so bad, I haven't responded to a girl's email who said she couldn't sign my web site's guestbook.  I've been hurt too much with people I thought I trusted, and I guess it's affected my online time...and my interests...  

[Michaelangelo]

Oh Brin, I'm sorry that you're letting it effect you.  You know I've been through a shell of a lot, growing up.  So I know what you mean about being hurt by those you've trusted.  Though I highly recommend not closing people out in your life because of it.  Not everyone is going to hurt you.  And if you close yourself out, you may miss out on those real friends that are waiting to meet you.

[Mily]

Well... what Brin said..., that's what has sort of been happening to me, I kinda stopped writing my own fanfics, and doing digital art..., I was just kinda getting worried, and yes it does depend on the other person's point of view. I don't see this as a really bad addiction but it still is one, and I don't wanna be tied down. But I don't want to stop altogether, not right away anyway.

One thing I do see happening is me going on less if I meet someone, like, get a boyfriend. I just see roleplaying as having fun, I don't wanna see it as something bad. Because it isn't supposed to be,

[Brinatello]

Oh Brin, I'm sorry that you're letting it effect you.  You know I've been through a shell of a lot, growing up.  So I know what you mean about being hurt by those you've trusted.  Though I highly recommend not closing people out in your life because of it.  Not everyone is going to hurt you.  And if you close yourself out, you may miss out on those real friends that are waiting to meet you.

Thanks so much, I really appreciate that.  It just sometimes feel like a huge blockage to creativity has happened and I can't seem to get it back.  I don't know if it comes with age or what.  To be quite honest, I miss drawing, writing, and chatting online.  There's just something that's keeping me from wanting to do it.  Maybe time, feeling as if I never have enough of it.  Or maybe, and I thought about this strongly...the way my computer currently is.  I have none of my original files on here; they're all on discs.  I can't install Front Page 98 or CorelDRAW Photo Paint 8 because the computer runs too slow as it is.  Those two programs helped me create my web site and fan art.  Without them on here, it's more difficult to do what I used to do.

[Donatello]

Aye.. I stand with HLM and Onna when they said that being too addicted to the internet life is not good either.  Especially when things in the real life end up going to shambles because of it... dishes/laundry not getting washed, dinner being late... or made really sloppy (if not burnt), the pet not getting fresh water or being forgotten to get fed, etc...

My hubby really chewed me out for this a few times before.  But he had a good point.  I have free access to the net all day at work, from 8-5, M-F.  So it would be fair to him to call it quits after work and give him some of that attention at the end of the day too.  

Unfortuantely, being split between two fandoms for awhile also burns out the interest level.  I get tired/bitter of the craziness in the fandoms, and suddenly wanted to cut back to settle on a couple places where everyone from everywhere can congregate.  (like LJ, DA, and my email box)  It gets to be really tiring having to chase down all these different online forums just to keep tabs, especially when I have limited time.  Ugh.

Of course... having a busy RL also affects how much time one spends online... and those who don't have much to do in RL are the ones who can spend more time online.  I know come March of next year... I'll be "poof - gone!" for a few months after, when I have my baby.  That would not be a good thing to have on my conscience, if I paid the internet more attention than the baby!