Even as I’m downgrading the role of online time in my life, I remain grateful for spaces like this one and the connections I’ve made here. They’re real - just not the whole of us. ❤️
A beautiful piece and beautiful reminder Dana. So much has changed in how we're living in such a short window of time. Our bodies are left reeling and struggling to adapt. Even 5 years ago (pre-COVID), I would have never considered working online and yet now a proportion of each week is spent in online sessions.... I continually have to place boundaries around myself and screens. It's so much harder than food, alcohol, or any of the other addictive mediums. This one really seems to be the toughest pattern to crack. Appreciate your thoughtful reminder and vivid depiction of the 3-dimensional alternative ❤️
That’s such a great point about the past five years and working online, Vicki. While my writing work has always been remote, I was teaching college and serving as a dean mostly online from 2020 through 2023. Things really changed during that time.
And me, too: shifting my online habits has been way harder than quitting alcohol and changing my eating habits. Cheering you on with it all. ❤️
Hi Dana, I'm actually going through something similar -- trying to keep the internet use down to a dull roar. Gardening season approaches, and I want to spend more time tending the garden, and being with other people in person.
Gah, I needed this essay on this particular day. Thank you, Dana.
This line - “and then leave—getting back to the rest of my life.” I paused there and felt a bit of a lump in my throat. Because look at all we are missing! The rest of my life is waiting for me to look up. To move in pace with it. It goes on whether I notice or not.
Thanks for sharing all you notice. Such a beautiful essay.
So beautifully articulated. I have been feeling the same way, slipping in and out of online life, trying for more out and far less in. Will be rereading this many times for inspiration and strength. Thank you.
So grateful for this essay, Dana. My longing to make real life primary has reached an internal breaking point. You've inspired me to make some commitments, understanding that this is my life and ultimately I'm responsible.
Hi Dana, My spirit team killed my TV more than a year ago. I had already gone off social media except my FB sobriety group by that point, and at the end of January, I went off FB too. I had started to feel misalignment with even the energy of getting on FB just to check in with my beloved sobriety group.
When I started my business last year, all my mentors were steering me toward FB or IG. “What’s Substack?” They would ask me, about my desire to begin writing here. “How will you market?”
Looking back, I am so grateful I did not enter into the invisible agreement with Meta, the actual terms of which, if written down as a business agreement, would scare off even the most business savvy individual. That’s not me, but my intuition strongly steered me away. Free marketing? Free clients? Nothing is free, even I knew that!
I am happy to see you living life and grateful you are sharing with us here! 💓🙏🏽
Even as I’m downgrading the role of online time in my life, I remain grateful for spaces like this one and the connections I’ve made here. They’re real - just not the whole of us. ❤️
A beautiful piece and beautiful reminder Dana. So much has changed in how we're living in such a short window of time. Our bodies are left reeling and struggling to adapt. Even 5 years ago (pre-COVID), I would have never considered working online and yet now a proportion of each week is spent in online sessions.... I continually have to place boundaries around myself and screens. It's so much harder than food, alcohol, or any of the other addictive mediums. This one really seems to be the toughest pattern to crack. Appreciate your thoughtful reminder and vivid depiction of the 3-dimensional alternative ❤️
That’s such a great point about the past five years and working online, Vicki. While my writing work has always been remote, I was teaching college and serving as a dean mostly online from 2020 through 2023. Things really changed during that time.
And me, too: shifting my online habits has been way harder than quitting alcohol and changing my eating habits. Cheering you on with it all. ❤️
Hi Dana, I'm actually going through something similar -- trying to keep the internet use down to a dull roar. Gardening season approaches, and I want to spend more time tending the garden, and being with other people in person.
Thanks for posting.
Spending time tending the garden sounds deeply nourishing, Diana. Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure, Dana.
I wonder how many of us are tiring of so much screen time. Happy gardening, Maia.
I felt such a visceral release in my body and nervous system just reading the description of life off the screen. Thank you. More of this please. 💜
You got it. So much love to you, Steve. ❤️
Stop yelling at me.
{just kidding}
Gah, I needed this essay on this particular day. Thank you, Dana.
This line - “and then leave—getting back to the rest of my life.” I paused there and felt a bit of a lump in my throat. Because look at all we are missing! The rest of my life is waiting for me to look up. To move in pace with it. It goes on whether I notice or not.
Thanks for sharing all you notice. Such a beautiful essay.
Thank you so much, Allison. And, believe me, I need the same message. ❤️
So beautifully articulated. I have been feeling the same way, slipping in and out of online life, trying for more out and far less in. Will be rereading this many times for inspiration and strength. Thank you.
Thanks so much, MTB. Wishing you much clarity with it all.
So grateful for this essay, Dana. My longing to make real life primary has reached an internal breaking point. You've inspired me to make some commitments, understanding that this is my life and ultimately I'm responsible.
I love hearing that so much, Gail. Thank you for being here and sharing.
Just beautiful. Thank you, Dana🙏.
Thank you, Jenny. Hearts to you!
Such beautiful and wise writing 🙏🏽
Thank you, Lucy. All the hearts to you!
I love this. I walk this line. The fit with my writing…my natural bent for multi media…collage…the need for balance…
Thank you, Kelly. Sending wishes for harmony and clarity with it all.
Thank you, dear Dana. xo
xoxo to you, Val. ❤️
And yes very well said. I notice my attn span waning. It’s hard to sit still through a 2 hr movie w/out pausing to glance @ ph (at home I mean).
Thanks, Chris. And oof, yes - the shift in attention spans.
Now I’m curious about Thai soaps😝😎
They’re wild... and addictive!
Beautiful Dana. I recognize the patterns too. I’ve taken steps but there’s more to do.
From your essay—so simple:
“We might blame and complain, yet we continue.”
Thanks for this honest and wonderful view of your new home. I’m smitten.
Thanks so much, Dee. Wishing you much clarity and next right steps with it all.
🙏
Hi Dana, My spirit team killed my TV more than a year ago. I had already gone off social media except my FB sobriety group by that point, and at the end of January, I went off FB too. I had started to feel misalignment with even the energy of getting on FB just to check in with my beloved sobriety group.
When I started my business last year, all my mentors were steering me toward FB or IG. “What’s Substack?” They would ask me, about my desire to begin writing here. “How will you market?”
Looking back, I am so grateful I did not enter into the invisible agreement with Meta, the actual terms of which, if written down as a business agreement, would scare off even the most business savvy individual. That’s not me, but my intuition strongly steered me away. Free marketing? Free clients? Nothing is free, even I knew that!
I am happy to see you living life and grateful you are sharing with us here! 💓🙏🏽
You ramain a beacon of light.