The Cubicle Times

CUBICLE – Just the other day I was talking to my wife about how I am struggling at work, and she reminded me of something so obvious to others but me! That’s right, Gmail addiction! I wake up having to check it; turn on my computer at work to check it first thing in the morning; pause a bit at work periodically to check it; sign on in the afternoon to see who’s online so I can chat while checking Emails; go home checking it a few more times! OH MY GOODNESS, I DO HAVE AN ADDICTION ON GMAIL!!! *I had this addiction on my iPhone just a few months ago*

So I told myself, this is it! I am going to be a new man, and I am going to quit Gmail at work! I started on Thursday, only to find myself having “withdrawal” symptoms.  I would still pause while doing work stuff and then go to my Firefox, hoping to check Email, but only to find out that I didn’t have Gmail open.   Seriously, every now and then I would just unconsciously want to do that! Well, I gave in a few times to check my Email on the iPhone, but reminded myself not to reply to any of them! The second day, Friday, was easier, but I did find myself going back to my Firefox periodically.

Oftentimes people with smoking or drug addiction know they are addicted, maybe because they know it’s bad and are conscious about it.  For those who are so hooked on these technological advancements over the last 10 years, including social networking (FB, Twitter, MySpace, etc), Internet (news, Email, stocks), and other toys (smart phones, game consoles, etc.), easily do we get sucked in and not notice that we’re also addicted to them! One major reason is that we are not taught that they’re “bad” like cigarette, alcohol, or drugs! Since they’re not “bad”, it’s OK that we spend time on them to “stay connected.”

OK, it’s been two days since I’ve quit using Gmail at work, and I certainly hope to continue this fight! Again, it’s not because Gmail is bad, but because I’ve lost control over myself to it~ Remind me once a while, though, because I know Gmail is just 5 letters + “.com” away~~