After many restless nights of dealing with the anxiety of modern-day life, I came to the realization that I would be eternally happier without the noxious vapors of social media.
For many, it’s great, and even an essential duty of life — but for the hopeless romantic it seems to have morphed into a living nightmare.
Rest assured that social media is a superior way of consuming daily updates of other’s beautiful weddings, ever-growing children, inspirational quotes, overweight pets, political persuasions, exotic getaways, material possessions, and overall seemingly never-ending trail of forced beauty and plastic happiness.
However, I’m just not quite persuaded that our digital personas are an accurate representation of ourselves or humanity — a manic complex that leaves most of us psychologically drained, confused, and sometimes even partially impaired.
I’m afraid we have lost touch with nature and the finer things of our supposed physical reality, and have become infected with a 6-inch piece of glass containing all the transcribed secrets of our kind (and an endless sea of porn and games).
In short, I’m afraid this is the first inkling of an epidemic that will eventually consume our species.
As fervent as I try to remain conscious of the mindless scrolling through feeds of people I barely know — the machine always seems to take control like a sort of mesmerizing trance while ruthlessly gnawing away at the precious moments I have left.
I would never recommend an artist or really anyone to do what I’m about to do. Social media, like I said, is an essential tool for most.
For me, however, I’m okay with having zero followers and no likes. I’m okay calling and texting my closest friends and relatives. And I’m okay with the art of music and written words being my only form of communication with the world.
It is high time I focus solely on the social and creative health of a thing that has grown larger than myself.
At the end of the day, I just no longer have the time or energy to play the social media game. My mind just can’t quite handle it. It’s madness I tell you.
With that, please go and follow the magical journey of Santa Rosa Records on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook! You’ll be sad you missed it.
Update: 3/31/19
My two-month-long hiatus from social media was spectacular. I was happier, less stressed out, and was simply able to be more present in everyday life. However, in anticipation of a new release, I’ve decided to reactivate my Instagram. I’m not so sure for how long, but I am back in the game for the foreseeable future.
Do as I say, not as I do (a very wise man once told me).
“Beware that, when fighting monsters, you yourself do not become a monster…for when you gaze long into the abyss. The abyss gazes also into you.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
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