Really enjoyed this one, Alice. This is a big reason why I deleted social apps from my phone last year. I've since put them back on, but maybe it's time to revisit...great writing.
There’s also the effect of “the grass is always greener” somewhere else that has be present even before IG. Reading your post i thought “I wish i lived in New York” and I’m writing this from the south of France, and I bet someone would love to be in my place as well… So while it isn’t just an IG thing, you’re so right in saying, we need to take longer to think about whatever feeling that triggers us!
Ha! The reason I was in Bali was a mission trip. I think we probably had wildly different experiences. My Bali PTSD involved having to evangelize to Indonesian teens on a beach 😵💫
But this is great perspective. I often think of deleting IG just to see what it would do for my brain for like, a month. But then I get tenacity about how I will promote and market things like this upcoming book event I have. I know there are other less dopamine addicting apps (like this one) but that’s still my best platform in terms of reach. This article has me rethinking this fast though…
This was a really good read. I can relate in a different way from having lived in Bali.
Thank you so much for reading, Luke. You should share your experience, I’d love to read it!
I should indeed write about it! Your story reminded me of many things about my journey there.
Thank you for this, I really feel so seen!!!
Thank you so much for reading Renee!!
This piece made me LOL multiple times, thank you Alice
P.S. I pronounced it correctly in my head when I wrote it 😂
Hahahah thank you Brian!! Glad I could provide a few laughs this fine Sunday xx
Bravo for daring to share such personal story. I related to it a lot, from when I lived in SEA too. Great read!
Thank you so much, Gaspard!
LOVING this. Currently in Bali and resonating with so much of what you said, I love your writing style and voice ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you so much Vyla ❤️ I hope you enjoy your time there it is a beautiful place!!
It’s hard to convey the amount of sheer joy this sentence brought 😂😂😂 “bikini close-ups that teetered on labial recklessness.” I’m dead.
Update: I just finished the post. It’s a perfect match between humor and genuine reflection. Thank you 🙏🏼
LOL I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading Ben!!
As someone who’s moved back home from a foreign(aspirational) country, this felt like you were talking directly to me.
It’s crazy how what we see online can trigger such strong emotional reactions that question our choices.
Thanks a ton for writing this!
Thank you so much Akhila! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one feeling this way. ❤️
LOVED this read. Thank you so much
Thank YOU for reading!
"labial recklessness" just about took me out 🤣
This was a refreshing read!! Thanks for sharing with us, Alice.
Oh my gosh, same! Incredible writing!
Thank you so much 💖
Really enjoyed this one, Alice. This is a big reason why I deleted social apps from my phone last year. I've since put them back on, but maybe it's time to revisit...great writing.
Thank you so much, Justin! I also have them nearly all deleted too...even Substack gets to be too entrancing sometimes 😵💫
There’s also the effect of “the grass is always greener” somewhere else that has be present even before IG. Reading your post i thought “I wish i lived in New York” and I’m writing this from the south of France, and I bet someone would love to be in my place as well… So while it isn’t just an IG thing, you’re so right in saying, we need to take longer to think about whatever feeling that triggers us!
I live in Canada and definitely "wishing to live in Spain or somewhere in Europe" and it feels like that for me right now.
Feel this very much in my own way! BTW if that peeping tom mf ever shows up again, you hit my hotline... I'll grab the machete
girl you know i'd put you on speed dial. this guy was a LUNATIC
Ha! The reason I was in Bali was a mission trip. I think we probably had wildly different experiences. My Bali PTSD involved having to evangelize to Indonesian teens on a beach 😵💫
But this is great perspective. I often think of deleting IG just to see what it would do for my brain for like, a month. But then I get tenacity about how I will promote and market things like this upcoming book event I have. I know there are other less dopamine addicting apps (like this one) but that’s still my best platform in terms of reach. This article has me rethinking this fast though…
Enjoyed reading this piece! It's so interesting how we try to chase dreams we get sold, only to find out it's not as glamorous as it seems.