presence

I went without a phone for almost two weeks. the first day was absolutely terrifying. granted I was in an unfamiliar place, staying alone, and unable to give proper notice that I'd be unreachable. but as I rode home today with a new iphone box, typically one of my favorite activities, I felt a twinge of sadness.

there was a small sense of freedom that came without being tethered to a device. we forget how reactive we are to notifications, what it feels like to simply process our surroundings. to dance delicately between subject to subject based on our own volition and not the constant barrage of stimuli that emanate from our screens.

I'm trying to get more intentional with my time. in a space that seems obsessed with money, that rewards obsessive hustle, and is still built on a foundation of emotional manipulation (for good or for bad) to drive attention, it's necessary to step away from time to time.

it's dangerous to let time pass without appreciating the moment we're in.

it's easy to be in a rush. to revel in being busy. but it often feels like we forget what it's all for. we give up our precious moments for a chance at a better future. a faceless goal. another hit of dopamine.

but if we don't enjoy the journey, what was it all for?