It’s an unsettled feeling. You must be busy, your hands are idle, and the time is ticking away. But, you’re tired. You’re a bit overworked, and your brain needs a break from logistics. Still you hope to find inspiration, so you open “the” app. You scroll for 5 mins, looking for a spark. You see several AI ‘artists’ not labeled as such, you see lots of beautiful people and even more beautiful words. Smiles, and a perceived depth in the squares. But it doesn’t quite hit. 5 minutes turns to 10, and then you realize your eyes now match the brain fog. They’re strained, strung out, and you have a similar feeling to having done lots of brain work, without anything to show for it. And you have nothing left for your own creativity. Depleted in a mere 10 minutes.
Lately, the main drag is socials. not real ones, or in slang terms IRL. But the ones masquerading as your interactions for the day. That comment, that scroll, that video or meme that seems oh so tailored just for you, that moment of small internet clout, a like, a heart, a comment. Then.. crickets. Until the next thing that takes attention but gives nothing substantial.
People use these things for real connection. They use these platforms for work, play, meeting new people. Not all just want your time and money, and some, dare I say it, really give back. The connections made aren’t all superficial and do lead to real friendships with real people, real opportunities, and real paychecks. There are many ways to connect in the modern age, foster genuine and necessary relationships with others. The distraction factor though, is so so high. And if done improperly, the effects are real. Your attention muscle atrophies, communication too.
There are ways to use these platforms, if you must use them. There are ways to find community, true inspiration, and purpose, that don’t all need to be IRL. So, I’m working through boundaries for what the tools can be, both personally and professionally, because that feeling above is all too familiar. It’s a cycle I’ve broken, and one I don’t want repaired. Space to breathe, to communicate, to sit with my thoughts. Intention behind my digital involvement. NO hard and fast rules, just mindfulness. I don’t want brainpower senselessly tapped into anymore.
