Disconnection - A Necessary Choice

The world moves quickly, switching between norms and societal values like a teenager pulling clothes from their closet in preparation for a first date, never quite able to find something to wear regardless of the endless options before them. It can be difficult to keep up with at times, and mentally exhausting to follow along with the ever changing plot. Most days I feel like I need to sit down with a pen and paper whenever I come across the news so I can furiously jot down notes - “will the severe decline and decomposition of our political structure be on the test tomorrow?”

It is almost impossible to escape the constant barrage of information and devastation that seems to follow us from one social media platform over to another. Do you recall the days when TikTok was a fun application that allowed us to share skits and short, 30 second clips of dancing to the latest bop? How about when Facebook was just a silly website that allowed us to connect, find out what Aunt Janet was eating for supper, and share photos of our pets wearing embarrassing little outfits?

These days, I find myself gravitating further and further away from social media. Many of these platforms have become so filled with toxicity and mis-information regarding major events happening around the world that it is difficult to separate the true facts from exaggerated fiction and embellished bullshit. That is not to say that I avoid it altogether, as I do still try my best to remain active in areas where I can promote and chronicle my writing journey, however, I do tend to keep my distance where and when possible. 

As I mature, my phone has become much like myself, a silent observer to the world around me. I wake up each day and question what I can do to slow down, and how I can live more intentionally in a world that is obsessed with overconsumption and forcing people into the trendiest molds that only serve to detract, distract and put money into the pockets of large corporations. Choosing to live intentionally is a challenge in this day and age. Choosing to put down the various means of technology that we have become so accustomed to is a difficult choice to make, and a difficult practice to put into place, when technology is something that holds such presence in everyday life. 

Because of this, I have made the decision to actively step back and implement some healthy changes that will reduce my exposure to the constant barrage of technology and the overall negativity that seems to be everywhere on social media. I have effectively made the switch to analogue means of note-taking, scheduling of appointments and taking time to have more meaningful, in-person conversations. This change in particular has limited the amount of times I reach for my phone during the day, which more often than not leads down the rabbit hole of mind-numbing scrolling through applications. In terms of my writing journey, while I still use the modern day word processors like google docs and scrivener, I have recently begun using my Freewrite Traveler (an e-ink, offline, word processor) as opposed to these other options, and only transferring my documents over once I’m ready to complete edits and revision. This has increased my productivity and efficiency as an aspiring writer by removing the possible distractions that plague the common laptop ownership. 

Of course, as I chronicle my writing journey and work on my current and future projects, technology is necessary. While technology still plays a role in my life, my intention is to find other ways of accomplishing my goals and remaining active to a certain extent, without wholly giving myself over to the cacophony of applications and “time-saving” devices. When given the choice between sitting outside and reading a physical book, or scrolling through my phone, I will make a conscious effort everyday to choose the option that will limit my screen time.

Will this improve my mental health, allow me to become more in tune with the physical world, and my writing journey? That certainly is the hope I hold.

Hanna B.