Diminishing Presence
I've decided to spend less time on the 'net. Since this time last year, I've spent an exorbitant amount of time networking, making connections, teaching the course, blogging like a fiend. I've met some really great people throughout the years, and it could have only been possible with this box and its access to the world. I've also met some real sh*ts. Following the politics, attempting to stay out of the politics, and then getting sucked back into the politics ~ it's exhausting. I have enough of a real life not to depend on the 'net for all my social networking, and I don't care enough about what some people are doing to try to keep up. My best education opportunity is right here, in this studio. And maybe in France ~ jus' a little. Just recently, someone not in my home showed concern for my well being because she noticed how much time I was devoting to keeping this ball rolling. My problems with the 'net are two-fold; one, I'm an information freak. If it weren't the 'net, it'd be the newspaper or a political magazine, and two, I like to know what my friends and colleagues are up to and support them in any way I can, and it appears this "need" has turned into an obsession. The information I can live without, supporting people who sometimes go unnoticed, I can't. I'll be able to devote more time to building up Le Parfumeur Rebelle, my own business, and teaching real, live classes, as I've wanted to do all along. I want to spend more time with my family and friends, spend more time getting real, valuable perfume work done. I want my studio in order. I want to devote time to creating spectacular perfume, beautiful soap, fabulous scrubs and elixirs, to finish up on my books, get some other artistic ideas out of my head and into the world ~ basically, I don't want to do this anymore.
I'll still be around. Checking emails, writing an occasional blog post, splashing an ad on Facebook. And that labdanum project I told y'all about a few weeks ago, that's still going to happen, as will other evaluative type projects, specific perfume-related stuff. But the blah-blah-blah, like this post, not gonna happen anymore.
Love ya.
It's a well deserved break, and I wish you the best!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your blog and I will miss it.
ReplyDeleteWishing you all the best,
Barbara
You're going to feel like you have your creative and rational life back, stepping back from the 'net. There are places I haven't participated for going on two years now, and it has made all the difference in terms of productivity everywhere else in my life.
ReplyDeleteThe things to always ask yourself periodically with participation anywhere are, 1) how can I make a positive contribution?, 2) is it possible to make a positive contribution without being used?, 3) does my participation here further the goals I have set for myself, or does it enable me to remain in a rut?, and related to that... is there a sense of momentum here overall, or is it just a communal rut?
It is challenging because the things that define social interaction on the 'net are so fluid, and what people come to bulletin boards are lists for tends to be very fluid and loosy goosy as well. Not everyone has the same goals, or has an even remotely altruistic streak, although it becomes immediately apparent who needs a keeper, who is hanging around to sponge, and who will never master google-fu.
The hardest thing I ever did was to pull back and hold my cards closer to my chest. It has helped me to stay focused on one thing at a time (okay, upwards of three things at a time, which is an improvement over the baker's dozen I had going...)
I do understand your decissions more than well since I have cut down my time with groups etc too.
ReplyDeleteWish you all luck with your perfumed and family life, but I must say that I am going to miss reading your witty, querky posts here.HUGS!!!