Media You Can Consume Instead Of Doomscrolling
On the Comfort of the Wild Geese and Running Away to the Irish Countryside
This week has been chaotic. It will mark the third time I’ve moved in six months, and it feels like I can’t catch up. I’ve spent more time than I care to admit doom-scrolling, staying up late, and putting my energy into things that let’s be honest probably don’t serve me.
Still, I’ve been lucky enough to find small moments — whether over my morning coffee or in those quiet in-between spaces — where I’ve found refuge through the pieces I’m about to share with you. In corners of the internet like these, I’m reminded that creativity is all around, sometimes you just have to look a little bit closer. These articles are a mirror into my mind, and I hope you’ll allow them to hold you too throughout the coming week.
As I mentioned earlier, my phone has consumed me what feels like, more than ever this week. I’ve found myself staring at a screen well into the night, avoiding the things that I know will make me feel better. This beautiful piece by Miss Typed touched on every feeling I’ve had towards social media recently. It explores the idea of quitting social media and its implications for young people today. Although I don’t think I’ll ever give it up completely, it’s made me think again about creating a more sustainable relationship with platforms like Instagram and TikTok. If you ever feel like you’re swimming in the endless soup of media, maybe this article might help.
As much as social media hasn’t been great for my mental health, platforms like Substack and YouTube feel like the exception... I must confess I am an ipad kid at heart. There’s something about long-form media that feeds my soul. My beautiful friend Kwesi has recently started creating YouTube videos, and I couldn’t be more grateful. His videos feel like a warm hug or a FaceTime with a close friend. He greets you with empathy and kindness — something we definitely need more of in the current climate. HIs most recent vlog shows his life as it is. He is unappoligictically himself and I admire that deeply… i think you will too.
Joan Didion’s Books Should Have Been Enough
The ethical question of publishing authors’ diaries posthumously has intrigued me this week, especially with the recent publication of Joan Didion’s diaries. I’m on the fence about consuming works like this and, honestly, I’m still not sure what I believe (which is scary to admit). This article gave me some food for thought. If you’re interested in Joan Didion, the publishing industry, or both, you might love it too.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve always wanted more. It’s not a trait I’m proud of, and it’s something I’m working on. In a digital age, it’s hard not to crave the next item or trend before the first one has even arrived at your door. This year I made a vow to consume less — and when I do consume, to do so more intentionally.This Substack was the perfect read over my coffee this week and reminded me of what truly matters. Although the article centres mostly around having children, it still felt utterly relevant. Do I need that new pair of shoes? What about that cute knitted jumper? Probably not. It was a gentle reminder to remain mindful of what I’m consuming, and for that, I’m grateful.
Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I follow a certain trail. It’s like breadcrumbs scattered all the way to a deep breath you didn’t know you needed. This trail almost always leads me to Mary Oliver. A few years ago, I was fed a clip of Mary Oliver reading Wild Geese by my algorithm, and I don’t think my life has ever been the same — and that’s not an exaggeration. If you haven’t seen this video of Mary Oliver reading from A Thousand Mornings, I implore you to watch it.
When I’m not floating around the internet, I’m almost always reading. Reading has always been my number one. Audiobooks also hold a special place in my heart. I’ve never understood the audiobook-hating train — audiobooks open up a whole new world of reading. They make it not only more accessible but can also present a story in a way you never expected. I originally decided not to recommend books in these weekly reports, but I had to mention this next one.
Shred Sisters by Betsy Lerner is a book I first read last year. It’s a deeply moving exploration of sisterhood and the complexities of navigating mental illness. It’s an emotional journey of resilience and self-discovery that will stay with you long after the final page. It was quite literally the only thing that kept me sane while packing boxes this week.
The Mind in Solitude: An Interview with Claire-Louise Bennett
If you can’t already tell, there’s a theme to my reading and consumption this week: I have consumed too much — and as a result questioned, multiple times, dropping off the face of the internet and moving to the woods.I remember reading Pond about a year ago, at a time when I felt similarly overwhelmed. The book follows an unnamed narrator as she moves away to a small cottage on the west coast of Ireland to live in complete solitude — and it’s fabulous. I happened to stumble across an interview between Claire-Louise Bennett and The Paris Review this week, from around the time of Pond’s publication, and it felt like exactly what I needed. So now I gift it to you.
I’m not one for a lot of TV. At night, my life oscillates between reading and endless scrolling on social media. I’ve been completing The Artist’s Way program (which could definitely have its own Substack post) and part of the program is to spend two hours doing something that feeds your creative soul. I’ve definitely overcomplicated this exercise at times. This week, though, I saw a TikTok explaining that it doesn’t need to be some grand gesture — and because of that, I decided to finally watch a film that’s been on my list forever: The Piano Teacher.
This film has won many awards, and I understand why. As much as it is utterly strange and, at times, grotesque, I found myself thinking about it all week — about oppression and control, power and submission, and the complexities of desire. (Do be warned: this movie is very heavy, but it’s a stunning piece of cinema.) Also, it’s available for free through Kanopy, which is my latest obsession.
So there you have it. I hope you found this letter like a much-needed change of pace, and that you finish feeling a little more seen. I hope your week is slow and full of kindness, and I can’t wait to catch up in the same place next week.
Big hugs,
Charlee x
The piano teacher was incredibly intense. There are moments in time where the gut wrenching ending (kinda literally) pops into mind — an intense despair with no where to go.
While I don’t think I’ll ever watch it again, the memory haunts me.