Hello, My name is Jessica, and I'm an Internetaholic...

I’ve mentioned over and over my struggle with disconnecting. Removing myself, if only for a few moments, from the online world and allowing myself to experience the world that’s actually around me — instead of viewing the world from my iPhone portal.

In a lot of ways I think it’s been a defensive mechanism to moving across the country (and dealing with life in general). It keeps me constantly preoccupied with a constant stimulus. Moves me from one thing to the next at rapid speeds as fast as 3G will take me.

It’s unhealthy, I’ll admit that. Obvi.  And when I was talking to a friend (like actually IRL talking) earlier this week about wanting to wane down on the Interweb scene, he pointed something I never thought about before. By moving on from one thing to the next  it keeps me away from processing any information (I suppose it’s not surprising I didn’t think of that, since I never disconnect/put my dang phone down). I never give myself the opportunity to feel, and no, there isn’t an app for that.

I’m missing out on speaking verbally to friends and family. Missing out on the interesting quirks of people on the subway, or reading funny signs along my way to work. Missing out on what makes life fun. Missing those things that I used to love.

But there’s more than that. Being online/connected all the time makes me bo-ring. Like seriously, bo-ring. Work…tweetups/social media events…sleep rest…work…tweetups/social media events…rest…. on and on and on. A total Internetaholic.

I don’t want that (the Internet/social media/yadda yadda) to be all that there is to me. I like an array of activities, and living in New York City is the prime opportunity to try some new activities out. So I logged on to MeetUp.com (step 1 of my 12 step program) and took a few minutes to think about things that I really enjoy.

The city in which I live where there are lots of things to do, and such.

So here are some of the things I enjoy, some I’m keeping a secret because you’d realize what a geek I am (Star Wars group I may or may not have joined or the LARPing group), and some because they’re random, and some are yet to be discovered.

1. Writing. I absolutely love writing. So, I signed up for a women’s creative writing group. Looks kinda culty, but I back that.
2. Dancing. I had an incredible salsa partner in Seattle, so I sought out a new one. Soooo excited.
3. Yoga to the People. Donation based yoga studio = major win.
4. Volunteering. There a few organizations that totally have my heart, and I’m looking forward to being a part of them here in NYC.
5. Alpha Xi Delta. Admittedly, I was in a sorority in college, and sat on the alumnae board in Seattle. Looking forward to meeting the New York Chapter here.
6. Vegetarian Cooking classes/dinner parties. Ultimate win.

After making the list, I felt a little relief. I felt a little more like the real me. The Jessica that does things, and connects to different sorts of people. A go-getter, a mover and a shaker.

So wish me luck as a shake on, and please let me know if there are activities you think I should check out.