On logging out (but not off)

I posted the note below to Facebook last night, and just before performing the great log out (but not off) from all my devices, I thought I'd share it here, too. I'd like to add how blessed I feel to have such an amazing writing and reading community, and how grateful I am to all of you for helping make 2016 such an amazing lit-year for me. Thank you.

BvS


Dear online family,

2016 was an remarkable year of contrasts. 

The highs: continuing to enjoy the love of the best partner a guy could imagine; watching my daughters grow and thrive; basking in the support of loved ones as I published stories and launched a debut novel; and continuing to bear witness to an evolving narrative greater and bigger than all of us. 

I’ve been blessed. I am loved. And I have faith.

The lows: hatred taking centre stage and claiming incredible victories; loved ones forgetting about love and respect as we all clanged gongs and clashed cymbals; witnessing as scores fell prey to misinformation and a narrative of fear; and seeing friends and family and members of my tribe turn on each other again and again like malnourished sled dogs. 

I’ve been right. I am wrong. And I’ve at times stopped listening, sacrificing love, respect, and grace on an altar to myself that I can’t even name.

The lows dig at me, friends.

The other day, as I was hot-glue-gunning popsicle sticks together to make a hanging Christmas ornament with my daughter, I felt a peace I’ve lately been missing. My iPhone was in the other room, my laptop closed, the TV off, and for over an hour I didn’t even think about email or social media or the spinning news cycle. I was working with my hands. Simply doing. And being. Talking. Listening. 

It was restorative. And I realized that I need a break from the information firehose I’ve become accustomed to drinking from. It has become my default to check my phone at all hours, pull out my macbook to crawl for news, scan my social media feeds for tidbits and tokens. I miss working with my hands. I miss looking for what needs doing rather than what needs posting online. Picking up a book to just read for a little while without making sure my digital self is always within reach.

And so, in the New Year, I’m logging out. I’m going to focus on my faith, family, writing, home, reading, and the thousand analog, offline things I’ve been neglecting and forgetting. 

I don’t know for how long. While I’ll drop in occasionally to share good news, reach out, or follow something that needs following, I’ll largely be digitally silent. I’ll still be reachable by phone, text, PM, and email, but I’ll be checking them less frequently.

I certainly won’t stop thinking about the people most important in my life, including those I’ve been blessed to connect with online. I know how to reach out. I do hope that when my thoughts do turn towards them, that those thoughts will be more intentional, will mean more.

Wish me luck. I wish for you in the new year—and beyond—abundant joy, luck, peace, and love. 

B.