These last six months have been huge teaching moments for me as I navigate two versions of myself, two ways of living, coming together and co-existing. 

During Covid, I worked hard to get healthier. Mentally and physically.

Now, balancing the life I created during a pandemic with travel, music and all the rest, I have found myself remembering the challenges I would face amongst new ones. 

Being plugged into the metaverse is a crucial part of my job. However, I personally know the absolute havoc it’s wreaking on our society. It’s a catch-22. People say to me, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t use it’. My reply is, well, I actually do like it, but I don’t like the way it’s used and the way we are made to feel we need to use it. So I have this ever-present battle that I navigate, and I know I’m not alone in this. 

Things that turn me off and why I am SO intentional with it:

– I don’t like the idea that we are always available to people and the urgency that comes with this 

– I don’t like that it has pushed us to feel like we need to perform on a daily basis in order to be relevant, and then we get rewarded with visibility 

– I don’t like that it truly puts forward the idea that we must compare ourselves, knowing full well that comparison is the thief of joy

– I also don’t like the way our culture has created this false connection, and if we don’t behave the right way, share the right thing or respond in a way that gives other people their hit of dopamine, we are deemed a redundant friend or follower.

How I combat this:

– I do enjoy is being able to meet new people and find ways of connecting deeper

• I  enjoy the ease in which I can share things I love 

– I enjoy learning new things and being inspired

– I enjoy people who share insightful and thoughtful things 

– I love to see people I care for sharing their wins 

– I also love learning new perspectives through people online 

I believe we are losing key skills. Patience, the ability to actually connect with people on a deeper more meaningful level, attention span, compassion, the list goes on…

Rather than scrolling aimlessly, here are some things I do instead that make me feel more connected, accomplished and fulfilled once I reach my limit.

– Painting. I use paint by numbers, I got my last ones from K-Mart! 

– Gardening. Getting my feet and hands in the soil, building things and being in the sunshine humbles you so quickly. 

– Reading fiction. I am a huge nerd for Australian rural fiction. Find your niche. 

– Embroidery. I recently purchased a kit! It feels very tedious, but I’m growing my patience muscles.

– Baking! I have a newfound love for baking… just your regular freakin housewife over here.

How I am trying to create a better relationship with online land:

– Setting boundaries. Get that timer on your phone! I have yet to perfect this, but I am trying and trying and trying. 

– Posting only what makes me feel like I am adding to other people. This is a personal thing, but I do try to only post positives now, and whilst I believe in authenticity and truth, I also believe in time, and place, and perspective. 

– If I am bothered by something someone posts, I don’t cancel them; I simply disagree mentally and move on. (If I am truly bothered and it just isn’t for me, I speak with them if I know them, OR click the unfollow or mute button).

– I reminded myself that it is only a small percentage of life. Of mine, of others, and that real life is far more important. 

– Have at least 2 days off per week and ‘clock off time’.

I hope this was helpful or at least helped you to understand your own version of this.