Thanks so much everyone for sharing your “This Time Last Year” memories on Friday’s open thread (you can still add yours!). Reading your comments transported me to a simpler, more joyful time, and I’m so grateful. as ever, sending all my love. Be safe out there. Keep your people close.
There are so many things I loved about this that I'm not sure where to start! I, too, have a habit of project managing aspects of my life. I throw more and more at a problem -- free online classes, books, podcasts, meditations, promises that I'll stick with this new program/method/habit -- and what ends up happening is that I become overwhelmed because I can't keep up with everything I've tried to take on to "fix" whatever I'm trying to fix.
I'm learning, slowly, that what I need is to step back and accept that less is truly more. I'm absorbing this lesson, slowly, that I need to focus on one thing at a time (thank you to Thich Nhat Hahn, Tara Brach, and countless other people who have shared this lesson in their books, Instagram posts, Tempest labs/calls). This brings me to the next thing that I wanted to respond to: stepping back from social media. You pose the questions, "Are we vectors for misinformation? Are we contributing to the online frenzy that keeps us wrapped up in the drama but completely disconnected from reality? How do we stay connected to community on social media in a way that leaves us feeling buoyed rather than depleted?"
Am I a vector for misinformation? (Probably, good intentions be damned.) Am I contributing to the frenzy? (No doubt; anything I post is contributing to the noise we all must muddle through in pandemia. In response to BLM, I've tried to thoughtfully post to show support, because I also believe that silence on this matter is complicity, but what's the right amount? How do I live my life as an ally? I'm still learning.) How DO I stay connected?!
To the last question of how do I stay connected, I'm inspired by you and drawing on the lesson that I've been slowly, begrudgingly accepting: less is more. I'm focusing on scaling back on my Facebook and Instagram use. I'm working to NOT endlessly scroll and NOT endlessly switch from platform to platform in response to an alert or a ding. It's hard to break habits. I started last night by leaving my phone outside of the bedroom and read my Kindle. I fell asleep earlier and woke up earlier; I prefer this. I cherish those quiet moments in the morning, even if I do choose to spend some of them catching up with my favorite WhatsApp chat thread.
Oh, Dani, I fear that I turned the comment section into my personal journal. But I love your writing and there's just so much to respond to <3
There are so many things I loved about this that I'm not sure where to start! I, too, have a habit of project managing aspects of my life. I throw more and more at a problem -- free online classes, books, podcasts, meditations, promises that I'll stick with this new program/method/habit -- and what ends up happening is that I become overwhelmed because I can't keep up with everything I've tried to take on to "fix" whatever I'm trying to fix.
I'm learning, slowly, that what I need is to step back and accept that less is truly more. I'm absorbing this lesson, slowly, that I need to focus on one thing at a time (thank you to Thich Nhat Hahn, Tara Brach, and countless other people who have shared this lesson in their books, Instagram posts, Tempest labs/calls). This brings me to the next thing that I wanted to respond to: stepping back from social media. You pose the questions, "Are we vectors for misinformation? Are we contributing to the online frenzy that keeps us wrapped up in the drama but completely disconnected from reality? How do we stay connected to community on social media in a way that leaves us feeling buoyed rather than depleted?"
Am I a vector for misinformation? (Probably, good intentions be damned.) Am I contributing to the frenzy? (No doubt; anything I post is contributing to the noise we all must muddle through in pandemia. In response to BLM, I've tried to thoughtfully post to show support, because I also believe that silence on this matter is complicity, but what's the right amount? How do I live my life as an ally? I'm still learning.) How DO I stay connected?!
To the last question of how do I stay connected, I'm inspired by you and drawing on the lesson that I've been slowly, begrudgingly accepting: less is more. I'm focusing on scaling back on my Facebook and Instagram use. I'm working to NOT endlessly scroll and NOT endlessly switch from platform to platform in response to an alert or a ding. It's hard to break habits. I started last night by leaving my phone outside of the bedroom and read my Kindle. I fell asleep earlier and woke up earlier; I prefer this. I cherish those quiet moments in the morning, even if I do choose to spend some of them catching up with my favorite WhatsApp chat thread.
Oh, Dani, I fear that I turned the comment section into my personal journal. But I love your writing and there's just so much to respond to <3
Lori! Thank you for sharing these reflections. I don't think there's a formula for any of this but it's good to stay in the questions <3
Brilliant and Wow. Thank you so much for this thoughtful work. Wow.
thank you, friend. always good to have your eyes on my words.