I've removed nearly all "distractions" that took up time that I could have spent writing, but I'm still not writing. I have all of this "space" now after taking a huge step back from content creation. Its been about 3 weeks now that I've been off of short form platforms, both as a creator and a consumer. I do have to admit though, I downloaded Instagram 3 times in the span of the last 2 days to try to see how it'd feel after such a long break, and WOW. The interest is gone. Each time logging back on was the same experience. Overstimulating. My attention span has recalibrated and it's just too fast paced for me now.
Before I decided to delete the app the first time, I was already feeling overstimulated by short form content. I've heard people call it short form burnout. It's just too much at once and so easy to scroll through 15 different scenarios in the matter of 3 minutes. Now that I've actually taken a break from that kind of stimulation and tried to return, it's just not the same. I would much rather enjoy a long form video that isn't edited very choppy and doesn't try to fit 12 hours into 15 seconds.
Even the way these platforms are structured feels overstimulating. From your own feed, to the suggested feed, to what your friends or who you are following is posting - it's just so much information in so many different places at once. No wonder we are overstimulated.
At first, I kept the YouTube and Pinterest app on my phone during this social media break, but quickly realized they became my new scrolling platforms. So now I've decided to remove those off my phone as well. I've completely stopped sharing my own art / photography on social media other than what I decide to post on this blog and there's something so sacred about that.
I'm also experimenting with unique ways to share my favorite moments captured through photography in video format on my YouTube channel because now it feels like I'm lacking a container for photography. Although I can post it here, it just feels different because I'm so used to the instant sharing that came with short form platforms. So I'm taking this as an opportunity to figure something different out. YouTube is pretty much the only place I plan on posting content from here on out.
I'm feeling a shift in who I am as a creator and how I share my art. I'm wanting to put that awe I feel when I witness a beautiful moment into something with more depth. Although I appreciate capturing the moment for what it is, I'm feeling like I want to create something out of that experience if that makes sense. I guess you could call that inspiration? And I think that's beautiful. Since stepping away from consuming short form social media or actively participating in posting on it, my creativity has flourished again, in ways I never expected.
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