Video isn't real, do what you love, and keep it simple

Ellipses, Feb 15… Issue #42

Video isn’t real, do what you love, and keep it simple

Ellipses… a small, special character. Used by writers to slow down, create a pause, and indicate thinking.

⚫️ 1 thought: Video is false connection 🪶

What is it about certain TV shows that keep you hooked, even despite your best efforts to replace your TV habit with something else?

No matter how many times I rewatch Grey’s Anatomy, I’m still drawn to it. The pace, the characters, the storylines, the dramatic arc interruptions. I deleted Netflix from my iPad. I asked Mr. Brio to change the Netflix password. But still, I return. (I have my ways.)

I’ve gone head-first into reading in trying to watch less TV. Like obsessively reading. But even as I read Celeste Ng’s delicious fiction prose in Our Missing Hearts, I still just want to know what happens to “my people” in Grey’s. As I contemplate how to live with intention while reading Sarah Susanka’s The Not So Big Life, I feel the urge to see how that massive tragedy turned out in Grey’s.

For me, the addiction to TV directly translates to social media video addictions, too. Sometimes I let up and enjoy a good binge on Reels. But other times I have a more cynical view of the entire trajectory of society.

As all of culture moves to video with platforms favoring more engaging video content, it makes me wonder about the future of connection. Sure, we’re more connected than ever, and anyone with an iPhone that can string together full sentences can become a prolific content creator. At work, video calls and asynchronous video updates allow us to work together—but apart. It’s surely a good thing, right? With video communication, there’s a lot less room for interpretation, since you can see nonverbal cues and facial expressions.

But really, it seems like video is our society’s weak attempt to make meaningful connections from afar.

If our basic emotional human needs are authenticity and attachment, then we’re doing ourselves a major disservice by creating and consuming content that parades as human connection.

Any video, even a 1-to-1 FaceTime call, is not the same as quality time spent with a caring community member. Awkward pauses and all.

No matter what community you find yourself in, push for in-person meetups. Sure, the ‘vid and other nasty germs are still a thing, so go at your own risk. And of course, always protect your own mental health. But if all systems are firing? Don’t let the social messiness of in-person gatherings deter you from an opportunity to engage with other living, breathing human beings, and create interactions—big or small, meaningful or not—that can last a lifetime and build real connections.

⚫️ 1 link: Do what you love and make (a ton of) money 🔗

There’s one podcast episode in particular that I listen to every 3 months, like clockwork. It helps me to remember the importance of balance and boundaries when it comes to my personal work and professional work.

Listen to this short episode on the Optimal Living Daily podcast:

⚫️ 1 journal prompt: What would it look like if it were simple? 📔

I veer toward neuroticism more than I care to admit. Like, “Oh my gosh, if I want to be a full-time creative writer, should I clean out my old, bad articles from Medium and start fresh? Or should I keep them published for the historical aspect?”

When I read rants like this in my journal, the slightly older and (only slightly) wiser version of me rolls my eyes and says:

“Hey, Jenny-of-a-few-months-ago. Guess what. None of that matters. Make it simple. Instead of bringing drama to the table, focus on the main goal. You want to write. So write. Write often. Where you choose to publish online hardly matters. Sure, publish and put your best foot forward. But when it really comes down to it? The act of writing matters more than the beginnings of a personal brand.”

Your turn. Is there something you put off doing because it feels like there are too many moving pieces? What can you do to make it simple and just get started so you can work toward your underlying goal?

Thanks for reading!

Hit reply to chat further on any of the above. I’m an open book and I love to hear from you. See you next week.

Be safe and well,

🖤 Jenny