Great list! I think you're right about how we don't actually need to go out and purchase anything to make changes in our lives. I find that when I am doing what I say matters most to me (reading, walking, gardening, etc) I don't have much time for the life-sucking/time-wasting activities.
Thank you, Shannon! I absolutely agree with you! When I spend more time doing the things I love (even when I am super busy), the temptation to give in to mindless scrolling seems to disappear almost completely! It's when I think I am "too busy" to find time to read, write, hike, or enjoy a leisurely evening that I end up spending even more time wasting online.
Great work as usual, Rachel. I highly recommend some kind of intentional listening environment if you’re as into music as it seems. I’ve spent a few years building up my stereo system and I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re trying to engage more intentionally with the medium. Doesn’t have to be through vinyl either - I’ve been digging out my old CD’s lately. For me, having a quality set of speakers really exposes the artistry in a wide variety of genres, but you definitely don’t have to break the bank to get there.
Thank you, Ben! You make a very good point that I should intentionally preserve and pursue this passion of mine. It's been gnawing at me for some time that I need to assess music in my life and determine how to cultivate my taste and musical appreciation. Perhaps I'll have to move this up on my priority list...
You might enjoy the youtuber Sideways. He was a really great intro to theory as someone who never really had a knack for the mechanics of music. His video about the score for A Nightmare Before Christmas is outstanding.
Great piece Rachel :) Peco and I are just completing our post on "Fasting from the Virtual and Feasting on the Real" in preparation for our communal digital fast. I'll link your piece for additional ideas that participants can draw on.
Thank you, Ruth! I appreciate it greatly! When I joined Substack last summer it was such a delight to see how so many of my thoughts and ideas are widely discussed and esteemed here. Your writings especially gave me hope. Thank you for the wonderful role you have in this endeavor!
Luisa, I feel the pain! Even without social media, the prevalence of technology in our lives makes it hard to experience the sense of freedom that we long for. Though sometimes I wonder if we over romanticize that freedom without understanding it fully. Like most things in life, it seems to come down to practicing prudence and being open to adaption throughout various stages of life.
Great list! I think you're right about how we don't actually need to go out and purchase anything to make changes in our lives. I find that when I am doing what I say matters most to me (reading, walking, gardening, etc) I don't have much time for the life-sucking/time-wasting activities.
Also! I wrote about my letter writing habit (one letter a day in 2019!) if you're curious to read more about it/get inspired to write more letters :). (https://shannonhood.substack.com/p/why-i-wrote-hundreds-of-handwritten)
Thank you, Shannon! I absolutely agree with you! When I spend more time doing the things I love (even when I am super busy), the temptation to give in to mindless scrolling seems to disappear almost completely! It's when I think I am "too busy" to find time to read, write, hike, or enjoy a leisurely evening that I end up spending even more time wasting online.
Great work as usual, Rachel. I highly recommend some kind of intentional listening environment if you’re as into music as it seems. I’ve spent a few years building up my stereo system and I can’t recommend it enough, especially if you’re trying to engage more intentionally with the medium. Doesn’t have to be through vinyl either - I’ve been digging out my old CD’s lately. For me, having a quality set of speakers really exposes the artistry in a wide variety of genres, but you definitely don’t have to break the bank to get there.
Thank you, Ben! You make a very good point that I should intentionally preserve and pursue this passion of mine. It's been gnawing at me for some time that I need to assess music in my life and determine how to cultivate my taste and musical appreciation. Perhaps I'll have to move this up on my priority list...
You might enjoy the youtuber Sideways. He was a really great intro to theory as someone who never really had a knack for the mechanics of music. His video about the score for A Nightmare Before Christmas is outstanding.
Great piece Rachel :) Peco and I are just completing our post on "Fasting from the Virtual and Feasting on the Real" in preparation for our communal digital fast. I'll link your piece for additional ideas that participants can draw on.
Thank you, Ruth! I appreciate it greatly! When I joined Substack last summer it was such a delight to see how so many of my thoughts and ideas are widely discussed and esteemed here. Your writings especially gave me hope. Thank you for the wonderful role you have in this endeavor!
Luisa, I feel the pain! Even without social media, the prevalence of technology in our lives makes it hard to experience the sense of freedom that we long for. Though sometimes I wonder if we over romanticize that freedom without understanding it fully. Like most things in life, it seems to come down to practicing prudence and being open to adaption throughout various stages of life.