I have to say Tommy, your writing is quite the definition of what I've been searching for on Substack. Essays with substance, conviction, a message. Not the random 2 am thoughts blurted out on Notes, as if this place is another twitter (but aesthetic). As for this piece, it's a great follow up to the chronically online one (also an amazing read). I agree with everything you've articulated; I've been trying to incorporate the analogue into my daily life as well. And it works. It worksss! Let's all keep being human and grounded, this too shall pass and all that is good will stay. Kudos 👏
Seconded! I deleted it within weeks of downloading it. I downloaded it again recently and deleted it within days of downloading it. I guess it's hours next time, if there is one!
Tommy, what the hell. This is my favorite thing you’ve ever written. I’m inspired, liberated, panicked, and of course, ashamed of my doom scrolling even tho it’s “not as bad as most people.” This is what I actually tell myself! Ok I gotta go read my book. Bye.
Play music. I'd forgotten how hard it was to practice an hour a day like I did when I was a child, but the only way to develop a skill is by doing it over and over until it's muscle memory.
I have a question for you-what are your thoughts on if it needs to be all or nothing? I love your essay but was thinking it might have some real rules that have worked for you around screens or social media time. I have really enjoyed my social media detoxes, but haven’t yet pulled the plug entirely. I don’t know if it’s possible to straddle both worlds so to speak but I think it’s a challenge we all face- wanting more analog and peace, but also faced with the reality that we live in a technology-driven world. I would like discipline to have an 80 percent analog and 20 percent digital life but haven’t found the strategies and rules to make it happen. Your essay did give me lots of food for thought though…thanks so much
What has really helped me, with Substack specifically, is getting off the app. You can do basically most of the same stuff, with some exceptions like direct chat where you'll need your laptop. But it has kept me largely out of trouble as far as online addiction because when I open my browser (versus the app) I do NOT immediately see everyone's Notes. Instead I see my own dashboard. I can then CHOOSE to check out Notes...or not. Not seeing it automatically really helps to not get pulled in.
Adding friction to a lot of your online time can be helpful! Only log on at a certain time to check things, like you may do with emails so you're not checking them all day.
Check social media, etc. only from your computer... Maybe even have a digital camera to take pictures with and post them from your computer! I say this because the zoom on my phone sucks, so I dug out my old digital camera I bought for a Korea trip and have been using that for my own pleasure. :)
I swear your essays are masterpieces. They’re so special compared to what others write even if it’s good — yours are still smth as if dictated from above. Thank you for your work. It resonates with the body cells. And an insane amount of lines are golden quotes.
“Bought” you a cup of coffee. It’s not much, but also smth :)
My friend, one day it will no longer be like they’re an infant in need of our care, but an actual infant in need of everything. I would add to your suggestions an invitation to devotion. Since my mother's illness, passing, and now my daughters life threatening illness my rosary has become one of those devotions that I know I'll have to the end of my days like my ancestors before me. My little daughter fell asleep to the Hail Marys right before I came to read this piece. It is in a devotion we have far more than a hobby, in contemplation far more than some recurring appointment with mindfulness. Out in our neck of the woods we sometimes refer to the fire as Ranger TV. We have picked up screens as a devotion to ease but as Saint Josemaria Escriva once said “To be happy, what you need is not an easy life but a heart which is in love". As always I appreciate your work here and anticipate the continued updates in your journey. My best to you Tommy
Dear Tommy, what an absolutely wonderful piece of writing. Today I deleted the Instagram app from my phone, but I do want to delete my account entirely. I hesitate, because I am a photographer, but at the same time I know it’s the darkness that wants me to keep it. But I want to switch on the light. And you have inspired me to focus on something else in my life. My best regards, Agata
I’M DOING IT! I’m going back to no social media! You’ve reinspired me! That was the best my life ever was, and I’ve been too horrifically addicted to enforce it again. My new project is to read (or at least try before nobly DNFing) every single fantasy book at my local library, starting in alphabetical order. Impossible to accomplish if I am scrolling and if I also want to do art and writing. Thank you for bringing me back to earth!
I can’t get past the irony in this essay where the writer eschews all things digital, yet posts on a digital platform, uses DFW sage wisdom against advertisers but asks for money at the end of the piece. Unless the writer is trying to work themselves out of a job it seems a bit hypocritical.
Thank you for writing this piece. I have been working as a Social Media Marketer. It has been tiring, very tiring. I am not sure how to implement what you are doing while my job is literally to doom-scroll (well not exactly, but keeping up with trends and algorithm every day is a must). I’ve been thinking to switch my career, however economic-wise this is not something I can do. I would love to know your thoughts on a case like this, where quitting is not an option, but continuing this endless online cycle is torture.
Thank you so much for sharing this Tommy, it resonate significantly and it's beautifully written. I loved the description of the bus with everyone doomscrolling, so vivid.
Also, yes: music. Intentional listening is something that changes everything. I recently wrote a piece about it titled "Imagine like Beethoven", it'd be amazing if you could have a look.
Another sharp push towards something I have known for a long time and yet have not won the fight against. Thanks for the beautiful reminder of why I need to keep trying, and why it’s worth it.
I have to say Tommy, your writing is quite the definition of what I've been searching for on Substack. Essays with substance, conviction, a message. Not the random 2 am thoughts blurted out on Notes, as if this place is another twitter (but aesthetic). As for this piece, it's a great follow up to the chronically online one (also an amazing read). I agree with everything you've articulated; I've been trying to incorporate the analogue into my daily life as well. And it works. It worksss! Let's all keep being human and grounded, this too shall pass and all that is good will stay. Kudos 👏
Totally. And love the DFW references. Very appropriate. Consider getting off the SS app. Changed my life: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/why-i-deleted-the-substack-app-again
Seconded! I deleted it within weeks of downloading it. I downloaded it again recently and deleted it within days of downloading it. I guess it's hours next time, if there is one!
Tommy, what the hell. This is my favorite thing you’ve ever written. I’m inspired, liberated, panicked, and of course, ashamed of my doom scrolling even tho it’s “not as bad as most people.” This is what I actually tell myself! Ok I gotta go read my book. Bye.
My thoughts entirely!
Same page! Lol
what charlie said
Play music. I'd forgotten how hard it was to practice an hour a day like I did when I was a child, but the only way to develop a skill is by doing it over and over until it's muscle memory.
That’s exactly my approach! Playing music (or learning an instrument) is the best method of keeping our brains healthy and protected.
https://substack.com/@dylanpemberton/note/p-176431785?r=6kxzo7&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
After years of not playing and singing, I just treated myself to a piano and my heart and mind thank me. 💖
That and reading physical books. And walking. And getting off the SS app. https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/why-i-deleted-the-substack-app-again
Agreed🙏🏼
I have a question for you-what are your thoughts on if it needs to be all or nothing? I love your essay but was thinking it might have some real rules that have worked for you around screens or social media time. I have really enjoyed my social media detoxes, but haven’t yet pulled the plug entirely. I don’t know if it’s possible to straddle both worlds so to speak but I think it’s a challenge we all face- wanting more analog and peace, but also faced with the reality that we live in a technology-driven world. I would like discipline to have an 80 percent analog and 20 percent digital life but haven’t found the strategies and rules to make it happen. Your essay did give me lots of food for thought though…thanks so much
What has really helped me, with Substack specifically, is getting off the app. You can do basically most of the same stuff, with some exceptions like direct chat where you'll need your laptop. But it has kept me largely out of trouble as far as online addiction because when I open my browser (versus the app) I do NOT immediately see everyone's Notes. Instead I see my own dashboard. I can then CHOOSE to check out Notes...or not. Not seeing it automatically really helps to not get pulled in.
Here's my piece on getting off the app: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/why-i-deleted-the-substack-app-again
Adding friction to a lot of your online time can be helpful! Only log on at a certain time to check things, like you may do with emails so you're not checking them all day.
Check social media, etc. only from your computer... Maybe even have a digital camera to take pictures with and post them from your computer! I say this because the zoom on my phone sucks, so I dug out my old digital camera I bought for a Korea trip and have been using that for my own pleasure. :)
I swear your essays are masterpieces. They’re so special compared to what others write even if it’s good — yours are still smth as if dictated from above. Thank you for your work. It resonates with the body cells. And an insane amount of lines are golden quotes.
“Bought” you a cup of coffee. It’s not much, but also smth :)
My friend, one day it will no longer be like they’re an infant in need of our care, but an actual infant in need of everything. I would add to your suggestions an invitation to devotion. Since my mother's illness, passing, and now my daughters life threatening illness my rosary has become one of those devotions that I know I'll have to the end of my days like my ancestors before me. My little daughter fell asleep to the Hail Marys right before I came to read this piece. It is in a devotion we have far more than a hobby, in contemplation far more than some recurring appointment with mindfulness. Out in our neck of the woods we sometimes refer to the fire as Ranger TV. We have picked up screens as a devotion to ease but as Saint Josemaria Escriva once said “To be happy, what you need is not an easy life but a heart which is in love". As always I appreciate your work here and anticipate the continued updates in your journey. My best to you Tommy
Dear Tommy, what an absolutely wonderful piece of writing. Today I deleted the Instagram app from my phone, but I do want to delete my account entirely. I hesitate, because I am a photographer, but at the same time I know it’s the darkness that wants me to keep it. But I want to switch on the light. And you have inspired me to focus on something else in my life. My best regards, Agata
Consider deleting the SS app: https://michaelmohr.substack.com/p/why-i-deleted-the-substack-app-again
I’M DOING IT! I’m going back to no social media! You’ve reinspired me! That was the best my life ever was, and I’ve been too horrifically addicted to enforce it again. My new project is to read (or at least try before nobly DNFing) every single fantasy book at my local library, starting in alphabetical order. Impossible to accomplish if I am scrolling and if I also want to do art and writing. Thank you for bringing me back to earth!
I can’t get past the irony in this essay where the writer eschews all things digital, yet posts on a digital platform, uses DFW sage wisdom against advertisers but asks for money at the end of the piece. Unless the writer is trying to work themselves out of a job it seems a bit hypocritical.
Thank you for writing this piece. I have been working as a Social Media Marketer. It has been tiring, very tiring. I am not sure how to implement what you are doing while my job is literally to doom-scroll (well not exactly, but keeping up with trends and algorithm every day is a must). I’ve been thinking to switch my career, however economic-wise this is not something I can do. I would love to know your thoughts on a case like this, where quitting is not an option, but continuing this endless online cycle is torture.
Man, that sounds EXHAUSTING!! I can't imagine.
PS: I want to be friends with you.
This made me cry because as an Arab and Muslim woman my humanity depends on being online.
Why is that?
Why?
Thank you so much for sharing this Tommy, it resonate significantly and it's beautifully written. I loved the description of the bus with everyone doomscrolling, so vivid.
Also, yes: music. Intentional listening is something that changes everything. I recently wrote a piece about it titled "Imagine like Beethoven", it'd be amazing if you could have a look.
*it resonates (sorry for the typo)
Thank you - the list of things to do served like reminders of a life lost, time to change things up…
Great advice! This inspired me a lot. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, as always
Another sharp push towards something I have known for a long time and yet have not won the fight against. Thanks for the beautiful reminder of why I need to keep trying, and why it’s worth it.