Disconnect to Reconnect

Work from Cottonwood coffee

It is 1 a.m in the morning. September 5, 2023, day 7 of 30 days writing and telling a story. Stories that may not be grand in scale or perfectly crafted, yet it’s a deep contemplation.

I was wondering how often you caught yourself scrolling endlessly through your Twitter feed, simply out of habit rather than genuine interest? That’s where I am right now. In using Twitter, I’ve realized a strange phenomenon — over time, the excitement and joy that I initially found in my Twitter feed have been replaced with a sense of repetition and, ultimately, boredom.

Spending endless hours scouring the present state of political discourse on Twitter (or X maybe, IDK, no different for me), or the new shiny things about tech, or the inundation of memes and rehashed humor, or endless debate about biased matters, I feel less like I’m engaged in a vibrant social platform and more like I’m circling a drain of repeated content.

The use of Twitter can easily saturate one's life without notice. We start with the notion that Twitter helps us stay informed, keep up with trends, and discover some new jokes and funny material, get instant updates on the world. But a part of me can’t help but wonder if our quest for information and constant connection is keeping us from truly engaging with the world, instead binding us to an endless cycle of FOMO and ultimately dissatisfaction.

That’s ironic.

The platform that is designed to make us feel more connected, can actually make us feel distant and detached. Sometimes, less is indeed more. I want to step away from my Twitter bubble and enjoy tangible experiences like hobbies, reading, 1-on-1 conversations, and everything that more fulfilling life. No, not at the moment. Perhaps later, after my classes have finished.

Checking my Twitter feed less often has not made me less connected. On the contrary, I am more aware of the world around me rather than simply being an observer of the world through 280-character regular tweets.

We should remember that there is so much more to life beyond Twitter. There are precious moments, maybe some new experiences, and people that deserve our undivided attention.

So let’s disconnect to reconnect. Besides, every relation doesn’t need something physical. Some of these are by heart.