A wholesome, algorithm-free guide for cultivating a rich(er) social life
IRL people are good for you
Hi there,
Waiting for the train recently and left to my own device— my mind— I had a thought. Some people desire the comfort and safety of the known while others prefer the thrills of playing Russian roulette with their lives. One wrong move and it can be lethal, but how exhilarating is it to pull the trigger and make it out alive?
(bored brain metaphorical musings)
Five things to share:
For years, trapped in internet-induced isolation, I considered myself someone who disliked people; the ‘forever alone’ type, the ‘ugh, people suck!’ type— a walking meme. Forgive me, the internet raised me. Luckily, I was young, and as such, free to explore all kinds of socialization that suited my taste. As I got older, however, tweeting ‘people suck’ from the corner of my bed no longer seemed a quirky trait but rather a sad coping mechanism of someone trapped inside internet-sponsored loneliness. That was then. Today, I enjoy a wholesome, algorithm-free social life that is fulfilling, enriching, and full of joy and excitement.
What to do with our infinite appetite for distractions? “For you” isn’t for you anyway.
A quote I want to share with you:
LAW 10: Avoid the Unhappy and Unlucky. You can die from someone else’s misery— emotional states are as infectious as diseases. You may feel you are helping the drowning man but you are only precipitating your own disaster. The unfortunate sometimes draw misfortune on themselves; they will also draw it on you. Associate with the happy and fortunate instead.
— Robert Greene / The 48 Laws of Power
In other words, misery loves company. Work diligently to be happy and fortunate instead. Happy loves company, too.
Friendship gives flavour to life. Rather than treating friendship as a nice-to-have luxury, reserved for people who have their lives in perfect order, we should cultivate friendship intentionally and treat it as the necessity it is. We need to be intentional in our pursuit of it, especially as we age.
A challenge for you: Ask somebody to coffee. Afterwards, write down everything you remember about the conversation.
From the Steal Like An Artist Journal
Tip: Ignore your phone for heightened recall, and enjoyment, of the conversation.
P.s.
To pay attention, this is our endless
and proper work.
P.p.s.
That’s all for this week!
Thank you for reading, and share with anyone you think may benefit.
Until next time,
Mehret
Thanks for that shout-out! That postsecret hit me surprisingly hard. Evidence of a time not so long ago when smartphone ownership wasn't expected.