One thing at a time — how I approached a slow way of living and cut off social media and information flow
Hi there!
I mentioned in my last article about course for Artist's Way book where we accomplish tasks the author offers. Since it is a book club initiative, we have a cozy chat with communication and reporting of our progress there.
We had a conversation that nowadays we cannot do even something casual like cleaning the house without information on the background. There is almost always music, podcas or favorite TV show on the background, isn't?
We've all been there, me myself as well. But not at this point and I was probably the only one in the chat who answered "nah, I am trying to do one thing at a time, not overloading my brain with information". I really do.
Since I was asked how I came to this and it is really a hot topic for our society right now, I decided to write here my journey to more calm way of living without information you did not ask or need right now.
First of all, what is my problem with the internet and social media:
We cannot imagine our life without social media right now and surely they have their rightful pros.
However, I tend to see a lot of unsimilarities between real life and what people claim to be on social media. This especially the case when you know the person both through online and real life. It's so easy to "create a character" of yourself in social media. Truly, we can write whatever we want. What we are like, what our strengths are, what approach we have to work or life and it makes us look so good and attractive for those on the other side of the screen. I've seen and maybe done that myself when such positive sides of yourself are pulled out of the context and the actions in real life do not correspond to the words claimed on Twitter or Instagram post. Thus, I lost some sense of authentity there.
Personally, I prefer show my values through the actions, not just post about them. Therefore, I cut Twitter and Instagram and follow mostly people I know from day-to-day communication.
I follow extremely low amount of people
Yes, I do not follow some of my best friends or my lovely grandma and it has zero correlation with my relationship with them.
As I said, being kind and here for them in real life is much more important and within my values than following everybody on social. Now we have far more information to consume and not everything on the internet is for us really. It works both way, people can unfollow me anytime if they are not interested in literature, Taylor Swift, psychology or art events. Maybe it's irrelevant to them so why would they keep me on their news feed?
Following only around 60 people allows me recieve the information I need to know. I want to read that poem of this young writer or see family weekend of the person from my hometown. But for me there is a line where watching stories becomes an obligation. When I feel that I am obliged watching or reading something without enjoying and committing to it I allow myself to cut it off. Who knows, maybe if I meet that person for a cup of coffee this information will not be that irrelevant after hard working day?
3. One thing at a time
So, everything described above allows me to know less and I am super cool about it. Yes, I do not know all bloggers, all trends, all businesses who are blasting right now, all podcasts about everything and it feels so good!
It's just peaceful, quiet and nourishing.
You know, I made soup recently. Cut all the vegetables and I thought "Why am I not putting any music or podcast? It's just a perfect time for it right now!". The thing is I liked how it feels just cutting my vegetables. That's basically the only thing my brain should focus on right now.
I love this formula so much. If I am with my family, I am fully with my family laughing, cooking, drinking tea together and sharing news and updates. If I am with friends, I am fully with friends. I talk for three hours with them, play board games and do not care what's happening on the Internet.
I know we live in such a time-frame when being updated is important. But where is the line between I am aware and I am anxious as hell about everything what's going on which I cannot really control?
One thing at a time for me it's not just "do not bother me when I am with loved ones". It's also I am here all ears on work meeting or I have one hour study session sharp to write my diploma.
No, I don't need music or podcast or texting everyone at that time.
This culture of urgency will never give us regulated nervous system. So please slow down. You are okay. One thing at a time, listen to yourself first.