Great writing Charlie! In answer to your last questions I have done a social media detox several times and each time have felt better, then resolved to use it more mindfully but be sucked back in. Vicious circle. I wouldn’t say I’m an excessive tech user: I can’t sit & watch tv back to back, or just sit staring at SM for hours, and I don’t continually have Spotify etc on in the background. However when I do use pretty much anything screen related I feel my battery draining. There’re some things that don’t drain it so quickly so say watching a YouTube whilst I have something to eat, or learning online like q course or listening to a podcast to motivate with cleaning doesn’t, but if even watch say 3 TikTok videos I’m wiped, or if I spend 15 mins or something on Instagram or catch up with long messages, I feel buzzy & unwell. How I can imagine someone high might feel as they start to come down. I would just love a world where we weren’t so reliant on it all & if we all put our smartphones in a fire I’d be quite happy, so for me it points to that it’s that I fear I will not ‘keep up’ (a wound of mine from childhood continuing now). I find your ideas of magazine subscriptions, using paper planners and doing activities such as art, reading & listening to CDs so refreshing. It’s one reason I do analogue art as a rule (unless for a specific purpose like I am trying to draw a tattoo idea from a photo), I like to do recipes from a book/cut out (rather than online), and do SM free weekends but I am beginning to wonder if I should rethink it. Thanks for sharing your musings on this, it’s wonderful to hear of someone with a similar attitude!
Thanks Han! It sounds like you have a great awareness of how these things make you feel - that's definitely something I'm working on becoming more conscious of. The vicious circle of resolving to do things differently and falling back into the same traps is very relatable, and it is this issue that Cal Newport's quote I shared in this post speaks to - it makes so much sense to me that because these things are so addictive it requires a wholesale values shift not just a 'cut back'. I love love love that you do analogue art as a rule, that's so refreshing - and you're making me wonder if cooking would be more appealing to me if I had just one physical recipe book that I use (I get so overwhelmed by the thousands of possibilities available online!). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this, I agree it's really lovely to connect over similar approaches in a world that seems to be only going in one technologically charged direction!
It is such a valuable point that Cal Newport speaks of (it sort of reminds me how when you get out of autistic burnout you can’t really ‘go back to normal’ or else you’ll just end up burning out again?). I like how you put it in terms of values rather than habits too, as it really helps to put into perspective why we are using it? I absolutely love digital art to look at but for me analogue is a way to be still and more meditative (also allows irreversible imperfections - which I am working on 🙈). Oo yes, and something good to do is if you do find a recipe you like online just print it out and put in a binder or write it from online! At home we have just some ‘favourites’ which have been found online & tend to stick to! Hey who knows too, perhaps if enough of us connect over these ways of being around technology, we could help slow it down or find our own directions ☺️
That's the spirit! I'd like to hope so :) I am the same with learning to become comfortable with irreversible imperfections - it's why even when I want to make a digital piece I always start out in my sketchbook or collaging. I do find it brings me closer to the art, somehow. As you say, it's meditative. Thank you for the recipe tip, love that!!
This topic resonates a lot with me. Over the last couple of years I have tried to minimize and eliminate digital factors in my life several times...and failed every time. Deleting Apps, buying not one but two flip phones, forbidding myself from streaming altogether, set timers, set limits, only allowing myself one streaming service at once, digging up my old dvd player and also buying a portable one, writing list after list of alternatives, and so on and so forth. In the end I always went back to streaming, social media and using my phone and iPad way too much.
I have been wanting to try again for the last couple of months, but didn’t have the guts to really get into it as I have failed so many times. But there is one point that I had not really thought of and that you brought up in your text: the progress in the healing journey. I feel like I might not have been ready in the past. But I think I might be ready to try again now or in the near future. I think I might even take you sharing your plans for 2024 as a sign and start planning my very own digital minimizing strategies that are maybe more attainable and realistic than the ones I tried to achieve in the past. I feel like it was more of a punishment than an act of love and compassion in the past. And as I have been getting better I have also grown more compassionate with myself. And I guess you have to come from a place of love when you want to change anything sustainably.
So thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to hearing/seeing/reading about how your plans turn out and what you learn on your journey of digital minimalism.
This is beautiful Alicia! I was reading your message nodding along - I love the reframe from punishment to act of love and compassion. I feel very much the same way and I'll be keeping that in mind for my journey too, thank you for sharing :)
Good on you! Your words resonate a great deal as I often feel torn between the pull of the online and the sanctuary of the real. But even those two worlds can each be a heaven or a hell - depending on my mood and what I happen to stumble across and how much energy I have to attend to the process of being (and staying) present. I need constant reminders. And sometimes I feel like a failure for it. Sometimes I wish I could just throw my phone in the bin and forget it ever existed... but the world doesn’t make that so easy. At least that’s what I tell myself.
Thanks Louisa! Your musings here mirror those in my own mind... it is certainly the case that the world doesn't make not having a smartphone easy (in fact I would argue it's impossible because of the need for things like online banking). I'm experimenting with a dumbphone at the moment, and whilst I love it so far it's clear to me that I also need a smartphone in my drawer at home as a back-up for those days where I need to access things like online banking. We are in many ways trapped by these technological structures, so I like to try to have self-compassion in understanding that.
I've thought about this a lot and I think I'll be exploring ways to revamp the way I use technology throughout this year. I plan on making an effort to be on my own more, and I want to be mindful of the way I spend that time when I get it. I'm looking forward to reading more about your experience with your detox!
Wonderful, good luck! It's lovely that there seem to be a group of us who are on a similar wavelength with this, so we can share our experiences and keep ourselves accountable in a loving and compassionate way.
Your artwork is really beautiful, Charlie. It touches me and I relate so much to it. Looking forward to see more of your art ♡ An your post makes me think, as always. Thanks for the extensive research and great writing about this fascinating subject!
This is so relatable! I'm also autistic, and in my 30s, even over my short life I've witnessed the change of pace and increase in noise/visual busyness. I can't go into supermarkets. I think we desperately need more quiet public spaces for the community, as well as less-stimulating smaller businesses (these seem to only exist in middle-class areas that are often unaffordable to the autistics that arguably need the the most). But we exist in a capitalist hellscape, and no politicians seem to have any vision as to moving away from it, so for now we're just stuck with it, and all we can do is try to live our lives as peacefully and meaningfully as possible.
I'm in the process of cutting out social media. I've kept Instagram for so long because I was so convinced I'd miss out on too much if I let it go, scared I would lose online friendships and lose track of artists I follow. And while I probably will miss out on some posts I would have otherwise liked to keep up with, I know it's going to be so much better for my health to cut out the endless scrolling (which is what I can't keep myself from doing once I've opened the app).
I just have missed out on so much of the present out of fear I'd miss out on something digital. And especially now that I have a child I don't want to set that as an example of what life is like. When I scroll on my phone all day we don't go outside, or read books, or color, because I am further fatiguing my already tired mind and body and have nothing left over.
I'm excited to read books again, and journal, and write my own substack - I've neglected all of my crafts for so many years largely due to the fact that all of my free hours get sucked away staring at one screen or another and I just miss real physical life.
Anyways thank you for sharing about this because your posts on this topic came up right as I was deciding to take this leap myself and it makes me feel less scared and less alone knowing other people are doing it too and feels somehow more achievable with that added layer of solidarity.
Oh Charlie, I adore your writing and your video is a real wake up call for me in the most inspiring way. I’m embarrassed to say but I am absolutely 100% addicted to my phone and technology. Specifically social media. I can relate to the feeling of that constant onslaught of information and as an autistic person I always feel hungry for information because I LOVE learning. But I’m now seeing it’s coming at the price of my wellbeing, my sense of self and my connection to reality. I find the parameters on my phone (blocking apps etc) only work for a while then my adhd brain just overrides them desperately seeking those instant hits of dopamine and it’s EXHAUSTING. I’m really excited to continue watching your journey and I’m going to have a real think about what would be realistic for me also. Thank you x
I love to see more momentum towards LESS digital. Despite my son urging me to get rid off all my notebooks, I am a paper and pen lady. I love my various journals. I enjoyed watching your YouTube post about planners. I went down a rabbit hole of viewing. I am always on the hunt for the "perfect" notebook. I like to try different ones out, I am working on using a smaller size. I use to stock up in the fall when the Composition books ares cheap. They tend to take up a lot of space on my table and backpack, so I am slowly shifting my madness. I have been working in several visual journals over the years. I pull out magazine clippings, words and images to glue in. This helps spark me imagination. I would stay off of social media entirely but I am trying to start an online business. I also live in the middle of nowhere, and I crave connection. I have found Substack to be a perfect place to actually "meet" people who are fascinating, kind and warm. Thank you for sharing.
This is great work Charlie. Over the last year, I’ve also become increasingly aware of how these makes me feel. Irritated , frustrated with people, and a lot more existential dread. I had a friend make a comment that all this is designed to act like a slot machine where we keep staying longer and longer. For whatever reason, this finally made a lot of connections I missed before. I’ve been slowly moving away from all these options and I feel better and better.
Love this!! Just hearing that you are using physical journals, CDs, DVDs, and a film camera took made me nostalgic! I totally hear you about the digital noise- I’ve recognized that my phone contributes to my stress/anxiety/feelings of overwhelm. I am really interested to follow your journey of media minimalism!
I love this and the wording. Digital to analog! I feel inspired. I’ve been on a low social media stint (I only have WhatsApp, Substack messenger on my phone). I have also changed my Facebook and Instagram password so it’s super difficult and is only saved on my laptop 💻 Which reduces my use drastically. But this idea of moving analog is a great idea and wondering if this is something I want to explore as a 2024 project!
Yes! Love the idea of seeing technology as a tool to do what you need it to do, not the other way around, and also the idea of 'digital fatigue'. I struggle with being drawn to the TV in the evening when my energy is at its lowest, but often find it doesn't actually make me feel rested - so you've inspired me to think of other things I can do (or can do after an hour of TV) that will help me to look after myself more and help me wind-down for a restful night's sleep.
Great writing Charlie! In answer to your last questions I have done a social media detox several times and each time have felt better, then resolved to use it more mindfully but be sucked back in. Vicious circle. I wouldn’t say I’m an excessive tech user: I can’t sit & watch tv back to back, or just sit staring at SM for hours, and I don’t continually have Spotify etc on in the background. However when I do use pretty much anything screen related I feel my battery draining. There’re some things that don’t drain it so quickly so say watching a YouTube whilst I have something to eat, or learning online like q course or listening to a podcast to motivate with cleaning doesn’t, but if even watch say 3 TikTok videos I’m wiped, or if I spend 15 mins or something on Instagram or catch up with long messages, I feel buzzy & unwell. How I can imagine someone high might feel as they start to come down. I would just love a world where we weren’t so reliant on it all & if we all put our smartphones in a fire I’d be quite happy, so for me it points to that it’s that I fear I will not ‘keep up’ (a wound of mine from childhood continuing now). I find your ideas of magazine subscriptions, using paper planners and doing activities such as art, reading & listening to CDs so refreshing. It’s one reason I do analogue art as a rule (unless for a specific purpose like I am trying to draw a tattoo idea from a photo), I like to do recipes from a book/cut out (rather than online), and do SM free weekends but I am beginning to wonder if I should rethink it. Thanks for sharing your musings on this, it’s wonderful to hear of someone with a similar attitude!
Thanks Han! It sounds like you have a great awareness of how these things make you feel - that's definitely something I'm working on becoming more conscious of. The vicious circle of resolving to do things differently and falling back into the same traps is very relatable, and it is this issue that Cal Newport's quote I shared in this post speaks to - it makes so much sense to me that because these things are so addictive it requires a wholesale values shift not just a 'cut back'. I love love love that you do analogue art as a rule, that's so refreshing - and you're making me wonder if cooking would be more appealing to me if I had just one physical recipe book that I use (I get so overwhelmed by the thousands of possibilities available online!). Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this, I agree it's really lovely to connect over similar approaches in a world that seems to be only going in one technologically charged direction!
It is such a valuable point that Cal Newport speaks of (it sort of reminds me how when you get out of autistic burnout you can’t really ‘go back to normal’ or else you’ll just end up burning out again?). I like how you put it in terms of values rather than habits too, as it really helps to put into perspective why we are using it? I absolutely love digital art to look at but for me analogue is a way to be still and more meditative (also allows irreversible imperfections - which I am working on 🙈). Oo yes, and something good to do is if you do find a recipe you like online just print it out and put in a binder or write it from online! At home we have just some ‘favourites’ which have been found online & tend to stick to! Hey who knows too, perhaps if enough of us connect over these ways of being around technology, we could help slow it down or find our own directions ☺️
That's the spirit! I'd like to hope so :) I am the same with learning to become comfortable with irreversible imperfections - it's why even when I want to make a digital piece I always start out in my sketchbook or collaging. I do find it brings me closer to the art, somehow. As you say, it's meditative. Thank you for the recipe tip, love that!!
This topic resonates a lot with me. Over the last couple of years I have tried to minimize and eliminate digital factors in my life several times...and failed every time. Deleting Apps, buying not one but two flip phones, forbidding myself from streaming altogether, set timers, set limits, only allowing myself one streaming service at once, digging up my old dvd player and also buying a portable one, writing list after list of alternatives, and so on and so forth. In the end I always went back to streaming, social media and using my phone and iPad way too much.
I have been wanting to try again for the last couple of months, but didn’t have the guts to really get into it as I have failed so many times. But there is one point that I had not really thought of and that you brought up in your text: the progress in the healing journey. I feel like I might not have been ready in the past. But I think I might be ready to try again now or in the near future. I think I might even take you sharing your plans for 2024 as a sign and start planning my very own digital minimizing strategies that are maybe more attainable and realistic than the ones I tried to achieve in the past. I feel like it was more of a punishment than an act of love and compassion in the past. And as I have been getting better I have also grown more compassionate with myself. And I guess you have to come from a place of love when you want to change anything sustainably.
So thank you for sharing! I’m looking forward to hearing/seeing/reading about how your plans turn out and what you learn on your journey of digital minimalism.
This is beautiful Alicia! I was reading your message nodding along - I love the reframe from punishment to act of love and compassion. I feel very much the same way and I'll be keeping that in mind for my journey too, thank you for sharing :)
This resonates with me so much Charlie.... Technology and social media really distract me and such my attention. Maybe we could all join you xx
I would love that! I'm definitely going to be posting about the journey so we can all keep each other accountable to our own personal goals xxx
Good on you! Your words resonate a great deal as I often feel torn between the pull of the online and the sanctuary of the real. But even those two worlds can each be a heaven or a hell - depending on my mood and what I happen to stumble across and how much energy I have to attend to the process of being (and staying) present. I need constant reminders. And sometimes I feel like a failure for it. Sometimes I wish I could just throw my phone in the bin and forget it ever existed... but the world doesn’t make that so easy. At least that’s what I tell myself.
Thanks Louisa! Your musings here mirror those in my own mind... it is certainly the case that the world doesn't make not having a smartphone easy (in fact I would argue it's impossible because of the need for things like online banking). I'm experimenting with a dumbphone at the moment, and whilst I love it so far it's clear to me that I also need a smartphone in my drawer at home as a back-up for those days where I need to access things like online banking. We are in many ways trapped by these technological structures, so I like to try to have self-compassion in understanding that.
Keeping one as a back-up is a good idea!
I've thought about this a lot and I think I'll be exploring ways to revamp the way I use technology throughout this year. I plan on making an effort to be on my own more, and I want to be mindful of the way I spend that time when I get it. I'm looking forward to reading more about your experience with your detox!
Wonderful, good luck! It's lovely that there seem to be a group of us who are on a similar wavelength with this, so we can share our experiences and keep ourselves accountable in a loving and compassionate way.
Your artwork is really beautiful, Charlie. It touches me and I relate so much to it. Looking forward to see more of your art ♡ An your post makes me think, as always. Thanks for the extensive research and great writing about this fascinating subject!
Thank you so much! It means a lot to know that my art translates for you, and I'm looking forward to sharing more of it.
This is so relatable! I'm also autistic, and in my 30s, even over my short life I've witnessed the change of pace and increase in noise/visual busyness. I can't go into supermarkets. I think we desperately need more quiet public spaces for the community, as well as less-stimulating smaller businesses (these seem to only exist in middle-class areas that are often unaffordable to the autistics that arguably need the the most). But we exist in a capitalist hellscape, and no politicians seem to have any vision as to moving away from it, so for now we're just stuck with it, and all we can do is try to live our lives as peacefully and meaningfully as possible.
I'm in the process of cutting out social media. I've kept Instagram for so long because I was so convinced I'd miss out on too much if I let it go, scared I would lose online friendships and lose track of artists I follow. And while I probably will miss out on some posts I would have otherwise liked to keep up with, I know it's going to be so much better for my health to cut out the endless scrolling (which is what I can't keep myself from doing once I've opened the app).
I just have missed out on so much of the present out of fear I'd miss out on something digital. And especially now that I have a child I don't want to set that as an example of what life is like. When I scroll on my phone all day we don't go outside, or read books, or color, because I am further fatiguing my already tired mind and body and have nothing left over.
I'm excited to read books again, and journal, and write my own substack - I've neglected all of my crafts for so many years largely due to the fact that all of my free hours get sucked away staring at one screen or another and I just miss real physical life.
Anyways thank you for sharing about this because your posts on this topic came up right as I was deciding to take this leap myself and it makes me feel less scared and less alone knowing other people are doing it too and feels somehow more achievable with that added layer of solidarity.
Oh Charlie, I adore your writing and your video is a real wake up call for me in the most inspiring way. I’m embarrassed to say but I am absolutely 100% addicted to my phone and technology. Specifically social media. I can relate to the feeling of that constant onslaught of information and as an autistic person I always feel hungry for information because I LOVE learning. But I’m now seeing it’s coming at the price of my wellbeing, my sense of self and my connection to reality. I find the parameters on my phone (blocking apps etc) only work for a while then my adhd brain just overrides them desperately seeking those instant hits of dopamine and it’s EXHAUSTING. I’m really excited to continue watching your journey and I’m going to have a real think about what would be realistic for me also. Thank you x
I love to see more momentum towards LESS digital. Despite my son urging me to get rid off all my notebooks, I am a paper and pen lady. I love my various journals. I enjoyed watching your YouTube post about planners. I went down a rabbit hole of viewing. I am always on the hunt for the "perfect" notebook. I like to try different ones out, I am working on using a smaller size. I use to stock up in the fall when the Composition books ares cheap. They tend to take up a lot of space on my table and backpack, so I am slowly shifting my madness. I have been working in several visual journals over the years. I pull out magazine clippings, words and images to glue in. This helps spark me imagination. I would stay off of social media entirely but I am trying to start an online business. I also live in the middle of nowhere, and I crave connection. I have found Substack to be a perfect place to actually "meet" people who are fascinating, kind and warm. Thank you for sharing.
Definitely feel that. Cal Newport’s work is great and has helped me too, but it’s an endless battle to switch off from this stuff!
This is great work Charlie. Over the last year, I’ve also become increasingly aware of how these makes me feel. Irritated , frustrated with people, and a lot more existential dread. I had a friend make a comment that all this is designed to act like a slot machine where we keep staying longer and longer. For whatever reason, this finally made a lot of connections I missed before. I’ve been slowly moving away from all these options and I feel better and better.
Love this!! Just hearing that you are using physical journals, CDs, DVDs, and a film camera took made me nostalgic! I totally hear you about the digital noise- I’ve recognized that my phone contributes to my stress/anxiety/feelings of overwhelm. I am really interested to follow your journey of media minimalism!
Hope you’re having a great day! ❤️
I love this and the wording. Digital to analog! I feel inspired. I’ve been on a low social media stint (I only have WhatsApp, Substack messenger on my phone). I have also changed my Facebook and Instagram password so it’s super difficult and is only saved on my laptop 💻 Which reduces my use drastically. But this idea of moving analog is a great idea and wondering if this is something I want to explore as a 2024 project!
Yes! Love the idea of seeing technology as a tool to do what you need it to do, not the other way around, and also the idea of 'digital fatigue'. I struggle with being drawn to the TV in the evening when my energy is at its lowest, but often find it doesn't actually make me feel rested - so you've inspired me to think of other things I can do (or can do after an hour of TV) that will help me to look after myself more and help me wind-down for a restful night's sleep.