Where to next?

A most humiliating low. An uncomfortable, uncertain share.

Shona Owen
Jul 20, 2017 · 3 min read

Depression is trendy.

Fear & false info create industries.

Anxiety & Self-doubt are great for business.

Over-committed employees mean high productivity levels.

Websites feed you material proven to appeal to you.

Communities unite AGAINST something more then for it

Sensationalist content is created by algorithms proven to attract you.

All very real elements of society, whose very severe effects I was forced to confront. I’d pushed my stress to extent it affected the neurons in my brain. My most personal, inexcusable humiliation. Watching Netflix with my wonderful boyfriend, I first experienced a full blown seizure & loss of consciousness .

I had it covered. I was winning even, at having it all. Armed with the best intentions, formal academic qualifications, passion, a great support network, self-confidence & informed decisions- I failed on a dismal scale.

It won’t happen to you though? You are of sound mind & career orientated? This is an exception to the norm, a self-indulgent rant you can do without?

Not so.
Globally, rapidly growing number of people are currently living with mental impairments. Anxiety, depression, feelings of inferiority, overwhelming feelings of lack of success/ failure/achievements, fear of public interaction, insomnia & diminished attention span (ADHD?) are common knowledge and not unusual conditions.

  • Being available across many platforms 24 hours a day is expected.
  • Fast responses to notifications is a social norm.
  • Commenting & sharing your movements is a rewarding habit.
  • Ensuring your life reflects best in photos on social media takes priority over real time interaction.
  • Online reaction boosts your enjoyment of an experience.

Does your relationship have any substance until it is added to your social identity?

Individually, these are all laughable habits. Light entertainment, a social commentary for including your friends and family.
Viewed as a an entire culture, + a separate full business social media presence, we are living in an extremely demanding, non-stop, competitive, rapid reaction society with your life open to any interested persons.
(I have since learned, that this translates into our brains constantly running on a fight or flight level of alertness and anxiety.)

I can’t imagine what the next generation will consider normal!

There are easy, small, achievable ways to stop the effects of the information age affecting your well being, personal relationships and general sustainability. It’s a conscious different approach to life though. I hope this publication will serve as a guide for steering you out of the reality of the digital era. (The Lost Art of Living)

I’m a bit vulnerable here, but your input is very much welcomed. After all — some sage minds that took the time to explain these influences helped me start to accept myself in the first case!

The Lost Art of Living

A initiative to revive & restore basic human habits. Guide to enjoy your life in an time where technology takes priority over quality of life.

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Shona Owen

Written by

Take my advice. I'm not using it. (Cape Town, South Africa)

The Lost Art of Living

A initiative to revive & restore basic human habits. Guide to enjoy your life in an time where technology takes priority over quality of life.

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