Oh man I loved this so much, Steve!! I can completely relate to the struggle of addiction to Twitter and my phone...you are so right, I am the least present when I am on them, and definitely know that I don't feel as good, but yet can't seem to stop.
Steve, thank you for sharing your journey here. I'm a coach, and I'm exploring my own presence and intentionality with my own coach—particularly as it relates to my phone. I see so much Courage in your pursuing this for yourself, especially since your business has benefited so much from Twitter. I'm working on reducing my phone time by 80% over the coming months. Your story helps!
Yep, been there, done that ad nauseum. I still go back every once in a while. A Twitter addiction is similar to my sugar jones. It's hard to subdue long term. I followed a lot of diet gurus and ended up in a place where everything on my plate scared me. And don't get me started about doom and gloom predictions. I finally started to realize that Twitter was like the guy who convinced his followers to commit suicide so they could jump the comet. Pretty sure he was sure, but also pretty sure it didn't work out as planned. So I'll also wait to watch it unfold. Sorry to leave a LONG comment, but I thought you'd like my comparison. ;)
"I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning, the low grade retirement anxiety is back. It's happening less often, which is a blessing, but often enough to add to my general angst. I've started connecting these jittery days to the days when I doom scroll Twitter. I don't like to be an ostrich with my head in the sand and I pretend that Twitter - or I guess it's X now - is an easy, quick way to check the pulse of the world.
I'm no longer sure that's correct. Twitter is better likened to a seething, writhing mass of earthworms, beings meant for acres of earth contained in one large cooler inside the bait shop. I think I'd rather get outside and see my earthworms one at a time when I happen to turn over some garden soils with a trowel or walk on pavement after it rains. One or two earthworms a week, that's really all I'd like to have in my life, not freaking 300 in an afternoon. Begone, creatures."
Thank you for this Steve. Beautifully articulated. As someone who is in recovery for the past 2+ years and who recently left tech/corporate world after 20+ years to launch my personal growth & wellness brand, Joyful Gravity, I'm slowly and mindfully dipping my toe back into social media (IG and LI) as 'the necessary evil' needed to grow my coaching business. At this point, it feels manageable, but your words are a reminder of the slippery slope that can hook us to a point of abandoning our presence and consciousness in everyday life, which I am no longer willing to compromise. Thank you...I've appreciated reading your essays and listening to your podcast.
I started a 10 day experiment off social media. It's now been 13 days and I don't miss it much at all. I love not being tempted to scroll and feeling more conscious and present. As of right now, I am making a plan to stay off the rest of the year as well. Thank you for inspiring and empowering me Steve!
I'll miss your tweets, but at least we get the essays! :)
Oh man I loved this so much, Steve!! I can completely relate to the struggle of addiction to Twitter and my phone...you are so right, I am the least present when I am on them, and definitely know that I don't feel as good, but yet can't seem to stop.
Killer post. Right to the core. Thank you!
Steve, thank you for sharing your journey here. I'm a coach, and I'm exploring my own presence and intentionality with my own coach—particularly as it relates to my phone. I see so much Courage in your pursuing this for yourself, especially since your business has benefited so much from Twitter. I'm working on reducing my phone time by 80% over the coming months. Your story helps!
I needed this, thank you. You put into words all the big feelings I’ve been feeling lately. I truly appreciate it. 🙌
WOW, what a message from the Shaman on the subway! And wild that it resurfaced recently at a potent time.
I'm curious, what newsletters are you consistently opening (and enjoying) lately?
Loved this, Steve. I'll miss you on Twitter, and I suspect I'll even more deeply enjoy our conversations off it.
Yep, been there, done that ad nauseum. I still go back every once in a while. A Twitter addiction is similar to my sugar jones. It's hard to subdue long term. I followed a lot of diet gurus and ended up in a place where everything on my plate scared me. And don't get me started about doom and gloom predictions. I finally started to realize that Twitter was like the guy who convinced his followers to commit suicide so they could jump the comet. Pretty sure he was sure, but also pretty sure it didn't work out as planned. So I'll also wait to watch it unfold. Sorry to leave a LONG comment, but I thought you'd like my comparison. ;)
"I woke up on the wrong side of bed this morning, the low grade retirement anxiety is back. It's happening less often, which is a blessing, but often enough to add to my general angst. I've started connecting these jittery days to the days when I doom scroll Twitter. I don't like to be an ostrich with my head in the sand and I pretend that Twitter - or I guess it's X now - is an easy, quick way to check the pulse of the world.
I'm no longer sure that's correct. Twitter is better likened to a seething, writhing mass of earthworms, beings meant for acres of earth contained in one large cooler inside the bait shop. I think I'd rather get outside and see my earthworms one at a time when I happen to turn over some garden soils with a trowel or walk on pavement after it rains. One or two earthworms a week, that's really all I'd like to have in my life, not freaking 300 in an afternoon. Begone, creatures."
Thank you for this Steve. Beautifully articulated. As someone who is in recovery for the past 2+ years and who recently left tech/corporate world after 20+ years to launch my personal growth & wellness brand, Joyful Gravity, I'm slowly and mindfully dipping my toe back into social media (IG and LI) as 'the necessary evil' needed to grow my coaching business. At this point, it feels manageable, but your words are a reminder of the slippery slope that can hook us to a point of abandoning our presence and consciousness in everyday life, which I am no longer willing to compromise. Thank you...I've appreciated reading your essays and listening to your podcast.
I started a 10 day experiment off social media. It's now been 13 days and I don't miss it much at all. I love not being tempted to scroll and feeling more conscious and present. As of right now, I am making a plan to stay off the rest of the year as well. Thank you for inspiring and empowering me Steve!