It’s amazing how you can just tell if something was written freehand first versus the whole process being screen mediated from start to finish. It’s certainly something I’ve noticed with my own work- the way you think is different with a pen in hand and no facility to cut and paste and move whole paragraphs around.
That said this was excellent and (like many others I’m sure) I’m glad Paul Kingsnorth pointed me in your direction.
Love the fact that you tied this piece to your pilgrimage experience Ruth, it worked a treat! So many rich analogies here to help one on their own digital detox pilgrimage.
I especially found the idea of preparing your mind for the (inevitable) trials ahead in the same way a hiker needs to prepare for the journey very helpful.
I think I will follow your advice in footnote 4 and write a piece at the end of May on my thoughts on the cognitive liberty experience.
Ruth, I had a thought! I've really enjoyed reading Kingsnorth and the other similar Substacks, but I find that none of them addresses how to live with technology and in our current culture in the context of a family with kids. I have three kids and am making choices about raising them constantly. How much and what kind of tech? How much free play? How much focus on academia and when is too young? And then as a Christian, how to show them the world yet not expose them to unnecessary negative influence through tech, public school, etc. I would love to hear your thoughts about some of these things in future articles!
I began the detox and felt so much better for it on the first 3 days, but today, day 4, and I’ve found it really hard. As my mind rewires, I’m feeling withdrawal symptoms 🤦♀️ Here’s my first post about it during the first 3 days — https://whattodo.substack.com/p/digital-detox-and-loving-the-ordinary — I’m wondering if there are others out there finding the same thing?
A great sequel to your first essay on this topic around Digital Minimalism and the Digital Detox Pilgrimage . Like others mentioned, the succint style of your writing flows so elegantly and that definitely highlights how writing freehand is far superior when it comes to articulating our thoughts in depth and rich imagery. Your Structure complements this aspect so well as the simple tips and steps flow in unison with your personal anecdotes. It refreshes the imagination in its entirety when one can reap the seeds of both practical wisdom and a story to indulge in its delicate wholesome details. The Pilgrimage sounds like it planted the seeds of your current worldview and how contemplation through moments of solitude brought you closer to Faith. Lastly, I will be joining the Digital Detox community this month and look forward to see the change in my relationships with technology in your life, mine and others here on Substack.
Thank you, Ruth for encouraging us all to try this. I will be joining in the detox and am looking forward to testing myself, and hopefully gaining some of my focus, and humanity, back!
Apr 29, 2023·edited Apr 29, 2023Liked by Ruth Gaskovski
Oh I like the digital detox ideas! I will talk about it with my husband and kids and maybe we can all try. Thanks for telling the story of your pilgrimage: I really enjoyed.
Thanks for the shout out!
It’s amazing how you can just tell if something was written freehand first versus the whole process being screen mediated from start to finish. It’s certainly something I’ve noticed with my own work- the way you think is different with a pen in hand and no facility to cut and paste and move whole paragraphs around.
That said this was excellent and (like many others I’m sure) I’m glad Paul Kingsnorth pointed me in your direction.
My family is in! We tried and utterly failed something similar during Lent, but I’d like to have another go at it. Bless you for encouraging us all!
Love the fact that you tied this piece to your pilgrimage experience Ruth, it worked a treat! So many rich analogies here to help one on their own digital detox pilgrimage.
I especially found the idea of preparing your mind for the (inevitable) trials ahead in the same way a hiker needs to prepare for the journey very helpful.
I think I will follow your advice in footnote 4 and write a piece at the end of May on my thoughts on the cognitive liberty experience.
I hope to complete El Camino one day.
Ruth, I had a thought! I've really enjoyed reading Kingsnorth and the other similar Substacks, but I find that none of them addresses how to live with technology and in our current culture in the context of a family with kids. I have three kids and am making choices about raising them constantly. How much and what kind of tech? How much free play? How much focus on academia and when is too young? And then as a Christian, how to show them the world yet not expose them to unnecessary negative influence through tech, public school, etc. I would love to hear your thoughts about some of these things in future articles!
I’ve made a plan to write my list tonight. Very much looking forward to this. Thanks again Ruth!
Absolutely loved this. I've long wanted to do this pilgrimage and this was an inspiring account of what it's like.
I began the detox and felt so much better for it on the first 3 days, but today, day 4, and I’ve found it really hard. As my mind rewires, I’m feeling withdrawal symptoms 🤦♀️ Here’s my first post about it during the first 3 days — https://whattodo.substack.com/p/digital-detox-and-loving-the-ordinary — I’m wondering if there are others out there finding the same thing?
A great sequel to your first essay on this topic around Digital Minimalism and the Digital Detox Pilgrimage . Like others mentioned, the succint style of your writing flows so elegantly and that definitely highlights how writing freehand is far superior when it comes to articulating our thoughts in depth and rich imagery. Your Structure complements this aspect so well as the simple tips and steps flow in unison with your personal anecdotes. It refreshes the imagination in its entirety when one can reap the seeds of both practical wisdom and a story to indulge in its delicate wholesome details. The Pilgrimage sounds like it planted the seeds of your current worldview and how contemplation through moments of solitude brought you closer to Faith. Lastly, I will be joining the Digital Detox community this month and look forward to see the change in my relationships with technology in your life, mine and others here on Substack.
Thank you, Ruth for encouraging us all to try this. I will be joining in the detox and am looking forward to testing myself, and hopefully gaining some of my focus, and humanity, back!
Here because of Paul. Liked immensely what you wrote and will join the detox this month and hopefully longer💙
Oh I like the digital detox ideas! I will talk about it with my husband and kids and maybe we can all try. Thanks for telling the story of your pilgrimage: I really enjoyed.