The first 2 days I tried to stay offline I was still sneaking looks at my notifications when no one was around. Then it became easier: I was packing bags to visit family, then someone I love ended up in the hospital so plans changed and I spent a lot of time with her. I made mochi with my family on NYE and left my phone on the banister all evening. A friend lent me a physical book, which at first felt so slow and heavy in my hand, until it turned out to be a portal, light and infinite. My phone battery died sometime in the night, I hadn’t even set up my charger when we got back into town. I didn’t notice until I was done with brie on toast, done playing flying squirrel with Miko, done watching the rain slowly come to a stop outside the window.
There is internet air, and then there is early January air: fogged and white, everywhere.
It was nice to come back to my body a bit, but I missed you all. It’s just a fact: you, my friends, live in this little screen. I want to be here with you.
I’m just now beginning to reply to the snowpile of messages that have drifted in — if it seems like I missed your note and it was time sensitive, don’t hesitate to message me again and bump it up the list.
Sometimes when I leave it feels like everyone will be gone when I get back. It makes me afraid of taking a break.
Do you know that feeling?
What are you up to today? have you eaten anything recently that felt like home? have you read a physical book lately?
I hope the new year has been bright and easy so far with lots of early dinners.
Here’s to another year of friendship and art with you xx
love,
Brit
Popping on my art biz hat for a moment with some *announcements*
- Stickers, pins, notebooks and sale art bundles were up for the holidays, but in the whirlwind/long nap of the last couple weeks I never took them down. They’ll be up through this weekend, then they are either coming down completely (till summer?) or tucking away in the patron shop. If you’d like some, swing by asap.
- Annual Patreon (monthly art via snail mail! - 15% off) and Easy Does It (paint with me! - 2 months free) memberships are on sale. We only do this once to celebrate the New Year! These specials will both end in the next week or so. I hope you join us! We have fun. :)
I share your feelings about online/offline life. I just read How to break up with your phone by Catherine Price and went down a long digital detox. I love being offline, forgetting about my phone and pretending smartphones were never invented. But at the same time, I can stay in touch with friend who live all over the world thanks to this tiny screen. It's a tricky balance...