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This morning I opened my email to a collection of 7 newsletters or articles that sounded interesting to me. I read them all. Here’s what I’m taking away from them: …which reminds me of an experience I had a couple weeks ago. I don’t keep the instagram app itself on my phone except for when I want to post something - the more clunky version of insta on safari or from my computer help to diminish addictive tendencies. But a couple weeks ago, I downloaded the app, posted some pics from my recent trip to a retreat in Florida…cut to two days later, app still present, I’m laying on my own massage table after receiving bodywork. She left, I grabbed my phone, and went into an instagram reel hole FOR AN ENTIRE HOUR. As per yooshj, there was all the absolute mind numbing mumbo jumbo….BUT WAIT ALSO, there was so much inspiration!!! There were creative recipes!!! Inspiring voices!!! Moving scenes that elicited passion and curiosity!! Inspo for wholesome activities like fermenting/pickling at home! ARTS AND CRAFTS!!! Finally, I broke the spell, and went upstairs. I reflected on what I had just taken in/consumed. Here’s what I can tell you I took from that hour of scrolling: …which is exactly what I thought when I went upstairs. It had JUST happened, and I was like…shit! there was so much goodness that passed through…what was it again?? Which brought me to an idea. An experiment. I haven’t done it yet - but let’s explore the concept. The idea is, I sit down for an intentional scroll sesh, with a notebook and pen by my side. When I come upon content that inspires me, I take note of it. Perhaps there are some simple bullet points, perhaps some content can elicit a paragraph of self reflection. Obviously this experiment would slow. me. down. I would take in less content, and yet I’d be likely relating with it more deeply. This might sound a little silly. It sounds a little silly to me. like, yeah, the point is: Slow down, Be Mindful, Relate more deeply with what I take in. which obviously are concepts until put into practice. and there are of course, soooo many ways to put these ideas into practice, no instagram needed. …but it just had me thinking about how normalized this mass media consumption is in our lives. like drinking out of a water hose as they say. If you are reading this, hi! HELLO! YES YOU!! This is content that you are choosing to take in. That’s cool! Thank you for reading!! As you read what I am sharing, how is it touching you? What’s coming to mind about your own media consumption habits? Hit reply, consider it your notebook and pen, and let me know. We are in this together. Let’s all not be surprised if I don’t permanently adopt my cool-new-approach to scrolling instagram where I’m slowing down and writing down the recipes (and then making them), writing essays of reflection on posts I read, and starting new hobbies after every scroll sesh. BUT/AND: I want to bring more mindfulness to what I’m taking in, how I’m taking it in, and how I’m relating to it. Join me if you’d like in whatever ways sound interesting to you! If this email sparked something in you, hit reply and just type the word MINDFUL (or say more). It’s nice for me to know who is resonating with what I share. ♡ with love, mari
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