The simple pleasures in life don’t cost much
I was thinking … while watching the drama and theater which is the news, why not shut it down … and take a break. Is it all that hard to do?
We live in a world what it seems to spin faster and faster every day. Not literally of course… :) . If we open the TV there are so many things, especially bad things which seem to happen that our brains are in a constant state of urgency. There is crisis after crisis which appear and we need to manage them with the best of our know how. And the worst part, we are not specialists in financial emergencies or the war in Iran or the war in Ukraine. All we want is peace and a quiet live that fulfills us.
The answer to this problem, at least for me, but highly recommend it to all is to shut it all down. Shut the TV, close the news feed on your telephone and get out. Regardless of the weather, go outside, take a walk, drink a coffee and look at other people. We are so focused on watching our telephone screen that we no longer look at other people anymore. Watch and observe them, not in a creepy way, but remember that each of us have their own views and world that need to manage every day. Looking at the screen voids this indirect contact with other people, which I believe we lack.
I was in my children vacation with them to the Zoo, an example of shutting down and enjoying nature and beautiful animals. Have set as target to myself not to open my telephone on the entire duration of the visit. As I had my camera with me, I managed the record of 4h in which my telephone did not exist. You might say, yes but you still had technology, and you are correct. Nevertheless, it was used to create something beautiful memories with my children without the constant pressure to share the things you are doing. Photography for me is a way to disconnect from the world and focus on the View Finder doing my best to create something beautiful.
Of course, the moment I reach home, I’ve copied the images and edited them on my laptop. I don’t suggest to completely emerge yourself in the silence that comes with the lack of technology and forget about the world, even if it sounds so enticing. My suggestion is to make the break from tech exercise at least 1-2 times a week, for a minimum of 3-4 hours.
Meet with a friend, without watching you telephone. Read a book while drinking a cup of your preferred tea. Run a few km listening to the sound of nature around you. Discover again what means for you to actually live, without the constant noise which constitutes the media most of the times.
And if you really want not to remain connected with the stream of information, change the way you do it. Stop the doom scrolling and set specific times when you read the news. Regain control over your time and your life because you only have one.
Until next time, TFG