Working on a couple projects

I have been writing.

Does anyone else miss the days where social media was a good (but brief) read? Maybe not even a good read, but at least it was words on a page that lead to a point.

I do. I liked writing a little bit about my day or my latest projects, and then reading my friends' updates--especially when my friends were out of town or traveling. I'm a real sucker for a travelog. I wish people would get with the program and away from the dopamine hits.

Not receiving responses on something like a Facebook post denies that hit, and if I remember correctly, there's research out there (?) about it. I'll bet it gives the effect of real life rejection. If you have rejection sensitivity (or have enhanced sensitivity due to these perceived slights), I think Facebook can do tangible harm. Which I think there's another study about.

Anyway, my latest project is a guide to the how and why of social media detoxing, which will be a bit of a lurch, because I will have to publish it on some of the big three to get the message out. There seems to be misconceptions on the how and the what with a detox, and I have a few thoughts on that. Essentially, it should serve you; you shouldn't be chained to it.

My other projects are more in flux. And a bit more niche, I think.

I used to have a Substack, but it was very niche and very--like--debunk heavy. Not a whole lot in direct call-outs, but I think the vibe was a little cynical.

The problem with writing only when you have inspiration is that it's almost a reactive process, as opposed to a proactive one. So you're only creating content when you're in a specific emotional state. And sometimes, that emotional state is irritation verging on rage. Uh oh.

Even without directly acting like a smug know-it-all, I feel like some irritation comes through. Or maybe this is my writer's con-crit brain coming out. In any case, I'd like to write that kind of stuff from a completely different mind space. I've had some success with pivoting, but now it all sounds so niche that it's low-key alienating the reader.