Thank you for writing this beautiful easy that resonates with so many of us. I deleted my Instagram and tiktok a few days after the wildfires broke out. I’m from that area and seeing endless videos of some of my favorite places burning was too much for me to bear.
I have noticed things. Like you said, I don’t know information the moment …
Thank you for writing this beautiful easy that resonates with so many of us. I deleted my Instagram and tiktok a few days after the wildfires broke out. I’m from that area and seeing endless videos of some of my favorite places burning was too much for me to bear.
I have noticed things. Like you said, I don’t know information the moment it breaks, which is disorienting. I told my husband today “wow trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization.” He said “oh you’re just finding out about that? That happened yesterday.” Hearing that felt weird. And I don’t even know if “weird” is the right word. It has me feel like an outsider, but one who is more free and in control.
I have felt immense guilt, especially in the beginning. How can I turn a blind eye to the burning of my homeland? How selfish can I be? But I remind myself that I’m not turning a blind eye. I’m getting my masters degree in renewable energy and sustainability systems. I’m donating as much as I can. I’m more intentional with spending money. I’m reading books to decolonize my mind. I’m doing the work, it’s just not the immediate gratification that we’re all accustomed to. So it’s uncomfortable.
And, finally, I have noticed that it takes more work to connect with my friends, but it’s worth it. We’re having better conversations compared to us sending funny videos back and forth. I want to talk to them more - actually talk. I want to hear about their days instead of make assumptions about their days based on what they put on their IG story. I want to hear their voices in a voice note and, eventually, phone calls. I want to invite them over for dinner. I want to build an offline community.
Thank you for writing this beautiful easy that resonates with so many of us. I deleted my Instagram and tiktok a few days after the wildfires broke out. I’m from that area and seeing endless videos of some of my favorite places burning was too much for me to bear.
I have noticed things. Like you said, I don’t know information the moment it breaks, which is disorienting. I told my husband today “wow trump withdrew from the Paris climate agreement and the World Health Organization.” He said “oh you’re just finding out about that? That happened yesterday.” Hearing that felt weird. And I don’t even know if “weird” is the right word. It has me feel like an outsider, but one who is more free and in control.
I have felt immense guilt, especially in the beginning. How can I turn a blind eye to the burning of my homeland? How selfish can I be? But I remind myself that I’m not turning a blind eye. I’m getting my masters degree in renewable energy and sustainability systems. I’m donating as much as I can. I’m more intentional with spending money. I’m reading books to decolonize my mind. I’m doing the work, it’s just not the immediate gratification that we’re all accustomed to. So it’s uncomfortable.
And, finally, I have noticed that it takes more work to connect with my friends, but it’s worth it. We’re having better conversations compared to us sending funny videos back and forth. I want to talk to them more - actually talk. I want to hear about their days instead of make assumptions about their days based on what they put on their IG story. I want to hear their voices in a voice note and, eventually, phone calls. I want to invite them over for dinner. I want to build an offline community.