My dog is also sick of my social media habits.
#Underconsumption has been a recent social media trend focusing on our purchasing habits, but I’m trying to apply it to my media addiction.
Let’s be real: as an introvert and a reader, I’ve been a deep consumer of online content since Instagram’s built-in filters were cool.
Instagram became my social media channel of choice, with the algorithm delivering content on books, vegan cooking, sustainable fashion, skin care, and wellness (with some really questionable grifter b.s. mixed in).
It’s all been manageable, but (ICYMI) in January I took a job in the communications office of a local community college.
Among other duties, I run the social media accounts. Despite my reservations with social media as a force in our lives, the work is largely wholesome. I can’t complain about planning dance videos to promote filling out the FAFSA.
The problem is, I spend more of my day than ever consuming, thinking about, and making social media content. I truly believe it has begun to rot my brain, because even though I want to throw my phone at the end of a workday, I still find myself scrolling outside of work and feeling sick doing it.
As a result, my personal account has gravely suffered.
Peace, Jacob Lawrence (1956). This is unrelated, it’s just a really good painting I saw at the Seattle Museum of Art that I snapped because it reminded me a little of quilt appliqué. You’re welcome for breaking up this wall of text.
In the past, I’ve sent meandering emails back and forth with certain friends, and I miss that form of direct exchange. I thought about those emails for days instead of forgetting it in five seconds because I’ve already scrolled through ten pieces of content.
This is why I’m jumping onto the questionable idea of starting a newsletter.
My hope is it will:
Combat the brain rot of dealing with short-form content for a full-time job.
Be a more substantial, nuanced way to connect with my friends (for y’all too, not just me).
Invite my friends to share in return.
I can promise a few things. This newsletter will:
Appear in your inbox infrequently.
Be unpolished and unglamorous.
Include photos of my dogs.
Not guilt you for not reading it.
Okay, the next newsletter will be more regular programming and less thesis statement (or will it? Maybe this is who I am. We will find out together).