As many of you artists who are adopting a web based initiative will find, you will become exhausted by the constant hustle and flow of social media work. The obsession for information and constant communication can be overwhelming. If you are easily swayed by new things or tend to get lost in chat, you have the potential to burn out and disconnect from reality too. Too much time in front of a digital world can be disorienting for our sensitive minds.
Artists like myself never truly stop using the tools to communicate and promote, but there comes moments of burnout, blackout periods in which I recognize that and refuse to use anything. I even forget where my phone is.
My biggest circle of friends and acquaintances live and work “in the space”. People whom I’ve known for almost 3 years who work or talk social media on a daily basis. They find it shocking when I forget my phone at home and lack the detachment symptoms. I just don’t really care. I may be one of the hugest fans of Apple’s iPhones, and lover of technology but that doesn’t mean I’m addicted in any way. I love the tools. I love the web. I love social media, but if I had the choice to dump it all to move on to something, I would. Without hesitation. Not one ounce of hesitation. I gave up my first love, music in 2002 and never really felt any regret. It shocked people. Perhaps that’s the religious part in me. I like to sacrifice. Feels liberating. If I have to give up something, I do it without regrets.
Social media and the web for me, is communication and opportunity. I can express something to friends abroad or look for avenues in which I can create opportunities. Other than that, I’d rather be reading a book, swimming in the ocean or cooking. The point of the matter is, I am a very emotionally sensitive person and too much of something that detaches me from life can drain me easily. I almost feel an immediate disconnection from my self when I’m lost in the space. If I feel anything bogs me down, I dump it quickly. I could care less about being connected to my gadgets. I love them but I don’t live for them.
How do you keep in touch with the rest of planet earth when you are on your computer daily, using social media on a regular basis?
It’s simple. There are 2 major things you have to remember:
1. Keep your priorities and values #1. Sometimes we stray away from our true goals in life that we have set forth on. Sometimes we need a break from thinking about it. But if we remain steadfast on our purpous, in our standards, it will make for participation in the web space much easier and less stressful. Maybe even more valuable.
2. Remember who you are. You are not an internet addict. You do not need the internet. You don’t live for social media. It’s not you, it shall not become you and it will never become you. You are simply working in the space. End of story.
5 WAYS TO STAY ON PLANET EARTH WHILE YOUR MIND IS IN SPACE
1. Get outside. Take a break, daily and get out of the house. Stand your two feet on the ground, whether it’s cold and snowing, rain or shine. Breathe in the air, take in the sounds and envision your place on this earth. This is a grounding practice that many use and I tell you it really helps. It’s important to get your mind away from the buzz and stream that is constantly going on in the interwebs.
2. Connect with something tanglible. Read a book, cook dinner, have a conversation with a neighbor, immerse yourself in a bath, put on a song and lay down on the floor. Do things that disconnect you from the digital, so that you aren’t caught up in it. It helps teach you limitation, discipline and balance. Take a trip where it has absolutely NOTHING to do with a tech event, art show or social media outing.
3. Visit a local club or meetup. It has to have nothing to do with Twitter (tweetups) or digital events. There are local poker events, book clubs, writing classes or musical events. I’m not saying join the club or make it a weekly discipline but try to connect yourself with the world around you. Even you introverts like me can do this. It does help. Sometimes. 
4. Write….in a book, on paper. You don’t have to blog everything you feel or think. It’s a comforting feeling to express that and how much better to write it out on something tangible. Not divudging your every thought, move or desire is liberating in a space where everyone expects transparency from you. Plus, you might find it helps to remember how to use a pen. Don’t let you hands forget. It actually feels funny when you haven’t done that in a while.
5. Watch a cartoon. Does everything have to be a documentary, indie film or important teaching video with you? Comedic or infantile things really help us remember we are human, that we love and that we need entertainment. Give your poor blog reading, tweetaholic brain a rest. Please!
(c)photo by Xarley
Filed under: Tech, reflection | Tagged: analog, digital, natasha wescoat, social media, web business
