on taking a day off
after you read this, please put your phone down & join the real world
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. I think we all know that. But what many of you may not know is that tomorrow is also Womens’ Day Off the Internet.
That’s right, folks. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving and I think - regardless of gender - we should all stay off the internet.
This isn’t something I’ve come up with on my own. It was actually announced by author and podcaster Jo Piazza, whose podcast Under the Influence has presented some really enlightening information around the subject of influencers, mom bloggers, and what happens to all of us when we spend too much time 1) on the internet, 2) trying to come up with the “perfect content” for the internet, and 3) comparing ourselves to everyone else we see there.
Her other point? That womens’ online presence is basically the whole reason the internet survives…even if they aren’t the ones “running” it.
From influencer Amazon hauls to online shopping in general, it’s us ladies who make the online world go round. I mean, personally, I have no real influence in the media space, but a lot of other women do. And every time we “like” and “share” and add to the viral zeitgeist of the moment, we’re perpetuating something that is growing out of our control and into a dangerous force that we can’t escape. Something that is run by and ultimately benefits very rich and powerful men.
If you’re curious, I strongly suggest listening to the whole podcast, because I don’t have nearly the amount of information that Ms. Piazza could share with you in a few hours’ time. But basically, she has suggested that tomorrow - Thanksgiving - when we should all be embracing the beauty of the present moment with friends and/or family anyways, we should just take a day off.
A day off to make a statement.
A day off for our mental health.
A day off to just BE in the moment and not worry about everyone else’s perfect tablescapes or gorgeous family photos or whatever other FOMO might be lurking in the next scroll of our social media feed of choice.
You can shop allll the Black Friday deals you want on Friday, but this Thursday, just let it be. No Amazon. No Instagram. No Tik Tok. No liking. No sharing. No posting. No peeking.
If you don’t have the luxury of spending time with those you love, or you’re feeling a little lonely and lost and like the only thing that will save you is a little doom-scrolling, pick up a book, or a magazine. Binge a heartwarming show. Or a true crime documentary. Go outside and take a walk! Talk to your cat. Bake something warm and tasty, just for you.
We don’t have to live in the Metaverse. We don’t have to stare at our phones to escape whatever we’re escaping. You may not feel it now, but eventually it will all add up and make everything (i.e. jealousy, anxiety, comparison, lust, greed, sadness) worse.
So today, just take a day off. If not for the impact, for yourself.
And when you come back to it, be mindful. Be present. Be kind. And feel free to take another break whenever YOU need it.