Evenings spent in solitude

Tired of runnin'

home sweet home

Hi there,

May we heal.

Five things to share:

1. The hardest part about unplugging, going offline— without the socials, without the news, without the junk scrolltainment— is evenings that demand to be filled with anything but the quiet and stillness of the night. Going out has become my new escape. I know, I know, lucky me. What a blessing to have the means, the reasons, the people to go out and do things with, to enjoy being alive throughly. Thank you, more please. Still, I want to face the fear, that unease I feel with being alone, being present: I’m tired of running. For May, I’m challenging myself to (re)learn how to spend my evenings offline, alone, in solitude. All that running away ain't free anyway.

2. I recently made a list: The world is ending, how should I cope? Things that made it to the list: Literature, ignore the apps, listen to good music, aim for connection, aim for beauty, make good use of time. Things that didn't make it to the list: Follow the news, follow the outrage.

3. A quote I want to share with you:

   Sometimes even to live is an act of courage.

   — Seneca

   Give yourself some grace. Be gentle, be brave, be kind. ♡

4. I Didn’t Come Here to Scroll, I came to write.

   You will not catch time spent offline in these Chat or Notes streets. I don’t even have the Substack app. What a delight to still have a choice, to say ‘thank you, but no thank you,’ and go about my life as I see fit— merrily.

5. A question for you: How do/would you spend your evenings unplugged?

P.s. A lil’ treat yo’self ♡

Living Out Loud (most fav)

P.s.s.

I was born, grew up, spent a few years in the Army, a few more in the can. And here I am. A half a wise guy. So what?

That’s all for this week!

Thank you for reading, and share with anyone you think may benefit.

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Until next time,

Mehret