I set out on a dream that I couldn't understand
It made me happy, sad, love, lonely and I don't know what I had
Everything is alright
all of this is temporary
Don't call me by my name All of this is temporary Watch as I slip away For your sake All of this is temporary ... All of this is temporary
fear and growth
One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.
here and now
Happiness, ...not in another place but this place - not for another hour, but this hour.
the paradox of too much
Like a lot of people, I go through bursts of wanting to learn as much as I can and wanting to do nothing.
An unintended consequence of this was lengthy lists of bookmarked articles and courses to read, netflix shows to watch, music to listen to, books to get to, etc. These items seemed to grow, not shrink over time and left a weird sense of slight guilt that I couldn't get to them. Some bookmarks were 5-10 years old.
I've always been more of a minimalist then someone who clutters physical things. Digitally, it's even tougher to keep organized - probably because things are so cheap and abundant now. Here is every music album for $10 a month, here are 100s of shows, etc. In the physical world even if you wanted to collect everything, you would have space and financial restrictions.
I started pruning parts of my netflix list and bookmarks but it wasn't fast enough for my liking. I have settled on a personal rule to not have more then 5 items in my netflix list (over time this has usually been no more then 3). For my bookmarks, I've taken a time sensitive approach. As a prefix to each bookmark or category of bookmarks I write a date. On that date, if I have not gone through the material, I delete it. If I am interested in something and realize I will not have time to get to it, I have extended the deadline in advance. These instances in part have been due to poor/unreasonable "scheduling". I also have a permanent "current_work" folder which has no time limit.
After a couple months, I think the experiment has been a success. I feel better with these shorter lists. More focused, less obligated to get through material that I am going over just to complete it but have no desire to, and also more productive with my time.
For years now this "problem" of seemingly infinite information and material has been compounding and accelerating. I think we need to take steps individually to get some sanity and control over it instead of letting it dictate our schedules and life.
The paradox of choice is very real but can be combated
Spotlight Song
Spotlight Album
Tom Petty - Waiting For Tonight ()
“Just out walking, letting my mind roam
If she hung around too much I might take her for granted
But when I was away, she seemed an angel
The only one who really cared about me
The only one without an angle
For so long I've been lonely
Now I'm too weak to fight
I've been waiting for tonight
I've been waiting for tonight ”
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Words of Wisdom
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen.
George Orwell, "1984"
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