Chronically Offline
With the addition of my dumbphone, I've started to notice I've been offline a lot more. I think this approach has helped my mental health.
I talked to my therapist about it, and I told him how I feel like being constantly connected at all times isn't good for our brains. To which he agreed, and even envied my adoption of a dumbphone.
The internet used to be a place. A sectioned off office, a designated "computer room", or just a set desk somewhere in the house. You didn't have it in your pocket at all times. You had to physically go to this specific space in order to access it.
I've started to go a bit more analogue or at the least using more offline tech. My Sony Walkman, my iPod, reading physical books, listening to CDs, watching movies off of DVDs, etc. It's done a pretty good job at preventing me from doom scrolling.
I've started to try and make a conscious effort to be more mindful of my internet usage. When I go onto reddit, I do it to go to a specific subreddit for a specific reason, not to simply fill the empty space in my boredom. I keep my internet usage relatively tunneled. I use a browser extension to remove the home page on youtube and redirect me to my subscriptions. I check what looks interesting to watch. If I can't find something from my rotation, I close the browser and go to a standard music playlist. Usually something in the "easy listening" category.
The Ways I Stay Offline
- Keep media such as movies and shows on an accessible on a USB.
- Switch to analogue/offline media tools (the aforementioned walkman/iPod)
- Keep internet usage purely onto a computer that is placed in a set location. (Laptop is fine for convenience)
- Being mindful of my internet usage, and trying to only go online for a certain purpose (checking in with friends on discord, checking events in clubs, etc.)
- Being okay without having to get immediate answers
Changes I've Noticed
- My childhood creativity is coming back. Being able to imagine something out of nothing. Create little tunes. Generate creative ideas for my hobbies.
- More present with loved ones
- Generally out of the loop on events.
- Less anger or stress in general
It's Okay to be "Out of the Loop"
I already know the current administration is ran by vile morons. I don't need that constant reminder every day of my life. The media has kinda failed us and is just trying to serve you a constant buffet of spaghetti and rage sauce. You don't need it. You can't really do anything about it immediately anyway, so why fixate on it? Emotion without direction is just aggressively spinning your wheels in mud.
I'll get the news maybe a day or two late. I hear what happens from my friends. I take some time to form my thoughts on it, then I sit with it or forget about it. I don't feel this pressure to post my immediate "hot take".
You don't have to be Amish
You don't have to be 100% offline all the time. Just recognize that the internet is a tool. You have to be aware that this tool is being designed to keep you hooked, you have to constantly fight the tricks on your psyche.
Final thoughts
I'm moving towards a different direction in my life. A direction that tries to prioritize simplicity, joy, empathy, presence, and acceptance. I think remaining offline and going more "retro" has helped enable that. And I'm already seeing the benefits.
Pirate is wearing black pants, plain black shirt, all-black converse
Pirate is feeling good. Slept well, and got coffee from his favorite coffee shop this morning.
Pirate is listening to Graduation by Kanye West on a bootleg CD he made. (He's made a point to make sure West doesn't receive a DIME)
Pirate accomplished fixing his Sony Walkman. Couldn't figure out why it sounded slow. Had it set to Type II cassettes rather than Type I.\
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