This week

Lost ideas, scrolling or not, and some books, of course

I really need to start using my notebooks more and write down all the thoughts I have. I had an idea for today’s letter, but it is all gone in the big void now and I’m sitting at my desk staring at the screen like it’s supposed to tell me something that will change the world. Unfortunately it keeps its mouth shut.

Coffee break in the sun and with some good company

This week I found myself deleting Instagram from my phone. It wasn’t a thought out decision, I was just fed up with myself scrolling mindlessly, instead of picking up a book. I was also tired of seeing all the same things every single day, people copying other people and just not seeing enough of posts which would make me feel good. I mean, I love the posts by people I follow on there, but there’s been a lot less activity lately on the app and also I’ve caught myself scrolling, but not engaging with all those amazing people and it’s not the way I want to be present there. Or anywhere, actually.

Stephanie

has written about it here and I don’t feel like talking about it much more, so read her post if you’re interested about her reasons for leaving Instagram, with which I can identify:

On a random day in February I found myself fed up with Instagram. I realized every time I opened the app seeking connection I closed it feeling frustrated, angry, overwhelmed, discouraged or some other negative emotion I certainly don’t need more of in my life. This is partly due to current events, but also just the app itself: the noise, endless scroll, and algorithm which readily serves up ads, suggested content, and outrage instead of my chosen community.

I’m carefully trying out Notes on here and I’ve got Bluesky, but I’m still not sure if it’s the way to go for me. I’m mostly afraid that I will exchange one mindless scrolling for another and this is not what I need right now.

In other (but related) news, I’ll be diving into Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams soon, just after I’ve read the books I’ve brought home from the library. I wasn’t planning on reading it, I don’t need more convincing that the tech bros are not the greatest people in the world, but because Meta was trying to crash this book and make sure we all won’t hear about it, I went and bought it and now can’t wait to read it, alongside the Autocracy, Inc. by Anne Applebaum.

And while we’re talking about books, I really want to read lots more this year (hence irritation with scrolling habits) and also buy less books (only e-books on deals are allowed; I’ve broke this one with the two books mentioned above, but it’s for a good cause and my husband wanted to read them too). This means that I’m on a strict diet of library books and (e-)books I already own, which is a lot, plus my e-book subscription, where I’m allowed to add new books to my shelves. I’ve also decided to read more in Dutch this year (yay for the library!) and found myself a challenge to read the longlists of Libris and de Boon prizes (the first is from the Netherlands, the second from Belgium). This will help me with the choices and keep me reading, hopefully.

The idea I had and haven’t written down did not come back to me, but I still found some words to write to you, luckily.

Tell me about your week in the comments below.

Till next week,

Anna