Chaser: Immediacy Detox
"To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.” - Henry David Thoreau
Quote from Henry David Thoreau’s book, Walden - “We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake, not by mechanical aids, but by an infinite expectation of the dawn, which does not forsake us even in our soundest sleep. I know of no more encouraging fact than the unquestionable ability of man to elevate his life by a conscious endeavor. It is something to be able to paint a particular picture, or to carve a statue, and so to make a few objects beautiful; but it is far more glorious to carve and paint the very atmosphere and medium through which we look, which morally we can do. To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of arts.”
I don't want to do the immediacy of it all.
I don't care about the constant news cycle right now. I don't care about the AI revolution. I don't care about the latest trend in fashion, posts on social media, or the thing everyone is talking about right now. I want to avoid being expected to respond to an email or text. In a weird contradiction, the immediacy of the modern era is actually speeding up our time. There is no time left to pause.
The experience of 'waiting' in our day-to-day lives has become less frequent. I don't know how to explain to a younger generation that the waiting and anticipation of getting your disposable camera developed was actually part of the enjoyment. Or that running to the TV when your favorite show came on, knowing that you could miss it if you didn't tune in at that moment, made the show all the better.
I can't imagine the gravity, satisfaction, or devastation of receiving a letter from a friend or lover after waiting so long. There is a reason why we read and view significant, historical, and love letters. When you have to put pen to paper, the writing is more focused, concise, and thought-out. When a letter is the only form of written communication, you only write what needs to be said. Now, we have archived tweets from the former president saying crazy, stupid, shit like,
Of course, there are perks to immediacy as well. Social media has been a vital tool for organizing mass protests and demonstrations like Black Lives Matter and for keeping us informed in real time. Memes continue to be one of the best outcomes of the internet, but I don't think we'll ever have a museum displaying the great love texts of our time.
Immediacy has made me exhausted recently, and although I know there has been extremely important, history-making news this week (the first time in history that the House removed its leader, the Biden administration is expanding the wall and deporting thousands of people from Venezuela despite previous promises and protest from immigration, environmental, Indigenous, and human rights activists and experts, and a judge blocked Trump from secretly transferring his money), the complete stupidity and inhumanity from men in power is not something I am willing to indulge in today. I don't want to give them my time.
I see the irony in the fact that now I am one more email in your inbox, hoping that you engage with me, but I hope at least I can offer something generative in exchange for your time <3 here are my brief recommendations for an immediacy detox:
Meditate: I once heard Oprah describe meditation as the space between thoughts. It pries open the experience of time, making more and more room for pause. Meditating and meditating consistently has brought so many positive things to my life, which…makes sense considering how many spiritual faiths and scientific experts worldwide have continuously touted the benefits for centuries.
Watch the documentary Amy Tan: Unintended Memoir, available on Netflix: This documentary was so inspiring to me; it encouraged me to sign up for a writing class. What I love about this documentary about the author of The Joy Luck Club and her relationship with her mother is that it portrays women as deeply human. Usually, in media and entertainment, women are never complicated humans, with complicated, paradoxical lives with sometimes simultaneous toxic and loving relationships, especially with other women. The documentary also provides a lens for seeing mothers as humans and touches on real-life issues regarding family, mental health, immigration, and sexual assault. I found so much joy in seeing old family movies and unplanned, unposed photographs and memories, which is rare in today's more polished world. I recommend 10/10.
Cry: Is it crazy that I am recommending crying? The thing about it is that crying is a uniquely human experience and deep release that is a self-soothing response. It forces you to be present in the moment. If you don't need a cry, don't, but I recommend a deep release - run as fast as you can, scream as loud as you need, dance, stomp, and pound. Instinctual release.
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Adriana <333