creeping MSE itis

GreyQueen

I'm another early riser and tend to potter around on a few websites, mainly newspapers and MSE, whilst drinking tea and having breakfast, then I go to work. Most evenings, I have the pooter on for a few hours, too.

I might have the MSE forums open on my browser and be dipping in and out of the threads between doing other things, such as reading (am on my 90th book of 2015 atm), chatting to friends/ family in person, knitting or chores. Last night, I was 'on' MSE, if you were looking at my little green dot, whilst actually watching a DVD movie.

I joined MSE at a low point, when my mother was being treated for cancer. I have found the quality of the people you 'meet' here to be exceptional; warm, kind, sharing, knowledgeable and laugh-out-loud humourous.:beer:

I certainly value the time I spend here and don't feel it is a waste. I don't use FB or hang out on other forums, so I treat my internet connection as a substitute for the newspapers and magazines I don't buy and the TV I don't watch - lots of entertainment found here.

From reading the comments above, a lot of us seem to lack connections in real life with people of the OS persuasion. We're probably a minority group in the general population. I can't find a lot of common ground with some of my colleagues whose greatest interest is personal adornment or sports, f'rinstance!

It's not that we're billy-no-mates who never get out, or don't have anything interesting to do with our time, it's that what we get here has value to us.

TiredTrophy

I forgot to say how pleasant to have you posting on old style kittie...I hunted you down on another thread!:D

I used to read debt free diaries when i first discovered MSE but they are no longer relevant to us ....old style is very me!

I hope you all have a pleasant day , on and off the boards...I am off for a cycle ride before it rains....

[Deleted User]

Very sweet comments, thank you TT. My life has changed drastically and all of a sudden but that`s life and I either go with the flow of my life or sink. So I have chosen to fly and have reached out to new hobbies and groups. The internet was just making me stay at home and tbh there is no sub for a real hug from friends

Coffee break time now, having real coffee these days too, just one a day. Am working somewhere between flylady and kinmarie and am making myself put the lid down on my laptop so I can get on with things I need to do. 9.30 and I have cleaned my bedroom, en suite, landing and stairs, ironed a full load from a week away on my new hobby, thought about what to have for meals today and thought about enjoyments today, none of which should be hampered by me being on the (for me) time wasting computer

I love reading all your views and really do understand different ways of coping with life and understand that this may well mean being an MSEer. The tips on here are brilliant and I know it is so so hard for many, not brought up the make do and mend way, to gain knowledge on how to do things to help live happily

Maybe I`ll spin this afternoon, maybe I`ll carve my cartoon woman, maybe I`ll look up `how to draw` classes and I want to learn to fish. So much to do

Off now, coffee break finished, kitchen to tidy

Goldiegirl

I still spend some time on MSE each day, but I have stepped back quite a bit.

I realised that I always sitting in front of the computer or had my nose in my iPad, and was missing out on things happening around me.

I've found lots on inspiration on MSE, and I know I can ask a question on ANY subject, and get some help. There's also a lot of people that I 'know', and like to keep up to date with their activities.

But, generally, I'm only on here for about 15 minutes at a time, maybe a couple of times a day, rather than hours at a time. I've found it much better, and I'm finding more time for other activities.

Nargleblast

I agree with Goldiegirl, it is important to not to let yourself waste hours in a virtual world when there is so much out in the real world to experience. I work long shifts, so on those days my MSE time is limited to maybe an hour in the evening. When I am not at work I might spend 20 minutes or so online in the .morning whilst having a cup of tea in bed, then maybe a couple of hours in the evening. Occasionally I will go a day or two without accessing t'internet at all. I don't stay online until stupid o clock because I value my sleep!

I have been on MSE over six years now, and have learnt so much. People at work think I am odd for taking my own food in for lunch instead of going to the canteen, and even those who bring food in from home tend to bring in processed ready meals. I feel much happier sharing good news with virtual friends on here than in doing all that Twitfacebook stuff!

Lynplatinum

Hi All

Jackie O and GQ - you have definitely put up tips that have helped me!! and others!!
We all seem to have an active 'off net' life as well as being MSErs. OS and MSE is a different way of thinking about the world - especially the MM&M and NBI threads - they work against the endless tide of consumerist propaganda out there. On here you find support and like minds - how can expanding your knowledge and friendship circles be a waste of time??? So long as one also has a healthy 'real' life? Why cant we enjoy both and get the balance that suits each individual circumstances? Peace all! (Yep I m just an old Hippie really LOL

ginnyknit

Hi Kittie :hello: I really have learned a lot on MSE and met lots of lovely people and made some lifelong friends but have started limiting my time on forums a lot more of late. Its easy to sit here reading and commenting but it does creep up if you are not careful. Like many have said its got me through some tough days and sleepless nights though and I will be ever grateful for that :T

Caterina

I love the OS forum and have rarely, if ever, felt it a waste of time. However I have been on other areas of MSE where I found aggressive, insensitive and unpleasant people.

The Praise and Vent thread is horrendous! On one occasion I had to ask the moderators to intervene, the only time in 12years of being on MSE.

I lurk a lot then have spurts of posting, then lurk again, but don't consider it a waste of time, because of the wealth of information to be found here. And I have made lots of friends too, virtual and in person *wave to Meanmarie and Ginnyknit and all the others OSers met in our meetings around the country*!

[Deleted User]

coffee time again and a bit of os browsing. Limiting my mse time is most def working, I agree with above posters who said that it creeps up. Strangely I have been sleeping a whole lot better at night, 8 good hours last night.

Of course I agree re lots of valuable good stuff on mse but even on the os board far too much negativity and `what ifs`, so important to live in the moment, having taken the obvious basic precautions of a safety net. Also please don`t say that we are all of the same persuasion, we aren`t, I have some views which would be shot down,so I don`t publicly disagree with certain posters, I just keep my mouth shut, same as happens in real life amongst groups of people. Harmony comes first, life is too short for spats and we are all different

Cleaning the floor in a mo, have already filled and repaired some wood on a door frame. I make a list most days, not a `difficult to do` list but it gets me focused and I always make sure that pm is for rest and/or hobbies. I often put quick meal ideas on the list, it ensures I eat properly. Must be working because I am still dynamic and energetic but I always listen to what my body tells me. If it says rest, then I rest

Back tomorrow, maybe :wave:

mardatha

I don't waste time being introspective, I spent years doing that agonising bit when I was younger. Now I'm retired ( and just tired lol) if I want to sit on forums all day then I do it. If I want to knit or read, then I do it. No stress here lol