The Hit List - Digital de lo Habitual

Last week, I read Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World by Cal Newport, a book that aims to get folks to spend way less time plugged into social media. I wanted to read this book to see if I had a “problem” and what could be done about it. As I explored my relationship with apps ’n stuff, I realized my relationship with social media is not as unhealthy as I thought it might be. Most of what I do is work-related. My phone is set to “do not disturb” much of the time and notifications are disabled for parts of the day.

I am not on every single platform (nope, not on TikTok). I’m on Clubhouse but haven’t figured out if I need to be. People know I despise direct messages – so they follow up with me the right way: email. Even then, I limit myself to how much time I spend in the inbox – and my virtual assistant handles 95% of my emails.

My phone is never on in the evening and although I keep that sucker with me when I’m out and about, I’m not checking it every few minutes. (I mostly use my Starbucks app.) Try to call me and it goes straight to voicemail. Rarely do I pick up. Frankly, I’m not really a phone person.

Confession: I used to spend a lot more time fiddling around with all this social jazz. But I noticed I was getting depressed every time I logged in to Facebook. Although I enjoyed seeing pictures of babies and getting updates from my loved ones, sob stories and negativity seemed to be more prevalent. Top that off with the political climate of the past few years, and blech…my heart hurt if I spent any time there.

So I went in less and less. I deleted the app, got rid of Messenger (ew), and stopped responding to DMs.

And you know what? I wasn’t missing out on much. Plus: I felt better.

As I finished the book, I realized there are a few more things I want to change. I don’t want to be too habitual with my digital life. More apps will be removed and the phone may be forever on silent (I’m intrigued with the Lightphone).

Cal Newport has another new book out: A World Without Email: Reimagining Work in an Age of Communication Overload. It’s on my list of must-read books. While the assistant has made a difference in that part of my world, I’m ready to create more spaciousness in the inbox.

Because at the end of the day, do I want to say I answered every email immediately and spent all day scrolling social media? Nope. That’s not the life for me. I want to write all the books, have conversations with my loved ones, cook interesting meals, and read everything I can get my hands on that isn’t on a computer. I want to look up, look people in the eye, and be utterly present.

While I’ll never abandon social media, I can choose to be mindful when I use it. So what about you? Does social media rule your life? Are you glued to the phone? Or are you looking up and seeing what’s around you?

One of the things I do enjoy about my phone: photography. When I’m on nature walks, I love taking snaps of pretty things I notice along the way. These crocuses made me smile.

Other stuff:

We’ve got a Full Moon in Libra this weekend. Here’s what you need to know – plus mini readings for every zodiac sign with the Pocket of Peers Tarot!

This is my favorite story of the week: A Dog Who Kept Sneaking into a Dollar General for a Unicorn Toy Gets His Plush and a New Start.

I want to try this: Even an SF pastry chef couldn’t help me perfect the hardest thing I’ve stress baked during Covid.

Cool: Rare images by one of history’s earliest photographers up for sale.

Check out this spread from Tarot Pugs: A Russian Cross Tarot Spread.

From Vogue: Twitter Was My Digital Home, But The Abuse Became Too Much.

Ew: Lysol’s Horrifying History Of Marketing Cleaning Products As Birth Control.

I love this from Anne Lamott: Time Lost and Found.

Lisa Stardust teaches How to Create Your Own Astrology Birth Chart over at Vogue.

Beaten, Cuffed, Hauled Away: When Myanmar’s Military Comes Knocking.

Learn about Venus through the houses in the natal chart.

Wow: The Do-Gooder Ploy.

The pictures say it all: These two photos show who Georgia’s new elections law benefits — and hurts.

From Refinery29: The Pandemic Put Our Lives On Pause. So We’re Window-Shopping For New Ones.

TikTok astrologer Maryaam dishes on The Astrology of Demi Lovato.

That’s where they went: Tarot readers, mystics, and psychics are taking over OnlyFans.

Agreed: Thank god for Dan Levy.

Now you know: Annie’s Mac and Cheese is based in the Bay Area, but Annie is not. Here’s her story.

Looking forward to this book from Terri Cole: Boundary Boss: The Essential Guide to Talk True, Be Seen, and (Finally) Live Free.

My son loves this book: Breath: The New Science of a Lost Art.

Want: The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.

I love her other books: It’s Not Complicated: Simple Recipes for Every Day by Katie Lee Biegel.

Looks amazing: The Marathon Don’t Stop: The Life and Times of Nipsey Hussle.

It’s here! Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is now available as an audiobook.

Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is a useful manual for tarot lovers of all levels. Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro, my “tarotcises” will help you get a deeper, better connection to the cards…and your intuition.

If you’ve always wanted to learn astrology but didn’t know where to being, you’re in luck: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious). I wrote this book specifically for folks who felt intimidated by all that astro-babble.

Have you checked out The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle? It’s a beaut!

I can’t believe The Tarot Coloring Book has been out for almost five years – and still going strong! Yay for tarot ‘n coloring!

If you’re trying to make sense of a world that seems to be off the rails, check out Tarot For Troubled Times, a tarot book focused on healing, empowerment, and self-care.

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