I have been thinking about this question for sometime now and trying to figure out what has the Internet given me in my life.

So let me get the Advantages listed:

• It has made me connected to the world. As simple as it may sound, but I do find myself browsing through various news websites as a regular routine.
• I find looking up for answers is an easy task; thanks to search engines availability.
• Has definitely improved my command on English language, I know there are miles to go further, but I also by now, that I am able to connect with readers and that’s a good feeling being a writer.
• It has made me exposed to the world as a writer who can be reached out to write on healthcare, parenting, pregnancy and society. Of course I have to pinpoint that I do like to write on India’s growing trends, lifestyles, changes that I see around me and the digital world has expanded my views when I want to write on a subject.
• Truly made me feel blessed as a woman who loves her personal freedom, find out on what other women are doing in various parts of the world, sometimes I do feel sad and at times admire women who are doing well in life -depending on what I read upon.
• Being able to access the digital world has made me more confident to put up articles, blogs, and writings. The medium has such vast content, some worthy to be read, most that can be ignored and that makes writers and others who want to get their opinion out being confident in publishing their writings.
• It has made cooking easier for me (thank god)! Love to browse various recipes and make them based on ingredients availability, time taken and variety.
• It has got me closer to friends and a few people whom I like to keep in touch on and off.
• It  has given me access to world views, not necessarily I agree or like all of them but nevertheless, it has broadened to some extent my perspective of life.
• Given me company when there are no friends, no relatives no one to talk to, all I do is browse on various websites, check news, topics that I like to read, read about celebrities, see where my articles are read etc. Moreover this is a huge factor when I think of why I like browsing the Internet
• Know what’s happening in my city-Bangalore in a faster mode and think and sometimes act on issues that matter to me. Also helps me in indulging in entertainment activities for the week and weekend as the net gives the information about the city.
• Has helped me to know what other moms go through in life and at times helped me to formulate new topics that I need to write.
• Know what’s happening in the lives of a few people I admire, some from the film industry, a few writers, and a few ex-colleagues. This helps me to unwind –yes I can really unwind reading about my favourite movie stars and quite about anything about movies and actors. If I ever get to live in Mumbai, will try to begin working on film journalism. I remember when I was a RJ at FM Rainbow, I would love to browse books on films, even now can’t take my eyes off when I see a film magazine and that’s the same on the net too. Moreover, the Internet gives my regular dose of update on past and current movies, actors, actresses, music and everything related to film world.
•  Helps me to get to know the works of other writers and other people who I have admired in the past through the net. It also makes me introspect whether I need to move a bit fast forward in my career or feel happy at times at my own pace. Sometimes it’s just nice to read of what others are doing, need not envy them.
• Makes me interested to browse various travel destinations and incite a hope that I will be able to travel to these places one day if I save enough and more importantly earn enough(now that’s a million dollar dream!)
• Gives me access to the new careers that are now emerging, makes me feel if I need to re-visit and do some of my past career choices like PR for one-off events again. Or try a new career altogether –all my life I have tried various career options and now settled for the moment being a writer.

A few Disadvantages to be listed: (hard to ignore them)

• Can make me forget my personal life quite literally, when I get immersed in the digital world and do not have time for other things listed out for the day.
• Sometimes I do get swayed when I find myself ignoring my child at home as I am looking on the net for something or just browsing. Even now I can hear my little one vying for my attention with his toy, but all that I strongly feel at the moment is that firstly I need to put this content on my blog..
• Makes me feel at times that I am addicted to my world of checking news websites, emails and other stuff.

There must be more disadvantages, guess not able to admit it right now…Actually those around me will be able to comment on this better.

There is also the question of what do I expect from the Internet in the future? Will leave it open ended for the moment. When I do figure out answers for that too, will list them.