While this was certainly not a manic episode I did go through a period where I threw out or sold many of my possessions. I decided to leave all my electronic items at work. This included my laptop, netbook, computer monitor and various other gadget doohickeys from a lifetime of impulsive Thinkgeek shopping. Now I have a cluttered desk at the office and virtually nothing at home. But not having a computer at home has been incredibly liberating. Four weeks ago I lost my smartphone and seeing as how I don't have a computer at home I couldn't check my emails, my messages or log into Skype. All I had was an old iPod shuffle filled with Melanie Safka songs. Those few days without my phone and without any way to connect to the internet were the two greatest days of this year. I read comics from the comic book store, took a walk around the city and at night when the city noise gets too much, I put on my little earphones and listen to Melanie on my iPod.
I eventually got my phone back thanks to a honest taxi driver and on occasion, I've simply left it at work choosing instead to go home with only my trusty iPod.
I haven't done this in the past two weeks and think I'm about overdue. As for Hacker News as a distraction, I love this infinitely useful HN newsletter[1] by Kale (@duck). Avoid HN for the week and dedicate one day of the week to just reading through the stories posted in the newsletter. I've noticed I tend to pay more attention to the posts and there's less chance of me making impulsive comments.
I spend a lot of time at my desk but being a small office, my co-workers tend to use my desk if/when I'm not present. I simply don't have as much control over my office environment to put effort into keeping it clean and pristine. It is what it is and so I'd rather focus on the environment that is within my control. At least that's how I've come to rationalize it.
I eventually got my phone back thanks to a honest taxi driver and on occasion, I've simply left it at work choosing instead to go home with only my trusty iPod.
I haven't done this in the past two weeks and think I'm about overdue. As for Hacker News as a distraction, I love this infinitely useful HN newsletter[1] by Kale (@duck). Avoid HN for the week and dedicate one day of the week to just reading through the stories posted in the newsletter. I've noticed I tend to pay more attention to the posts and there's less chance of me making impulsive comments.
[1] http://www.hackernewsletter.com/