July Retreat
Embracing an Analog Life
July is nearly here, and I feel a calling to retreat. In the past few years, I've found myself loathing summers. The heat worsens, and perhaps I am less tolerant due to my age (41). I wouldn't say I have reverse seasonal depression, but I do not rejoice when summer arrives. However, from here on out, the days will get shorter. The sun will rise earlier, and I love waking at 5 AM to a quiet house, writing and reflecting in my journal.
In this retreating month, I plan to live a more analog life. Remember when we had COMPUTER ROOMS? I'm going back to that. I've deleted Instagram, Threads, and TikTok from my iPad. I am a Lightphone user, so the lure of scrolling won't find me on my phone, but I tend to waste time on my iPad as a reward. But the experience is hardly rewarding. Like most people, I find social media draining and full of toxicity and hot takes. There's no space for nuance, tone, and the kind of understanding you can see in a face-to-face conversation. I've struggled with letting go, as many do.
I've made many friends in the writing community from all over the world over the past ten years, and communicating with them can mean being chained to a device. The Lightphone has helped with this, but the allure to network online has often lingered. In July, I vow to let that go and reset. The only app I have on my iPad to see a feed will be Substack. I've found it to be a haven in my short time here. The community, the mindfulness, and the encouragement to create have been a breath of fresh air. This month, I intend to create and relax, rather than consume.
Here are some activities I plan to do:
Morning Pages: Daily journaling to clear my mind and set intentions.
Cozy Gaming: Enjoying my new Nintendo Switch and replaying an RPG I loved when I was 11. (I know this isn’t analog, but it’s not connected to social media, which is my main issue.)
Writing Poems: Crafting new poems inspired by my analog retreat.
Visiting the Local Coffee Shop: Revising my novel in a cozy, distraction-free environment.
Yoga: Practicing yoga to stay grounded and connected to my body.
Meditation: Daily meditation sessions to cultivate mindfulness and inner peace.
I look forward to sharing my journey with you and hope to inspire others to find joy in creating and living mindfully.