Around 2014 my cellphone was stolen and I decided not to purchase another one. 10 (happy) months passed until I got another one. I realized I did not really need to be "connected" 100% of the time, it not even affected my job. My friends were the most upset that I was not easily reachable, but I really enjoyed that time. I'd love to have that kind of break once again.
On the other hand I love Instagram. I love the illusion of being close to people I care about but live far away (like you) that it gives. In some sense, oversharing ones lives on social media is a gift to people that loves you. We get to glimpse our friend's happy moments, what they're reading, what they're caring about. I thinks there is beauty in that.
“but if you feel like technology is breaking your mind and making you anxious, maybe you’ll vibe.” Yes.
I did a six week hiatus and the first thing I noticed is more comfort to add future guardrails to my social media use. But here’s the truth: I still looked at screens. I watched documentaries, I edited way more photos in less time, I watched YouTube videos about film formats, and I looked at a lot of articles about photography greats on my computer. My screen time didn’t diminish at all but IG anxiety was quelled. I think social media’s ability to keep us fixed in a state of stupor is part of its detrimental qualities. I paused documentaries or videos on YouTube when I got tired. I didn’t have an urge to overshare. I felt calmer consuming other media. Even now that I rejoined, I feel calmer because I know another hiatus will likely exist. And maybe that’s the secret: with any media, you need to bake in lots of present time. It’s all a balance.
Finally! The post I’ve been desperately waiting for… you respecting my choice of medium for storytelling! Long live the ‘gram!!!! The respect is a bit veiled in this post but I choose to read it as respect.
Around 2014 my cellphone was stolen and I decided not to purchase another one. 10 (happy) months passed until I got another one. I realized I did not really need to be "connected" 100% of the time, it not even affected my job. My friends were the most upset that I was not easily reachable, but I really enjoyed that time. I'd love to have that kind of break once again.
On the other hand I love Instagram. I love the illusion of being close to people I care about but live far away (like you) that it gives. In some sense, oversharing ones lives on social media is a gift to people that loves you. We get to glimpse our friend's happy moments, what they're reading, what they're caring about. I thinks there is beauty in that.
“but if you feel like technology is breaking your mind and making you anxious, maybe you’ll vibe.” Yes.
I did a six week hiatus and the first thing I noticed is more comfort to add future guardrails to my social media use. But here’s the truth: I still looked at screens. I watched documentaries, I edited way more photos in less time, I watched YouTube videos about film formats, and I looked at a lot of articles about photography greats on my computer. My screen time didn’t diminish at all but IG anxiety was quelled. I think social media’s ability to keep us fixed in a state of stupor is part of its detrimental qualities. I paused documentaries or videos on YouTube when I got tired. I didn’t have an urge to overshare. I felt calmer consuming other media. Even now that I rejoined, I feel calmer because I know another hiatus will likely exist. And maybe that’s the secret: with any media, you need to bake in lots of present time. It’s all a balance.
Finally! The post I’ve been desperately waiting for… you respecting my choice of medium for storytelling! Long live the ‘gram!!!! The respect is a bit veiled in this post but I choose to read it as respect.