I love Stephen King, he's just such a good storyteller!
I'll be interested to hear more about your social media shifts. I left regular usage of infinite scroll platforms behind earlier this year and I've been much better for it. I miss connecting with people on IG, but I just can't justify everything else that goes along with it. One of the best perks has been a return to a better reading life! It's incredible how much time we lose to scrolling.
I do think I remember seeing you post about being off Instagram, so is that permanent for you? I've realized there's a few people I do miss quite a bit. I wish we could be on there and have the choice to have no ads and just see the people we want to see. Wishful thinking. You're so right about the amount of time spent scrolling. I've realized even though a lot of what I was looking at was books, art, and inspiration it was still soooo much time spent staring at my phone and not reading
I think it's permanent for now at least. When I left it wasn't even a conscious choice. I had been fed up with a number of things for a while and one day early in the year I just stepped back. I felt so much better taking time away that I just really haven't been able to go back even if I wanted to. I pop on every now and again to check messages or look at something specific and any time I do I'm very quickly reminded of why I don't like to spend time there. It's really very frustrating bc there is a cost in stepping back and these platforms depend on that. I've lost touch with book friends I really did enjoy interacting with. Unfortunately I just can't justify the cost of being there at this time. It would be a totally different cost/benefit if we had more control over what we see and interact with but it's very intentionally not about that. I shouldn't have to work so hard to interact with community of my choosing. I realize now I'm trying to use the platform in a way it's no longer functional for. It's all very frustrating but I do have control over whether I participate in the platform and/or create content for it and at this time it's just not something I can do. I'm always very interested to hear other ppl who are in similar circumstances.
You're exactly right, we should be able to see and interact with who we choose to like how it used to be. Unfortunately those days are long gone. It's sad. I'm glad you made the choice that felt right for you
I’m reading this a few days late, but it could not be more timely! We had the same feelings about RUNNING and SEASCRAPER. I also just started A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF in print, but I actually may wait for the full cast audio, even though it will be a few more weeks. Amelia‘s Substack last week also really resonated with me and I shared it as well! Thanks as always for the great reviews and the great links! I’ll be eager to hear your review of A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF when you’re done.
This is the worst season of LIB (IMO), none of them should get married! The 2 UK seasons are really good - Seems like most of them are actually there for the right reasons.
I deleted my social media (all I had was Instagram) in January, and it was the right decision for me. (Obviously I'm on Substack, but I only use it on my desktop computer and I only read newsletters, not the Notes feed). I do occasionally miss seeing pictures of close friends, family, friends with kids, etc., but the pros outweigh the cons for me. I've asked all my close friends and family to send me pictures via text, and I love when they do! I want to still be updated on everyone's lives, but in more personal ways. I've also started sending long emails, voice memos, and letters back and forth with friends, which feels like a much more fulfilling and productive way to keep up. The time I've gotten back is great, and I feel mentally better too!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, i would love to get into letter writing with friends. Time- and getting back so much of it- is one of my biggest takeaways of being off IG so far
I love Stephen King, he's just such a good storyteller!
I'll be interested to hear more about your social media shifts. I left regular usage of infinite scroll platforms behind earlier this year and I've been much better for it. I miss connecting with people on IG, but I just can't justify everything else that goes along with it. One of the best perks has been a return to a better reading life! It's incredible how much time we lose to scrolling.
I do think I remember seeing you post about being off Instagram, so is that permanent for you? I've realized there's a few people I do miss quite a bit. I wish we could be on there and have the choice to have no ads and just see the people we want to see. Wishful thinking. You're so right about the amount of time spent scrolling. I've realized even though a lot of what I was looking at was books, art, and inspiration it was still soooo much time spent staring at my phone and not reading
I think it's permanent for now at least. When I left it wasn't even a conscious choice. I had been fed up with a number of things for a while and one day early in the year I just stepped back. I felt so much better taking time away that I just really haven't been able to go back even if I wanted to. I pop on every now and again to check messages or look at something specific and any time I do I'm very quickly reminded of why I don't like to spend time there. It's really very frustrating bc there is a cost in stepping back and these platforms depend on that. I've lost touch with book friends I really did enjoy interacting with. Unfortunately I just can't justify the cost of being there at this time. It would be a totally different cost/benefit if we had more control over what we see and interact with but it's very intentionally not about that. I shouldn't have to work so hard to interact with community of my choosing. I realize now I'm trying to use the platform in a way it's no longer functional for. It's all very frustrating but I do have control over whether I participate in the platform and/or create content for it and at this time it's just not something I can do. I'm always very interested to hear other ppl who are in similar circumstances.
You're exactly right, we should be able to see and interact with who we choose to like how it used to be. Unfortunately those days are long gone. It's sad. I'm glad you made the choice that felt right for you
thank you for linking to my "Manifesto!"
You’re welcome, I enjoyed reading it. I’m in midlife so much of it spoke to me
I'm so glad!
I’m reading this a few days late, but it could not be more timely! We had the same feelings about RUNNING and SEASCRAPER. I also just started A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF in print, but I actually may wait for the full cast audio, even though it will be a few more weeks. Amelia‘s Substack last week also really resonated with me and I shared it as well! Thanks as always for the great reviews and the great links! I’ll be eager to hear your review of A GUARDIAN AND A THIEF when you’re done.
I finished A Guardian and a Thief, I'll message you!
Please do! Something is holding me back so I’d love your thoughts.
I also love stories about missing people while hiking or in national parks, this reminded me of Untamed haha
This is the worst season of LIB (IMO), none of them should get married! The 2 UK seasons are really good - Seems like most of them are actually there for the right reasons.
I haven’t watched the UK series, sounds like I should
I deleted my social media (all I had was Instagram) in January, and it was the right decision for me. (Obviously I'm on Substack, but I only use it on my desktop computer and I only read newsletters, not the Notes feed). I do occasionally miss seeing pictures of close friends, family, friends with kids, etc., but the pros outweigh the cons for me. I've asked all my close friends and family to send me pictures via text, and I love when they do! I want to still be updated on everyone's lives, but in more personal ways. I've also started sending long emails, voice memos, and letters back and forth with friends, which feels like a much more fulfilling and productive way to keep up. The time I've gotten back is great, and I feel mentally better too!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, i would love to get into letter writing with friends. Time- and getting back so much of it- is one of my biggest takeaways of being off IG so far
So many great book lists, thank you!
I’m all caught up on LIB so I’ll message you tomorrow. What a mess!!