How to survive without Internet access

[Nebulous]

How do you get by when you can't go online?
No emailing, no Wikipedia binges, no online music, no INTPf, etc.

If you've never been in this situation, think of it hypothetically.

What would you do?

I need to make a survival guide for myself. If it helps out anyone else, that's great.


I find myself in this horrible state of Internet deprivation way too often thanks to my parents. I've learned to prepare ahead of time for any long spells of it (winter break, summer vacation, being grounded) and I want to really start doing that now.
The hardest parts of having no internet would be not being to communicate with anyone, not being able to keep up with fandom stuff, and not being able to listen to music.

The isolation really really sucks. Yeah, I'm an introvert, but sitting in the darkness of your room, introspecting so much that a black hole forms in your soul... That isn't good for anybody.
And fandoms are really a huge, important part of my life. Having a new movie come out and not being able to look up fanart to deal with your feels? The worst thing in the world. I'm dead serious, that makes me so freaking miserable.

I have some CDs, so I do have some music, but I'm usually too pissed off to listen to them. I'd much rather be able to choose from the unlimited music online than listen to a CD. Ugh. And I hate the radio, but I'll listen to it if I'm really really desperate.
It would be awesome if I could burn a CD... How could I do that? At a music store maybe?
I also write out the lyrics of songs I like so I can read it and sort of listen to the song in my head.

If there are any charts, photos, or notes I'd want to have I'll print them or write it in a notebook so I have it even when I don't have my iPad.

I daydream a lot, but i have trouble daydreaming outside unless I have music to listen to. And I can't listen to music outside. :/
I like to draw, so I have that, but again I can't really draw without music.

I dunno. What are some things I could do? I'm not going to have Internet access over the summer. Last summer I got really depressed, and I don't want that to happen again.

 

[Sinny91]

Books, physical fitness, work, sex, drink & drugs. Bout the only things to do.

First few days away from the net rather bother me, but then I remember what life was like before the internet, and how to enjoy it.

Although, I am an information whore, I hate not having google access.

I hope you make it through okay. Your parents are horrible, I do something horrible to them if I could.

Exploring can be fun, explore maybe.

 

[Seteleechete]

Daydream, I am thoroughly convinced by now that I can spend years entertaining myself with only my mind. Though I will not claim that it's particularly healthy.

 

[redbaron]

The internet has existed for 25 years of the 200,000+ years humans have existed. I'm fairly sure that not having a privilege that no one had for 99.999875% of existence isn't even that bad.

I dunno. What are some things I could do? I'm not going to have Internet access over the summer. Last summer I got really depressed, and I don't want that to happen again.

Learn to cook (it's pretty easy), talk to people in real life (sounds horrible I know), start jogging and exercising (the most effective and proven method of beating depression and illness), build something in non-minecraft. Take up dancing, learn an instrument, learn a language, play a sport. Borrow a field guide to your local flora and fauna and start cataloguing and learning about them.

 

[Sinny91]

Fucking idiots, the internet has existed for 25 years of the 200,000+ years humans have existed.

HuRr hURr hoW The Fuck Do I liVe WithoUT inTernET mAN?!?!

I've only existed those last 25

HUHUHUHUHUHHHHHURRRRR!


Oh, and Sleep is good. So good it needs to be capitalised.

 

[redbaron]

I've only existed those last 25

At least your age matches your IQ XDDDDD

 

[QuickTwist]

The internet has existed for 25 years of the 200,000+ years humans have existed. I'm fairly sure that not having a privilege that no one had for 99.999875% of existence isn't even that bad.



Learn to cook (it's pretty easy), talk to people in real life (sounds horrible I know), start jogging and exercising (the most effective and proven method of beating depression and illness), build something in non-minecraft. Take up dancing, learn an instrument, learn a language, play a sport. Borrow a field guide to your local flora and fauna and start cataloguing and learning about them.

I would build a computer so I could browse the web with it.

 

[Rook]

I would build a computer so I could browse the web with it.

Then you would have an additional computer not having sweet electronic intercourse with them modems.

If the internet exists no longer, the prepared would have ebooks, musics, wikitaxis and other codemajigs already downloaded.

If computers are no more, imagination, paper and stationary coupled with investment into non-electronic hedonismas will help.
Basically what redbaron listed, with sustenance farming and bush skills as decent additions (Roasting yer grown sweet potatoes on a fire sort of thing).

A library or a decent collection of books would be bliss.

Of course there also other humans, with the right conditioning their company can also be enjoyed in healthy doses.

 

[Grayman]

I often see the absence of electronics as opportunities to read or nature walk. I am not much interested in physical activities.

 

[Fukyo]

What level or authorization do you have on your laptop? Do your parents have parental controls that prevent you from downloading and installing programs?

You can burn audio CDs in Windows if you have a computer with a burner. I tend to assume everyone does (I have a desktop) but not sure if you do. A friend can do this for you.

Spoiler

Look at your CD drive properties in Windows. In Windows click on the "Start" button or Windows logo in the bottom left corner of your screen, then click on "My Computer." Right-click on your CD drive and select "Properties." Look for a "Recording" tab. If the "Recording" tab is present, you have a CD burner installed on your computer.

If not, can you get an mp3 player? There should be cheap options since nobody uses them anymore. Maybe you can get one out of your pocket money(?) Not sure if your father also micromanages what kind of music you listen to but since these don't have internet access they should be safe for you. Something like this Amazon.com: abcGoodefg® 2GB LCD MP3 Player USB Flash Drive Built in FM Radio: Computers & Accessories@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/419y7f1Nv3L.@@AMEPARAM@@419y7f1Nv3L

Downloading movies and tv shows is an obvious answer. Going to the library and picking up some books is another. I'm really not sure how much control your parents exercise over your life, but if you have some friends and money there are a lot of things you can do over the summer to entertain yourself with. Going to cinema, hanging out, sports, conventions for your fandom stuff, beach (if you have access to any), maybe spending some time with animals, picnic, go to nature. Do you have a phone, any phone with gms/data connection? You can do some limited internet browsing that way. It's limited but not dependent on wifi. A lot of "dumb phones" have internet access.

 

[Rook]

Just read the OP -.-

Heh...the mp3 player is a worthy gadget.

Fukyo's suggestion solves many of your qualms, amass a vast collection of downloaded music and dump it unto the player. 8 gig ones are ideal for this, though I guess it depends on the size of your collection.
Daydreaming, anti-vampirism and drawing are thus enabled, while the music rattles on within the confines of your skull.

Recently I have found people who have no idea what a mp3 player is, asking me outright while fondling their touchamascreens.

 

[Brontosaurie]

You sound like you need friends.

 

[EyeSeeCold]

War walking. Internet cafes or restaurants. Mobile hotspot/phone. Public or school libraries.

Either way I would suggest loading up on music you like and just start working out or something like heading to the beach or museums. Who knows you might make a friend.

 

[Absurdity]

The internet sucks a lot where I live right now, but I actually kind of like it. I've read more than I have in years, I get out of the house and see new parts of the city, meet up with friends, etc.

Kind of wish I could shut it off completely, but I have to maintain some level of connectivity for work purposes and buying stuff online when I need it.

 

[Hadoblado]

Download or own music

Download or own books

Download or own movies/series

Have friends

Have projects

Have homework or actual work (get it out of the way while internet's down if you can)

Go outside or to the gym

 

[Nebulous]

You sound like you need friends.

I have friends I'm just never allowed to see them
And I can't talk to them over the summer either ;-;

Last summer I was looking forward to spending lots of time with my BFF but I ended up seeing her twice and one of those times was for a funeral
Then I got in trouble for something, I'm not even sure what, and didn't see her until Christmas.
I've seen her twice since then and we aren't even supposed to email each other at all.

;_________;

 

[Nebulous]

War walking. Internet cafes or restaurants. Mobile hotspot/phone. Public or school libraries.

Either way I would suggest loading up on music you like and just start working out or something like heading to the beach or museums. Who knows you might make a friend.

Huh.
Maybe I'll try to find my old Nitendo DS :P
We don't really go anywhere. We're either at home or at my grandparents' house during the summer.
Oh I see that you said war walking... Hmm. I don't live walking distance from any towns. So I couldn't really walk there to get wifi. But even if I could, I won't have anything to get wifi on. Like no electronic thingies.
I won't have any iPad/ iPhone/ iPod as far as I know.
Maybe I could try to convince my parents to let me get an iPod... But I'd have to figure out some way to get music onto it without my parents seeing what the music is. Hmm. Research time I guess.
And I'd have to get good grades. I'm failing a bunch of stuff right now.

I live in a plenty with a thousand acres of nature with trails and Ames, it's really awesome, but I'm not supposed to wander around because bears, boats, and coyote-wolves. (There's a pack of coyote/wolf hybrids, they're huge. Like bigger than my 85 pound Labrador.)

 

[EyeSeeCold]

I live in a plenty with a thousand acres of nature with trails and Ames, it's really awesome, but I'm not supposed to wander around because bears, boats, and coyote-wolves. (There's a pack of coyote/wolf hybrids, they're huge. Like bigger than my 85 pound Labrador.)

What about going hunting? (semi serious)
But yeah that sounds like both a blessing and a curse.

Well if you survive the summer you'll have enough material to write a novel. Actually keeping a journal doesn't seem like a bad idea.

I also write out the lyrics of songs I like so I can read it and sort of listen to the song in my head.

I totally remember obsessively doing that in ms & hs.

 

[Helvete]

Do you have a camera? Photographing some wildlife could be a worthwhile pursuit, especially if you snap a bear or two.

 

[Nebulous]

I live in a place with a thousand acres of nature with trails and lakes, it's really awesome, but I'm not supposed to wander around because bears, bobcats, and coyote-wolves. (There's a pack of coyote/wolf hybrids, they're huge. Like bigger than my 85 pound Labrador.)

so many typos yikes

 

[Ruby]

Yep keeping a journal is a great idea, I've done it for years with and without internet.
Writing what happened during the day makes me remember older events, wich makes me think about a lot of stuff that ends up quite unrelated to the day. I can easily write for 3 hours in a row when I'm in the right mood.

You can also try crafting your own journals or decorating them however you'd like.
You can write a bunch of fanfictions and share them once summer ended.
I draw a lot without internet, but I don't know if this is one of your interests. Learn something new, learn how to play a music instrument so that you'll be able to listen to your favourite songs by playing them.
All the ideas listed above seems like good ones to me.

Also, from what I read above, your parents are the controlling and restrictive type... So...
In case they put your computer under parental control, you might want to consider installing a keylogger to get their passwords. I can't help you with this, but if you find a way to get one without the admin passwords, it might be a blessing.

And if you download stuff you don't want them to see, a USB key with an encrypting software installed on it, like sandisk secure access, might be usefull. All the stuff you want to keep personal will be protected by a password.

 

[Nebulous]

^ nice post, thanks.

I have an iPad, not a laptop or desktop computer.

I'll probably end up doing a ton of journaling. I can right for hours.. The other day I was really spaced out and I ended up writing like nine pages of weird ramblings.

The first two paragraphs are helpful, thank you thank you thank you

 

[Ruby]

I know what you mean lol, I space out a lot. I damaged my wrist from writing/drawing too much so right now I can't use my hand a lot.

You're welcome ^^

 

[Aviator8]

Am I sleepwalking and writing another account under the name of nebulous...???