Cutting Away the Gristle

It’s been a long time since I’ve written here. I feel kinda bad about that, but I’m not going to beat myself over it, that really would be pointless. This blog is just as much for me as it is for the potential reader, which means I’m not taking the time for myself. It has dawned on me that taking this blog time for me is not only good for the ole’ noggin, but for my creative business as well. In other words, I should take it more seriously. However, there is something that I think will help: removing social media from my mobile phone.

If I haven’t said it before, I kinda hate social media. In truth, I think it’s made us lazy. We’ve forgotten that social media is simply a tool, but the tool has been using us. Many years ago, I has a conversation with my mom where we discussed the notion of the “overnight success.” We figured that it took about 20 years to become said “success”. One of my favorite TV shows as a kid was Mission Impossible. I clearly remember thinking how mature the actors looked then. Mission Impossible was a big show during its time, quite expensive I heard, and they got great actors for the roles. They probably looked mature because at that point they had been plugging away at the acting thing for many many years before landing a great gig. Social media, among other things, has distorted our sense of real time. Folks can become overnight successes, that’s true, but with all the issues that come with it. Namely, having to feed the beast that is the Fame Monster. If anyone can recall the sudden success of child actors throughout history will know that many of those kids face pretty terrible futures because they couldn’t handle the sudden deluge of fame that came too quickly, not to mention being locked into the idea of being a child and not being allowed to grow up and mature. Now, I don’t think it needs to take 20 years anymore, we’re no longer living the past, and social media can speed up the process. But again, we have to remember to use it, not the other way around.

It’s why I had to do something about this thing that wants my time and eyeballs. To be frank, I DO NOT want to spend more time on my phone, but in reality, way less. Social media, and I’m looking at you Instagram, became the equivalent of that chewy, tough, impossible to get through piece of gristle that looked manageable from the outside, but in reality made me give up and spit it out. I was neglecting my journaling, my blog, my hands and arms were going soft from lack of writing, as well as my lovely wrinkled brain, which was probably smoothing out like a damn grape. I was also tired of being used like some lab rat by the Social Media Overlords, all the while they’re generating tons of revenue monetizing our time, rage, and addictions. I felt like the mouse in the maze running after the cheddar, while the Overlords moved the position of the cheese when they saw fit. There is also something that occurred to me: having social media on our mobiles gives the false and dangerous message that we’re ALWAYS AVAILABLE, which is both impossible and damaging.

We’ve also come to believe that as artists we NEED social media. I only believe that to a degree. There do exist successful folks who don’t have social media accounts, but for many of us some help is needed. Since removing Instagram from my phone, I’ve felt relief actually. Now, if I want to access my account, I have to open my laptop, which by the way is not as “fun and accessible.” I’m treating it like a tool on the job. I don’t walk around with a hammer in my pocket all the time, no, I keep it in the toolbox. And therein lies the point: it’s my continuous journey towards a digital and analog balance. My journals were a way to unplug, and so here I am continuing the march.

I’m also trying to do my part: I’m trying to reach out more to REAL people, spending time viewing art in person, giving more thought to my future, and of course, giving my art and writing the time it deserves. When my hands are busy, my mind is free. But that statement only applies when I creating something, art, a meal, analog writing and correspondence, not doomscrolling. We’re losing the beauty of our humanity. We’re viewing the time it takes to slow down and gather our thoughts as something to be ashamed of, but giving too much time to indulge our lesser angels. Finding a balance is not easy, I know, but we’ve got to try. Like I said before, I write here for me as much as for the potential reader, without having to feel like I have to refresh the page to see how many likes it’s received.

I know I’m in the minority, but it kinda feels nice. And besides, it’s tiring trying to keep up with everyone else.

I think the ole’ noggin approves.

Thanks for stopping by, be well, and Happy New Year!

Jos