We're not the crazy ones here

In defense of extreme measures to get offline

catching flights to/ where the grass is greener

Hi there,

This post is in response to my good friend who teased he thought I would be more practical than getting a typewriter. He does have a point, but… and this is an important but.

Five things to share:

1. At times I feel childish for all the extreme measures I must take to rescue my attention from the attention vultures. Like using the parental control features on my phone to tame my digital addiction— my dad sets the passcode as well. I’m a grown woman. Silly, goofy, “not serious about life,” as a man once declared me but a grown up nonetheless. WHAT, I scream, I’m so fucking serious! He can’t hear me. He won’t hear me. “Yeah, whatever,” I chuckle. That is until I’m on the train on my way to work, balancing my bags and minding my business, when a phone screen comes into my view. My curiosity gets the best of me. I look to see what I’m missing out on: Without social media, without the news, with a dumb smartphone. I can’t believe what I’m seeing. I can’t be the crazy one here!

2. The Never-Ending Fight with My Inner Comfort-Addict Self to Catch Offline Delight

   It’s Sunday afternoon and the Internet has informed me there is a Writer's Circle & Open Mic event being hosted at my favourite spot in the city. It’s last minute and the friend I had in mind can’t make it so we settle for a phone call. We talk and talk and talk, and the time inches closer and closer to time to get ready. I don’t want to. I try anyway. I start with slathering the primer on my face. The voice of reason begins: It’s cold and rainy outside; You’ve got chores to finish; Tomorrow is Monday; You don’t have money; You have no one to go with; What are you going to wear; What if it sucks— worse, what if you suck. I go to the kitchen and stare at the groceries waiting to be made edible for the week ahead. But something— the thing that is now used to searching for and finding delight in these cold streets— brings me back to the bathroom. Just show up, you never know, the Something reasons. I slather on foundation, eyeshadow, mascara; I put on my jeans and sweater begrudgingly; I spritz. Good enough, the mirror approves.

   As I exit the train station, someone grabs me. It’s my friend who also happens to be going to the same event. When we get there, we’re asked to scan a barcode to register and pay. I brought cash, I say and hand him the $5. Oh my phone can’t open links, I tell him. I’m more confident these days— I’m not the crazy one here! He takes the money and it doesn’t seem to matter that my phone can’t scan to register. We’re given a theme— Power of Names— and 30 minutes to write. Then we read what we wrote. The energy is electrifying. People are saying things that make you weak; laugh, cry, weep. No internet connection required. When it’s my turn and she says, “I don’t wanna butcher your name, M-U-H-R-E-T?” I say, “right on!” and read:

   

   Let’s play a game called Find All the Misspelled Words

3. A quote I want to share with you:

   A little imprisonment— if it’s of your own making— can set you free.

   — Austin Kleon/ Steal Like An Artist

   And, tell me what is it to be free?

4. (empty space; skip guilt free— enjoy!)

5. A challenge for you: Practice silence.

   Find a comfortable place to explore silence. Turn off your cellphone and shut down all social media. Perhaps you want to meditate or pray. Perhaps you want to be closer to nature and the beauty of the earth. Maybe you want to hike. Whatever you choose to do, for one or several hours, practice silence. When you finish, write about the experience. How was it? What did you learn? Repeat this exercise whenever you feel you need the calm and quiet to center you. (From the Story You Need to Tell)

P.s. The Christmas playlists from AccuRadio are giving me life and holiday cheer! Good use of the Internet. I love the radio because it lessens the paradox of choice. Without unlimited skips, you learn to enjoy what is.

P.s.s. time spent offline goes offline!

That’s all for this week!

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

If you’re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe below.

Until next time,

Mehret