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Spending too much time here

(46 Posts)
NonGrannyMoll Fri 24-Jan-25 14:31:46

Does anyone else feel that they're spending far too much time on this and/or other social media websites? It's compulsive. Every time I turn the computer on to do something I really NEED to do, I end up either playing Bubble Shooter, doing an online jigsaw or checking GN. I used to think I was quite single-mindedly efficient. Now, it can get to 2.30pm and I realise I haven't even taken the laundry out of the machine yet. Is this yet another thing that old age does to us?

Kandinsky Fri 24-Jan-25 15:50:55

Plus I don’t like to post too much because I’m really unpopular.
True.

sharon103 Fri 24-Jan-25 15:59:17

I'm sitting here when there's housework I could be getting on with.
GN is addictive isn't it. smile
I only browse Facebook now and again.

madeleine45 Fri 24-Jan-25 16:30:31

Oh no I do not feel I am on here too much. It is a much more positive thing for me. As I am often up in the middle of the night or 5am etc because I am in a lot of pain, it is a very therapeutic thing for me. I had to leave my house and come and live in a downstairs flat. But in my own house it was disturbing no one if I got cramp and went ooh and ah etc . I could walk around and put the radio on or sing some song (quietly), go and make a drink or whatever and go out into the garden on summer nights which helped with the pain and distracted me from it.
Here out of consideration for the neighbours I cant do any of that and so there are many times when I am feeling really miserable but I can come on here . It makes such a difference. I enjoy reading all your posts, learn lots of new things , laugh at fun things like gussets in pants, and have my share of rants about morons like Donald Trump etc. Of course I understand that many of you may look at my screeds and sign and scroll on, but as with the last few days when I was feeling quite devastated about the unexpected cataracts, which i was totally shaken by, . sitting here alone and it was very dark and too early to think of ringing my friend, it was so good to be able to write on here and to get such kind thoughts and care from you all. No, you are a good part in my days now and I am glad to be part of it. i look at a few other bits but mostly gransnet, look up things like price comparison etc,but I am a great reader and love my music and so radio 3 and 4 , J S Bach every morning, opera , driving in the beautiful countryside, singing and sailing . Used to be a good walker so now have to be content with just driving but no I do lots of other things. May you all enjoy being part of this group. I hope you are all safe today, we have wild winds and tiles off the roof so far but ok

keepingquiet Fri 24-Jan-25 16:39:57

I used to feel guilty about wasting time on-line. Early mornings and evenings are my busy on-line times, not so much in the daytime.

Now I consider it a necessary stress reliever, especially playing the NYT games on my phone- which are very quick to play.

I do wish I could cut out the Youtube videos at bed-time though, they're a killer when I really should just go to bed and read...

Babs03 Fri 24-Jan-25 17:03:25

Apart from this I just do online scrabble and WhatsApp with close family.
I still prefer to read.

Babs03 Fri 24-Jan-25 17:06:49

Kandinsky

Plus I don’t like to post too much because I’m really unpopular.
True.

Well for what it’s worth I have posted comments that seem to rub Gransnetters up the wrong way, then see a similar comment that goes by without causing as much as a ripple.
So you and me both on occasion Kandinsky.
Though I have met some lovely people on here too.
😀

Allira Fri 24-Jan-25 17:16:02

It's like a Black Hole.
Or Portmeirion Village 😁
Swallows you up and there's no escape.

Kandinsky Fri 24-Jan-25 17:31:02

Haha Babs03

To be fair, I didn’t join GN to be popular or over friendly with anyone - think I’ve managed to pull it off 😂
But back to the thread question.
I find when I spend too much time on here I get over invested in one or two threads and they start to annoy me. Which is ridiculous because I don’t ‘know’ anyone on here, so getting wound up by strangers is something I can easily avoid - I don’t have to read or post on any thread.
But I do agree, there are some lovely people on here & I’ve had some really nice PM’s over the years.

M0nica Fri 24-Jan-25 17:33:19

I am rationing myself to three times a day. GN is my only social media apart from a daily check on Facebook.

Calendargirl Fri 24-Jan-25 17:38:46

I’m glad you find GN a comfort madeleine

Sometimes it’s good to ‘chat’ with people you don’t know to share everyday worries and concerns, and find you’re not alone with them (the worries etc).

GrannySomerset Fri 24-Jan-25 17:39:05

The U3A book group I started in February 2000 is still going strong. We read nine books a year and aim to include a biography, a Victorian novel (for me) and some travel writing. Over the years we have read so much together and will be discussing Antonia Byatt’s “Possession” next week. I didn’t like it when I read it thirty years ago and I still find it pretentious and show off, but with luck the discussion will modify my view. FGT I thought “The Whalebone Theatre” over rated but that it would make a good film.

Casdon Fri 24-Jan-25 17:47:31

It’s a relaxing coffee time pursuit to be on Gransnet, I like having discussions about a variety of things for a few minutes at a time when I’m taking a break from doing other things. As long as I get everything else done too I’m fine with it.

woodenspoon Fri 24-Jan-25 19:02:12

I dip in and out depending on what I’m doing. Probably less in the spring summer and autumn, more in these winter months. I read threads that interest me and do respond on some. Some I have to really ignore because they are worded in such a way to antagonise other posters. It’s easy to be hooked into those but I try hard to stay out. Others I do feel compelled to put my point of view.
I don’t use Facebook or any other social media. I found Gransnet through searching for advice on a medical issue strangely enough.
Once the weather picks up, I’m unlikely to be on much at all.

David49 Fri 24-Jan-25 19:11:30

Ive had a few days off the controversial threads, so many were getting angry and I didnt want to add to the tension. It depends what I’m doing on any day, morning, noon and evening is usual, half an hour each.

Charleygirl5 Fri 24-Jan-25 19:28:11

I am also addicted. I started many years ago because somebody wanted advice, and I could help by having a fair bit of knowledge on the subject from an ex-professional point of view.

I have met face to face a few really nice people and we have coffee regularly. I email two others regularly because they live on the other side of the country.

I also enjoy the chats on the knee and hip thread. Everybody is so pleasant and with a sense of humour.

Desdemona Fri 24-Jan-25 19:53:09

Nobody should leave, the more contributions to posts on here the better smile

Homestead62 Sat 25-Jan-25 02:54:33

I had been a member previously but had a horrible experience and left for a few years. I've recently returned and will see how things go. I've decided to look here once per day as like others felt this was a real time sucker. I do need to get other things done.

nanna8 Sat 25-Jan-25 04:12:39

Our bookgroup has Old God’s Time by Sebastian Barry this month. He can write, that bloke, though this one makes you cry, it is sad.

HousePlantQueen Mon 27-Jan-25 14:01:06

Allira

I have to look at my emails, FB and do three word puzzles before I can usually start something productive. Although I can manage to start the washing machine beforehand.

As I'm not a morning person this suits me fine; getting up at 6.45 am and rushing around making packed lunches, breakfasts, children off to school, myself ready for work was done on auto-pilot. Ok as long as no-one asked a question such as "where's my gym kit" or "I've got Home Ec today and forgot to get my ingredients ready".

Oh, the bliss of Wordle now 😁

I love my relaxed mornings, after years of commuting, getting children to school, teenagers out of bed etc. Now I have a leisurely breakfast, today it was porridge with oat milk, yoghurt, fresh fruit, and coffee, and my day doesn't start until I have completed Wordle. This to me at least, is the joy of retirement.

Norah Mon 27-Jan-25 14:33:59

For me it's all the dog walking, beginning very early and ending late. My husband and I are early morning people. GN is my only SM. Daily I do read and respond to emails and I read The Economist, but that's not SM is it?