Exceptional..... I could both write and be read immediately, and create an image of myself. Instagram, in particular, enabled me to close the gap between the person I was and the person I envisioned myself being.
This is why social media had been able to draw us down that "rabbit hole" into a world we created but doesn't exist. Best post yet. I had 3 FB accounts and it eventually became impossible for me to get on FB even though I only did it to see what my family was doing because they couldn''t get OFF FB to take the time and write me a letter...or email. Now they won't take time off FB to even read my emails...I observe most FB and social media addicts live in a fantasy world. Me 80 years old , alone, surrounded by retirees addicted to Social media....finally got off the couch and returned to travel dispite all it's set backs with Climate Change, long lines, making appointments months in advance to see Machu Pitchu...etc. It took a month to settle in but I'm back in the saddle and can enjoying the "NOW" of travel...living in the moment. Thanks Anna for a wonderful post. This goes out to my friends in hopes they take heed. And on my calendar to read again each month...keep me focused!
You never cease to impress me, David. Traveling the world and writing blogs at 80? That’s what I want to be doing if I reach your age! You’re an inspiration.
And you’re right, I see a lot of older people as addicted to scrolling as *we, kids*, are. I’m grateful to still be able to remember life before the internet. I think that’s useful in keeping sanity amongst the digital madness.
Thanks Ana! Digital madness is getting worse. My phone was updated…not sure what they did but while filming a demonstration in Lyon France, I pushed the volume button when a group song broke out and Gemini AI came on my screen..What can I help you with! Google added it and said it can not be removed! We are becoming prisoners of our own making.
Ana, I’ve been reading Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino and her ‘The I in the Internet’ is such a powerful read that echoes a lot of your sentiments. Would highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already.
I mean… let’s see how this goes! I’m trying to do the difficult thing now, as opposed to doing it once I’m at my wits’ end. Honestly, I suspect it’s going to be tricky. I’m addicted to the immediacy of socials, those quick dopamine hits. I need to keep reminding myself WHY I’m doing this and that those quick hits were hitting me too much.
Slowly heading that way too! I love internet and love social media and I love my addiction a bit too much, so much so that even it’s fucking me up I still can’t and won’t change a thing. You are an inspiration!
Wow, Oana, if you — of all people — are saying that you’re headed this way too, then the world is about to change! 😉 As a true Insta OG, you are / were one of the most online people I know. How do notice socials being detrimental to you?
Hi 👋 after 4 years without whatsapp and 4 months without instagram and facebook I can assure you: we don’t need any of that. The feeling has been one: relief.
Wow, congrats on your four years of digital freedom! I’m very curious to see what being offline does to me: how I move through the world and how I create. What were the main benefits you noticed from getting rid of socials? Any improvements in your ability to focus?
The feeling of having one less task to do, the corollary of which is more time and one less thing on my mind. Less screen time, and forgetting about the phone (sometimes even panicking thinking that I've left it at home or somewhere else because I don't ‘need’ it as much). Because of this, I focus more on conversations and other activities, but there's no major improvement in reading, for example. Now yes, but I've been resting a lot in the last month, until then I was working too much and being tired always means less concentration. I'm not 100% sure that the improvement of my focus on reading now, after a few months, is also related to a detox from social media.
Exceptional..... I could both write and be read immediately, and create an image of myself. Instagram, in particular, enabled me to close the gap between the person I was and the person I envisioned myself being.
This is why social media had been able to draw us down that "rabbit hole" into a world we created but doesn't exist. Best post yet. I had 3 FB accounts and it eventually became impossible for me to get on FB even though I only did it to see what my family was doing because they couldn''t get OFF FB to take the time and write me a letter...or email. Now they won't take time off FB to even read my emails...I observe most FB and social media addicts live in a fantasy world. Me 80 years old , alone, surrounded by retirees addicted to Social media....finally got off the couch and returned to travel dispite all it's set backs with Climate Change, long lines, making appointments months in advance to see Machu Pitchu...etc. It took a month to settle in but I'm back in the saddle and can enjoying the "NOW" of travel...living in the moment. Thanks Anna for a wonderful post. This goes out to my friends in hopes they take heed. And on my calendar to read again each month...keep me focused!
You never cease to impress me, David. Traveling the world and writing blogs at 80? That’s what I want to be doing if I reach your age! You’re an inspiration.
And you’re right, I see a lot of older people as addicted to scrolling as *we, kids*, are. I’m grateful to still be able to remember life before the internet. I think that’s useful in keeping sanity amongst the digital madness.
Thanks Ana! Digital madness is getting worse. My phone was updated…not sure what they did but while filming a demonstration in Lyon France, I pushed the volume button when a group song broke out and Gemini AI came on my screen..What can I help you with! Google added it and said it can not be removed! We are becoming prisoners of our own making.
Ana, I’ve been reading Trick Mirror by Jia Tolentino and her ‘The I in the Internet’ is such a powerful read that echoes a lot of your sentiments. Would highly recommend it if you haven’t read it already.
Ooo, that sounds like something I’d be interested in reading, indeed! 👀 Thanks for your thoughtful comment and suggestion, as always, Rameen. 🙏
You are an inspiration! Nice work!
I mean… let’s see how this goes! I’m trying to do the difficult thing now, as opposed to doing it once I’m at my wits’ end. Honestly, I suspect it’s going to be tricky. I’m addicted to the immediacy of socials, those quick dopamine hits. I need to keep reminding myself WHY I’m doing this and that those quick hits were hitting me too much.
Slowly heading that way too! I love internet and love social media and I love my addiction a bit too much, so much so that even it’s fucking me up I still can’t and won’t change a thing. You are an inspiration!
Wow, Oana, if you — of all people — are saying that you’re headed this way too, then the world is about to change! 😉 As a true Insta OG, you are / were one of the most online people I know. How do notice socials being detrimental to you?
Hi 👋 after 4 years without whatsapp and 4 months without instagram and facebook I can assure you: we don’t need any of that. The feeling has been one: relief.
Wow, congrats on your four years of digital freedom! I’m very curious to see what being offline does to me: how I move through the world and how I create. What were the main benefits you noticed from getting rid of socials? Any improvements in your ability to focus?
The feeling of having one less task to do, the corollary of which is more time and one less thing on my mind. Less screen time, and forgetting about the phone (sometimes even panicking thinking that I've left it at home or somewhere else because I don't ‘need’ it as much). Because of this, I focus more on conversations and other activities, but there's no major improvement in reading, for example. Now yes, but I've been resting a lot in the last month, until then I was working too much and being tired always means less concentration. I'm not 100% sure that the improvement of my focus on reading now, after a few months, is also related to a detox from social media.