Thank you for sharing about this issue that so many of us can relate to. If you haven't found them yet, some of my favorite Substacks related to digital minimalism are Moving Offline by @JBRIONES95 , Scroll Sanity by @CarmellaGuiol , and School of the Unconformed by @RUTHGASKOVSKI
I've found you via Dave Bonta, and so happy to have. I had a forced break from social media (all screens) in December because of a head injury, and I was amazed at what a positive difference it made for me. Now that I can use it again, I feel it creeping back in just the ways you describe here. I think I need to let myself be bored more often. Those few minutes when I'm waiting for tea water to boil might be just the time I'll have some kind of idea or breakthrough in understanding, if only I keep space for those things to happen. Also, heartily agree with reading for fun! I do see myself spending more time on Substack than I should--but it's because I've found so much interesting writing here. I know I need to get a handle on that, but see it as being much different from time spend on Instagram.
That's so good to read Rita and exactly why I wrote the post - I think simple honesty about the way this peculiar addiction seeps into everyday life gives people the chance to consider their own space and how they feel about it all. I'm finding bad habits creep in to Substack - the focus on monetising gives a whole new dimension to "likes". I'm trying to focus on using it as a space to enjoy writing and find a community to share words with . Lovely to have you here with me!
Thanks for the name-check, and I hope that kind of poetry community can take hold here, though I have my doubts - Substack's business model is tied so tightly to the idea of writers getting paid, each in a sort of silo, it may eventually make things too difficult for those of us who just want to share and build community. Anyway, I'm going though a similar reassessment of my social media use so this was very helpful; thanks.
Thanks Dave - I agree it's a bit muddy. I find myself getting distracted by the "how to grow" articles where I really want to be reading beautiful writing. Glad the article was helpful!
Well done Kathryn! It's really difficult to not only realise this is an issue, but to also do something proactive about it. I applaud your efforts and am excited to hear you are winning the battle 😘.
I have this issue too. I found a digital wellbeing section on my phone which allows me to select apps to put at a timer on. The first time the warning came up that I had 5 mins left on Facebook, I wasn't prepared for the feeling of utter fear I felt. It gives you the option to extend the time, thankfully I pulled myself together. It then makes the app unavailable. I too feel better for it.
Good luck on your journey. 😊 You are absolutely doing the right thing, not for everyone, but for you ❤️ Xx
Thanks Marie 😊 I'm amazed how much better I feel. I had one of those apps for a little while but I just kept turning it off ! My key was understanding the negative impact and realising what will continue to lose. Lovely to hear from you! Xx
Thank you for sharing about this issue that so many of us can relate to. If you haven't found them yet, some of my favorite Substacks related to digital minimalism are Moving Offline by @JBRIONES95 , Scroll Sanity by @CarmellaGuiol , and School of the Unconformed by @RUTHGASKOVSKI
I kind of like that it has a name. Thanks for the links!
Hi Kathryn,
I've found you via Dave Bonta, and so happy to have. I had a forced break from social media (all screens) in December because of a head injury, and I was amazed at what a positive difference it made for me. Now that I can use it again, I feel it creeping back in just the ways you describe here. I think I need to let myself be bored more often. Those few minutes when I'm waiting for tea water to boil might be just the time I'll have some kind of idea or breakthrough in understanding, if only I keep space for those things to happen. Also, heartily agree with reading for fun! I do see myself spending more time on Substack than I should--but it's because I've found so much interesting writing here. I know I need to get a handle on that, but see it as being much different from time spend on Instagram.
That's so good to read Rita and exactly why I wrote the post - I think simple honesty about the way this peculiar addiction seeps into everyday life gives people the chance to consider their own space and how they feel about it all. I'm finding bad habits creep in to Substack - the focus on monetising gives a whole new dimension to "likes". I'm trying to focus on using it as a space to enjoy writing and find a community to share words with . Lovely to have you here with me!
Thanks for the name-check, and I hope that kind of poetry community can take hold here, though I have my doubts - Substack's business model is tied so tightly to the idea of writers getting paid, each in a sort of silo, it may eventually make things too difficult for those of us who just want to share and build community. Anyway, I'm going though a similar reassessment of my social media use so this was very helpful; thanks.
Thanks Dave - I agree it's a bit muddy. I find myself getting distracted by the "how to grow" articles where I really want to be reading beautiful writing. Glad the article was helpful!
Bravo wonderful lady, so many things ring true but you always know how to word things without sounding neither wishy washy or a wan@er!
You are fabulous and if only more people took a leaf from your book! I’m sure they’d be happier ❤️.
Neither wishy-washy or a wan@ker. I'm having that as my tag line 😁. Thank you lovely xx
Well done Kathryn! It's really difficult to not only realise this is an issue, but to also do something proactive about it. I applaud your efforts and am excited to hear you are winning the battle 😘.
I have this issue too. I found a digital wellbeing section on my phone which allows me to select apps to put at a timer on. The first time the warning came up that I had 5 mins left on Facebook, I wasn't prepared for the feeling of utter fear I felt. It gives you the option to extend the time, thankfully I pulled myself together. It then makes the app unavailable. I too feel better for it.
Good luck on your journey. 😊 You are absolutely doing the right thing, not for everyone, but for you ❤️ Xx
Thanks Marie 😊 I'm amazed how much better I feel. I had one of those apps for a little while but I just kept turning it off ! My key was understanding the negative impact and realising what will continue to lose. Lovely to hear from you! Xx