Art is therapy. Social media corrupts the artist. Art then becomes a cyanide microdose. The therapy becomes a self-imposed expectation that lacerates where it should heal.
There are consequences to going public with your language.
This resonated SO much. That reminder that the house always wins just further confirms for me that it is best to invest my energies somewhere with more depth to connection and less bias towards the IG algorithm. Thanks for the reminder!
Your observations about social media are spot on, and, as always, love your drawings. It is a privilege to subscribe to your content. Thanks for giving me something to ponder!
“Less room for the distractions of my various screens - gloom and ticking numbers on some, and saccharine escapism on others. Writing helped me regain my time and attention.” Totally…though sometimes it can be that writing, especially on social media platforms, can take a lot of time and attention… like you I have given up in Instagram.
Very true! Unfortunately I'm unable to completely give up IG. I have a large enough following that I must capitalize upon it, and bringing as many people to my newsletter as possible is important.
"There is no need for tricks." I am so, so grateful for every writer who sees this clearly and tries to live and work by it. I want to fall in love with people's writing, and falling in love ... well, it has to be real to have any hope of lasting.
Thank you. The Third audience and creativity is a project of mine. Reflecting on words they are becoming a friend. As I reflect on your revelations today I allowed myself to allow the “Word” to speak to me. It suggested to add the letter L and you will get the “world”. Thank you for your insights to creativity. You are opening the beauty of the world.
Nishant, your observations are so resonant. I also used to feel that "conflict" between my writing self and my drawing self, and I've also come to see they are the same, or in some kind of wonderful partnership. And I have varying feelings about Instagram; at times I really enjoy it, but after a week away from it due to traveling--seeing the real world (including Las Vegas, your Instagram comparison!), I haven't missed it. I have to wonder whether my enjoyment was just falling under social media's mesmerizing spell.
I think what you're asking us to do is something very spiritual, which is to evaluate our relationships to where we put our attention and to value our precious time. You have always set a beautiful example of valuing your time, and where you put your attention, which you show us through your drawing and writing. Thank you for all of that.
You are welcome, Suzan. And thank you for your kind words. The rat-race mindset of social media is so pervasive, it sucks us in even when we know better. Maybe we all need regular periods of abstinence!
There is an Indian practice called vipassana, in which people spend 10 days in contemplation and meditation, with no conversation and no media (not even books or writing). Maybe that would work like a brain detox!
I'm familiar with vipassana, though I've never been able to go without writing (journaling is a spiritual practice for me) or drawing. A social media vipassana does sound like a great brain detox, though! I think I'll share your post with the Yoga Mind subscribers and offer them the idea of a social media vipassana challenge...
“Working with words was like talking to myself. … Writing helped me regain my time and attention.”
Beautifully put. This is very true, and I wish more people would have the capacity to rally their attention to a five minute meeting with some words, instead of ducking out to Las Vegas every time they sense boredom.
Art is therapy. Social media corrupts the artist. Art then becomes a cyanide microdose. The therapy becomes a self-imposed expectation that lacerates where it should heal.
There are consequences to going public with your language.
True!
This resonated SO much. That reminder that the house always wins just further confirms for me that it is best to invest my energies somewhere with more depth to connection and less bias towards the IG algorithm. Thanks for the reminder!
We need and deserve a space where our equation with followers and readers is clean and direct. Instagram and Meta are dishonest arbitrators!
Your observations about social media are spot on, and, as always, love your drawings. It is a privilege to subscribe to your content. Thanks for giving me something to ponder!
Thank you Nadine! I am glad to have you as a reader. 🙌
“Less room for the distractions of my various screens - gloom and ticking numbers on some, and saccharine escapism on others. Writing helped me regain my time and attention.” Totally…though sometimes it can be that writing, especially on social media platforms, can take a lot of time and attention… like you I have given up in Instagram.
Very true! Unfortunately I'm unable to completely give up IG. I have a large enough following that I must capitalize upon it, and bringing as many people to my newsletter as possible is important.
heading to IG now to follow you!
What's the handle?
thesneakyartist
"There is no need for tricks." I am so, so grateful for every writer who sees this clearly and tries to live and work by it. I want to fall in love with people's writing, and falling in love ... well, it has to be real to have any hope of lasting.
Thank you. The Third audience and creativity is a project of mine. Reflecting on words they are becoming a friend. As I reflect on your revelations today I allowed myself to allow the “Word” to speak to me. It suggested to add the letter L and you will get the “world”. Thank you for your insights to creativity. You are opening the beauty of the world.
I'm happy to hear that, Michel! ❤️
Nishant, your observations are so resonant. I also used to feel that "conflict" between my writing self and my drawing self, and I've also come to see they are the same, or in some kind of wonderful partnership. And I have varying feelings about Instagram; at times I really enjoy it, but after a week away from it due to traveling--seeing the real world (including Las Vegas, your Instagram comparison!), I haven't missed it. I have to wonder whether my enjoyment was just falling under social media's mesmerizing spell.
I think what you're asking us to do is something very spiritual, which is to evaluate our relationships to where we put our attention and to value our precious time. You have always set a beautiful example of valuing your time, and where you put your attention, which you show us through your drawing and writing. Thank you for all of that.
You are welcome, Suzan. And thank you for your kind words. The rat-race mindset of social media is so pervasive, it sucks us in even when we know better. Maybe we all need regular periods of abstinence!
There is an Indian practice called vipassana, in which people spend 10 days in contemplation and meditation, with no conversation and no media (not even books or writing). Maybe that would work like a brain detox!
I'm familiar with vipassana, though I've never been able to go without writing (journaling is a spiritual practice for me) or drawing. A social media vipassana does sound like a great brain detox, though! I think I'll share your post with the Yoga Mind subscribers and offer them the idea of a social media vipassana challenge...
I absolutely would do it if I could only write and draw through it.
“Working with words was like talking to myself. … Writing helped me regain my time and attention.”
Beautifully put. This is very true, and I wish more people would have the capacity to rally their attention to a five minute meeting with some words, instead of ducking out to Las Vegas every time they sense boredom.
Thank you, Jason. We are lucky to have sketchbooks in our lives that keep us grounded to reality and our own chains of thought. 💪
Mine looks like the scribbling of a madman, but at least they’re consistent 😂
A consistent madness is surely a virtue! 😅
Love all of this - thank you!
Glad to hear that, Bobby! 🥰