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I’ve written about 3 or 4 drafts in October and November, but nothing felt right. The past two months have been heavy as we watch from afar what has been unfolding in Gaza. In the midst of everything going on, I have been distraught, along with many of my colleagues, about how journalists have been impacted while covering the Israeli bombardment in Gaza and Lebanon. And honestly, more than ever, it feels odd to move through digital spaces while horrors unfold around the world.
Social media is a weird place and I found it fascinating to see how people were communicating and engaging with one another in the past two months. I don’t think I have anything insightful to add, but I have some thoughts on where I’m at regarding my presence on social media, especially Instagram.
At the end of 2022, I took a month break from social media after reading Cal Newport’s book “Digital Minimalism: Choosing a Focused Life in a Noisy World”, and I loved it. If you follow me on instagram, I’m sure you’ve seen me lament about my dissatisfaction and frustration with being there. It’s become toxic and I have to admit, I’m addicted. But it hasn’t been a fun place for me for a while and I don’t think it is for a lot of us. I can’t help but wonder what I’m doing with my time on there.
I know it’s a theme I talk about a lot, especially since I’ve become a parent. I know I cannot extend time or have any idea of how much time I have on earth, but am I really using it in the best way possible?
Why am I giving so much of my time to this app that doesn’t give me much in return. A dear friend sent me this Ezra Klein episode about deep reading and how it impacts our brain in significant ways. The guest, Maryanne Wolf, mentioned the idea of protecting our ‘inner sanctuary’ by honestly looking at our digital distractions and how we can rewire our minds to not skim and scroll through the overflow of information on our screens.
“What if we just lived in our worlds where we were meant to live?” - Glennon Doyle on We Can Do Hard Things episode 260 with Roxane Gay and the topic of whether we should quit social media.
I want to live in the world I was meant to live in. The world here in Philadelphia, with my husband and my son. With my friends and neighbors. With the big trees of the Wissahickon and many stray cats that roam our streets. I was not meant to live on instagram. I convinced myself I was building community, staying in touch and engaging in meaningful conversations through the app, but I don’t feel any of it. If anything, I feel a false sense of connection and don’t find it appealing anymore. I don’t want to give so much of my life away that easily.
I’m scared. Sigh. Scared to be forgotten. Afraid I’ll be irrelevant. Maybe I’ll lose work? How else do I feel better of myself if I don’t get that dopamine hit from the likes, comments and reshares? I don’t know, but I guess this is an act of trust.
I’m still figuring out how to wean myself off and walk away from it, but for now, IG will be a space for my work and self-promotion and no longer where I’ll be sharing my personal life. You’ll see more of that here.
Thank you for sticking around and reading through all this. I’m grateful for every reader and those who take the time to be here with me.
Some film photos from the fall
Snippets from my Thanksgiving trip to Chicago
Published Work
Last month I met Cherokee artist Kay WalkingStick at her lovely home in Easton, Pennsylvania for the New York Times.
WalkingStick had her largest museum exhibition show in New York City open last month at the New-York Historical society.
‘For Dr. Ikemoto, the show’s curator, it’s an opportunity to bring new voices into the way the institution presents history. “The tendency still today is to assume that when somebody says American art, they’re thinking about the art produced by European American settlers,” she said. “To insert Kay’s work into that discussion and actually have it be the frame through which we look at the older works, it lets Native art stand on its own but also addresses its absolute vitality to the story of American art.”’
She overlays geometric patterns used by the Native tribe connected to the specific land and place in her paintings.
“I think of it as a reminder that we’re all living on Indian Territory.”
The city of Philadelphia elected their first woman mayor in November for its 100th mayor. I photographed Cherelle Parker at her election watch party for the New York Times
Late November, I met Kendra McDowell and her daughter Kaitlyn at their home for a story on how Biden voters feel about the economy.
Links, podcasts, blogs ✨✨✨
One of my fave photographers, Gioncarlo Valentine has one of the best newsletters out there. Check out his November letter
Marlee Grace and why she quit Instagram
I haven’t been reading too much, but here are two recommendations.
Susanna Clarke - Paranesi (I wish I could explain but I’ll just say it was strange, fantastical, mysterious and beautiful all at the same time. Thanks to Tanner Curtis for this recommendation to get me out of a reading slump)
Sabrina Imbler - How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures (Thanks Rachel Wisniewski for this recommendation. Easy audiobook listen on essays that feature various sea creatures and Imbler finds a way to connect the creature to their life. Did you know, when cared for, goldfish can grow forever. Disturbing)
Dr. Becky Kennedy’s conversation with Adam Grant on unlocking your children’s potential - great listen even for those that aren’t parents.
These photos are stunning, Hannah. Thanks for sharing your work. I hear you on IG - I still find value in group chats/DMs there, but I spend a lot less time scrolling nowadays (which is probably good).
I have been off Instagram for most of the last two years. Although I am not relying on business, and it is nice to see what former students are up to, it is the constant scroll and dopamine rush that I get lost in. Real (not reel) life is right in front of us. Grab onto it, literally. Best wishes Hannah and I look forward to your newsletter.