So perfectly put. Exploring the relationship I have with my device has been transformative in integrating with my shadow. Something I find interesting is when I take long breaks from my phone/instagram and then come back to an explore page that is filled with content that doesn't align with me. I wonder how the algorithm handles periods of no input??...
Also, I recently moved to an urban area and it has been a HUGE spiritual practice to curate my real life algorithm. It is easy to think the worst of people, and humanity in general, in a city and I have been trying my best to let the unsavory and rude and inconsiderateness just slip by and to bring more kindness to my interactions. More prayer and praise. It isn't easy! Makes me think that this is one of the reasons why I was led back here...
I absolutely agree about the algorithm however one of the reasons I am currently off of IG is because they went from pushing me nature and cat videos (things I like and engage with) to pushing me relationship/dating content and diet culture content despite me never interacting with any of it. I have had other female friends say the same. I think that they may have changed their algorithm to pigeon hole by demographic and eff that I'm not participating!
I have been more and more aware of where my energy and attention goes online lately, on all platforms (although I will say that Facebook is actually on my good side these days because I do genuinely just see lots of off grid cabins and cat content and not much political) and it feels like I need to just step away from it all. All of it is railing against something. Everything this mostly reactionary, expressing frustration. Is this what all media is these days? How do we create something, especially writing or online platform content that is actively contributing to the more beautiful world that we want to see? Is it even online at all? Do I just opt out of it? These are things that I've been grappling with. Trying to knit more, be outside more. But dang if the scroll reflex isn't strong...
YESSS!! When I saw your follower count boom, I had a huge smile and thought, "Go Alicen!!" -- you've put a lot of heart and work into your writing and videos and it was nice to see that recognized. After reading this essay, I do see the double-edged sword-ness of it all, but hopefully it means more folks who resonate with your words will seek and therefore find. Love your writing, enjoy exploring the thoughts you bring to the table. xo
Thank you, bestie, for keeping us on a quest to keep doing better by discerning our own motivations - and the behaviors those motivations provoke. Your post inspired me to immediately re-read Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things."
So perfectly put. Exploring the relationship I have with my device has been transformative in integrating with my shadow. Something I find interesting is when I take long breaks from my phone/instagram and then come back to an explore page that is filled with content that doesn't align with me. I wonder how the algorithm handles periods of no input??...
Also, I recently moved to an urban area and it has been a HUGE spiritual practice to curate my real life algorithm. It is easy to think the worst of people, and humanity in general, in a city and I have been trying my best to let the unsavory and rude and inconsiderateness just slip by and to bring more kindness to my interactions. More prayer and praise. It isn't easy! Makes me think that this is one of the reasons why I was led back here...
I absolutely agree about the algorithm however one of the reasons I am currently off of IG is because they went from pushing me nature and cat videos (things I like and engage with) to pushing me relationship/dating content and diet culture content despite me never interacting with any of it. I have had other female friends say the same. I think that they may have changed their algorithm to pigeon hole by demographic and eff that I'm not participating!
I have been more and more aware of where my energy and attention goes online lately, on all platforms (although I will say that Facebook is actually on my good side these days because I do genuinely just see lots of off grid cabins and cat content and not much political) and it feels like I need to just step away from it all. All of it is railing against something. Everything this mostly reactionary, expressing frustration. Is this what all media is these days? How do we create something, especially writing or online platform content that is actively contributing to the more beautiful world that we want to see? Is it even online at all? Do I just opt out of it? These are things that I've been grappling with. Trying to knit more, be outside more. But dang if the scroll reflex isn't strong...
YESSS!! When I saw your follower count boom, I had a huge smile and thought, "Go Alicen!!" -- you've put a lot of heart and work into your writing and videos and it was nice to see that recognized. After reading this essay, I do see the double-edged sword-ness of it all, but hopefully it means more folks who resonate with your words will seek and therefore find. Love your writing, enjoy exploring the thoughts you bring to the table. xo
Thank you, bestie, for keeping us on a quest to keep doing better by discerning our own motivations - and the behaviors those motivations provoke. Your post inspired me to immediately re-read Philippians 4:8:
"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things."