Also in seriousness the more time I spend away from social media the less I think I’ll return. I dabble in Notes here but it gives me the creeps for the same reasons I have left all other platforms. It is so nice to be in one’s own head and chosen universe, which is already full of interesting people and ideas and experiences. The false idea of the need for social media as a writer has I think fucked up many careers, but that’s another conversation.
The Notes app feels dead and just far too...sincere...for me? I occasionally dabble too but don't feel sucked in. Thank goodness! Honestly, more and more, being offline feels like a true flex.
I have found really interesting patterns when I delete IG from my phone - I still end up on the phone .. just using it differently. There is something *I* need to figure out about dealing with boredom and how I actually rest.
This year, I deleted anything on my phone that had an endless scroll feature so Instagram, the Substack app, Facebook (which I only used for Facebook marketplace) are all gone. It felt like a good rule of thumb. Anything that endlessly scrolls is not healthy and I am mad that Substack subscribes to this feature as well.
Now if I want to check in on things, I have to go the computer, which I don't do often as I spend all my non working time with my child or doing chores or exercising or seeing friends or reading or watching a little TV if I can manage it. I check Instagram once a day to see what friends are up to and that's enough / sometimes too much (the war to vacation whiplash is insanity).
I looked into a dumb phone this year but this feels like the right balance for now. Loved this essay so much.
I've never used the Substack app, and way back in the beginning didn't like the Facebook app so I've always just used the desktop version. But, unlike you, I can check a website again and again and AGAIN. It's stupidly all or nothing for me. Thank you for reading!
“Sometimes, she pretends to film herself, using a Chuck E. Cheese game card as her pretend phone. She starts her fake video with, “Hey guys.” She urges you to like and subscribe.”
And she isn't even online! Mickey told me kids play Minecraft on the playground...in kindergarten. He plays too...even though he's never played the real game. Ha.
Did you notice at some point people started saying 1000%? I have been off IG since 2016 for the reason you explained--I didn't like the feeling of taking a photo and then wondering if I should post it. I don't miss it though it does feel strange sometimes to not participate in a habit that is so popular. I recently deleted the substack app from my phone because I was scrolling notes and reading random essays that I didn't necessarily want to spend 20 minutes reading even though they were perfectly interesting. This makes me sound so old, but I really miss magazines! You could get to the end of them. And then they wouldn't come for a week or two. Or even a whole month.
Yes—ugh 1000% Like cliche inflation! I know I will miss Instagram when I’m gone for the year. So many Instagram-specific friendships there, and funny memes, etc. Oh well, it must be done. I have never tried the Substack app for reasons you describe. I still love my New Yorker print subscription.
One hundred percent!
I’m sorry! I had to! Forgive me!
Also in seriousness the more time I spend away from social media the less I think I’ll return. I dabble in Notes here but it gives me the creeps for the same reasons I have left all other platforms. It is so nice to be in one’s own head and chosen universe, which is already full of interesting people and ideas and experiences. The false idea of the need for social media as a writer has I think fucked up many careers, but that’s another conversation.
The Notes app feels dead and just far too...sincere...for me? I occasionally dabble too but don't feel sucked in. Thank goodness! Honestly, more and more, being offline feels like a true flex.
Nooooo
I have found really interesting patterns when I delete IG from my phone - I still end up on the phone .. just using it differently. There is something *I* need to figure out about dealing with boredom and how I actually rest.
Yes, I definitely seek out some other garbage thing. We all have that dead patch of grass in the brain, I guess. xoxo
This year, I deleted anything on my phone that had an endless scroll feature so Instagram, the Substack app, Facebook (which I only used for Facebook marketplace) are all gone. It felt like a good rule of thumb. Anything that endlessly scrolls is not healthy and I am mad that Substack subscribes to this feature as well.
Now if I want to check in on things, I have to go the computer, which I don't do often as I spend all my non working time with my child or doing chores or exercising or seeing friends or reading or watching a little TV if I can manage it. I check Instagram once a day to see what friends are up to and that's enough / sometimes too much (the war to vacation whiplash is insanity).
I looked into a dumb phone this year but this feels like the right balance for now. Loved this essay so much.
I've never used the Substack app, and way back in the beginning didn't like the Facebook app so I've always just used the desktop version. But, unlike you, I can check a website again and again and AGAIN. It's stupidly all or nothing for me. Thank you for reading!
“Sometimes, she pretends to film herself, using a Chuck E. Cheese game card as her pretend phone. She starts her fake video with, “Hey guys.” She urges you to like and subscribe.”
Okay this was haunting.
And she isn't even online! Mickey told me kids play Minecraft on the playground...in kindergarten. He plays too...even though he's never played the real game. Ha.
Did you notice at some point people started saying 1000%? I have been off IG since 2016 for the reason you explained--I didn't like the feeling of taking a photo and then wondering if I should post it. I don't miss it though it does feel strange sometimes to not participate in a habit that is so popular. I recently deleted the substack app from my phone because I was scrolling notes and reading random essays that I didn't necessarily want to spend 20 minutes reading even though they were perfectly interesting. This makes me sound so old, but I really miss magazines! You could get to the end of them. And then they wouldn't come for a week or two. Or even a whole month.
Yes—ugh 1000% Like cliche inflation! I know I will miss Instagram when I’m gone for the year. So many Instagram-specific friendships there, and funny memes, etc. Oh well, it must be done. I have never tried the Substack app for reasons you describe. I still love my New Yorker print subscription.
Yes! I am doing the same and can already feel the difference.
Yay, solidarity!!!
Yes! Spread the good word.
You are the trailblazer!
Filing this one away ✍️
So good!
Beautifully put. I think about these same things all the time, but then am pulled back in. Are you going to keep writing on Substack?
Yes! I don't use the Substack app and I don't find the notes at all addictive (or compelling, ha).