You can just see Didi poking out from behind my laptop, watching me work

I’m back after a week offline. Although I was fasting the internet for a specific reason I learnt a few things along the way. Firstly, I actually enjoyed the week a lot more than I expected to. When I’m feeling to ill to do anything much of value, Twitter and Facebook are my go-to. With that option closed off I found that I spent a lot more thinking creatively, I now have a whole buffet of ideas for this blog in the coming weeks.

I also sent a lot more texts. I am notoriously bad for never answering my phone and taking ages to reply to texts. Without Twitter to fill those times when you’re waiting for someone to arrive or waiting for dinner, I decided not only reply to texts but actually even initiate text conversations. 

I read a lot more. I spend quite a lot of time reading blogs and watching TV online, but with long blocks of time in bed without these two comforts, I turned to books. I read every night before bed, but for the last week I’ve read a lot more. I even finished one book within a couple of days. 

Most importantly, I prayed more. That was one of the main reasons for my fast, and it worked. Every time I felt myself reach for my phone or iPad, I began talking to the man upstairs. This is one change I’d like to continue now that the fast is over. I am sure in years to come I’ll be much more grateful for time spent in prayer, than I am for time spent reading tweets.

I’m not the only one that feels they have benefited from their time offline. P, who did the fast with me, said that this week really opened his eyes to quite how many times he must use the internet a day. I love my husband, I really do, he has many, many great points, but if I had one gripe with him, it would be that he spends far too much time on Twitter and BBC sport. He has promised that he’ll change this now that our fast is over. That’s something I’ll be holding him to.

Although I would never go offline completely, I’m a blogger for goodness sake, I will be watching my internet habits a lot more from now on. I also think it’d be good to challenge myself to an internet fast a least four times a year, to make sure I don’t just slip back into my old ways.

Looking to the future now, it’s pancake day next Tuesday, which means lent is only a few days away- on to the next challenge!

Love Katie x

Posted by Katie Bennett-Davies in Home life Tags: Ash Wednesday, bad habits, BBC sport, blog, books, challenge, Christian, Christian life, Christianity, Facebook, faith, fasting, God, iPad, Jacob week, lent, lessons, my week offline, my week without internet, online, Online and offline, Online Communities, P, pancake day, prayer, productivity, reading, self development, shrove Tuesday, Social network, spirituality, television, Twitter, websites, week, YouTube