For several years, I have made the New Year’s resolution to make my Sundays Internet-free. That means I cut off any connection with the Internet, be it email, websites or videos. It does not include phone calls or text messages. This Internet fast allows me to dedicate my Sunday to other things.
It is not easy to break with the frenetic intemperance of always being connected. People expect you to answer things right away. We also have the illusion that we are so important that the world needs to be linked to us at all times. I have found the world turns just the same with or without my connection.
Internet fasting is a good habit that takes some time to learn. However, based on my experience, I will renew the resolution in 2025.
There are four reasons why I will be renewing my yearlong fast.
It Is Doable
The first reason is that it is doable. It is not something outrageous like a total and complex system of disconnection.
Most people need an Internet connection during the week to survive in our postmodern world. Their jobs require being online, so a total cutoff is impossible and inadvisable. We must not put ourselves inside a fantasy bubble and abandon the real world. We need some contact.
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However, most people have the weekend off when they do not need to sustain themselves via an online connection. By allowing a whole day of rest from the fast pace of the Internet, we can dedicate ourselves to other more useful pursuits.
The Sunday fast is just enough time to be outside the web. It allows us time to slow down, ponder and digest the information glut we face. I know it is doable because I have done it without major problems for over five years.
It Is Formative
The second reason why I will renew the resolution is because it is formative. I find the Internet fast helps build character.
I must admit that the constant use of the Internet tends to favor the bad sides of our nature. When everything is presented to us instantly, we give in to the intemperance of gratification. The dopamine rush manages to overcome all resistance to distractions.
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Thus, I was frustrated by how the Internet can consume countless hours, especially on those days, like Sunday, when I have more free time.
For this reason, the Sunday Internet fast is a perfect fit. It ties down my resolution to a day when everyone can put the Internet aside. It forms character by setting limits on desires. It forces me to say No! and abide by self-set rules. It makes it easier to deny other small pleasures.
It Is Enriching
Another reason why I will be renewing my pledge is that it is enriching.
I know there will always be a slot in my week when I can be offline. I can do those things people used to do when the pace of life was slower and more pondered.
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That means reading books, studying topics of interest and writing. It could also mean having conversations in which you look people in the eye rather than staring at the omnipresent screen. Sunday is a time for leisure, a deliberate effort to rest, ponder and enjoy the higher things of life.
So often, these things are no longer options. A web-free Sunday is a good start to returning to leisure, which is the foundation of culture.
It Is Proper
Finally, I will renew my resolution because it is the proper thing to do. Sunday is the Lord’s Day. The day is His, not mine. It is proper that I dedicate the day to the more spiritual pursuits that are part of our nature. It is proper that I direct my attention to God, my Creator.
With my Internet fast, I can have free time to pray and meditate. I can occupy my thoughts with heavenly considerations—to contemplate the true meaning of life. It makes everything calmer and uncluttered, like Sunday should be.
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It is also proper because God designated Sunday to be a day of rest for our benefit. We should use this day to reflect, rest and regenerate ourselves for the week ahead. Even better is to spend this day of rest together with other people by visiting and conversing.
Of course, this one resolution is limited; it will not completely change your life. However, it is a step in the right direction. It helps a person slow down and consider the important things in life. It is my contribution to helping change our culture for the better.
It is something practical that anyone can do. I can attest to the fact that it helps address the frustrations of Internet slavery. For those looking for a New Year’s resolution, try this one.
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