Another lovely observation. Hum, in my "Reels" feed are dozens of sailboat videos. I don't know how they got there, but I love watching racing boats tacking around a windward mark, then hoisting giant spinnakers. I also appreciate keeping up with real "friends" who have shared a picture of their Italian dinner, or cat, or dog. I subscribe to three newspapers. From my home town Daily Press, I skim the headlines from the first page and read the obits. Some of those dead people are related to some of my living and dead people. Blest be the tie that binds. From the NYTimes I skim headlines and read some arts stories. (Rachel plays games and reads recipes.) I read all the headlines and most of the stories from The Paper of Burke county. On YouTube I follow The Salisbury Organist; he's quirky and unpacks some of the hymn tunes that run in my blood. On Substack, I follow Andrew Barron essays on public education and you. I also get sucked into doom scrolling and waste too many hours reading about the one whose name will not be spoken. Your observations shed light and bring healing. They renew my focus on what is honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, and worthy of praise . . . I stole that from Philippians, but it's true. Thank you Julie. Your posts take time and energy. And they are so looked forward to....
Thanks for these suggestions and encouragement, Matt, and in kind, I always look forward to your words! The sailboats sound lovely. Dan likes organist Anna Lapwood at the Royal Albert Hall, and you might too.
That opening really resonated with me, especially the part about removing the apps but still keeping access on a laptop as a way of creating just enough distance to breathe again, because that shallow breathing and quiet tension you described is something I recognize too.
How are you deciding what a healthy, life giving relationship with staying informed looks like for you right now without letting the weight of it all slowly harden your heart or steal your attention?
Bloom scrolling is such a wonderful concept, but the challenge is the "intentional" part. There is no doubt we are addicted to our phones -- like algorithmic talismans. Alas, the AI gods operate outside our consciousness, mysteriously mining our conversations, our texts, our emails, and even our thoughts. (I swear it's happened.) Maybe we need to curate our own thoughts, words, fears, relationshops, and desires with more intention -- which means spending less time curled up with our phones. I have actually shifted most of my social media attention to Substack. I find the interaction here more honest, informative, creative, and supportive than anywhere else. Thank you so much for this provocative piece. 💜
You my friend offer one of my trusted places to often ponder beauty and joy. I love receiving your Wednesday emails. Thank you.
Thanks Roberta! Hope to see you soon.
Another lovely observation. Hum, in my "Reels" feed are dozens of sailboat videos. I don't know how they got there, but I love watching racing boats tacking around a windward mark, then hoisting giant spinnakers. I also appreciate keeping up with real "friends" who have shared a picture of their Italian dinner, or cat, or dog. I subscribe to three newspapers. From my home town Daily Press, I skim the headlines from the first page and read the obits. Some of those dead people are related to some of my living and dead people. Blest be the tie that binds. From the NYTimes I skim headlines and read some arts stories. (Rachel plays games and reads recipes.) I read all the headlines and most of the stories from The Paper of Burke county. On YouTube I follow The Salisbury Organist; he's quirky and unpacks some of the hymn tunes that run in my blood. On Substack, I follow Andrew Barron essays on public education and you. I also get sucked into doom scrolling and waste too many hours reading about the one whose name will not be spoken. Your observations shed light and bring healing. They renew my focus on what is honorable, just, pure, pleasing, commendable, and worthy of praise . . . I stole that from Philippians, but it's true. Thank you Julie. Your posts take time and energy. And they are so looked forward to....
Thanks for these suggestions and encouragement, Matt, and in kind, I always look forward to your words! The sailboats sound lovely. Dan likes organist Anna Lapwood at the Royal Albert Hall, and you might too.
Anna rocks.
Hi Matt!
Nice to read your comments here!
Finley Sutton
Happy sigh. Bloom scrolling, not doom scrolling. Absolutely wonderful, Julie!
Thanks for reading, Rebecca! Happy blooming to you!
That opening really resonated with me, especially the part about removing the apps but still keeping access on a laptop as a way of creating just enough distance to breathe again, because that shallow breathing and quiet tension you described is something I recognize too.
How are you deciding what a healthy, life giving relationship with staying informed looks like for you right now without letting the weight of it all slowly harden your heart or steal your attention?
Great question, Jonathan. Just experimenting, and paying attention. Trying to learn from others, too. Thanks for reading.
That’s great. Keep up the good work.
Bloom scrolling is such a wonderful concept, but the challenge is the "intentional" part. There is no doubt we are addicted to our phones -- like algorithmic talismans. Alas, the AI gods operate outside our consciousness, mysteriously mining our conversations, our texts, our emails, and even our thoughts. (I swear it's happened.) Maybe we need to curate our own thoughts, words, fears, relationshops, and desires with more intention -- which means spending less time curled up with our phones. I have actually shifted most of my social media attention to Substack. I find the interaction here more honest, informative, creative, and supportive than anywhere else. Thank you so much for this provocative piece. 💜
I so appreciate the phrase algorithmic talismans. And will be thinking about your application of curation to more than our feeds—thanks for that idea.
Thank you!! Love this idea. We need all the beauty we can get.
Thanks Kimberly, hope you find some blooms this week.
I love this too! Any in particular you recommend?
Thanks so much!