Today, I wanted to dig into something that’s been on my mind lately: the whole idea of entertainment versus transcendence. I started this whole thing by just feeling like I was stuck in a rut, you know? Like I was just going through the motions, watching the same old shows, scrolling through the same old feeds. It felt like I was just consuming, not really living.
So, I decided to shake things up. First off, I took a good, hard look at what I was spending my time on. I made a list of all the entertainment stuff I was into – TV shows, movies, social media, games, the whole nine yards. Then, I started asking myself, “Is this really adding value to my life? Or is it just filling time?”
I realized a lot of it was just filler. Mindless stuff that didn’t make me feel any better, and sometimes even made me feel worse. So, I started cutting back. I unfollowed a bunch of accounts, canceled some subscriptions, and set time limits for myself. It was tough at first, like breaking a bad habit. But I persisted.
- Explored my values. I spent some time thinking about what really matters to me – family, friends, creativity, learning, making a difference, whatever it is for you.
- Looked for entertainment that aligned with those values. Instead of just watching whatever was popular, I started seeking out things that resonated with me on a deeper level. Documentaries, indie films, books that made me think, music that moved me, etc.
- Tried new things. I stepped outside my comfort zone and tried things I’d never considered before. I went to a museum exhibit on a topic I knew nothing about, listened to a podcast on a subject that intimidated me, watched a foreign film without subtitles (okay, maybe with subtitles after a while).
It wasn’t about giving up entertainment altogether. It was about being more intentional with it. Choosing things that enriched my life instead of just distracting me from it. And you know what? It made a difference. I started feeling more engaged, more inspired, more connected to myself and the world around me.
But it wasn’t just about consuming different things. It was also about creating. I started making time for things that allowed me to express myself – writing, playing music, even just doodling in a notebook. It didn’t matter if I was any good at it, the point was to do something that felt meaningful and fulfilling.
And it wasn’t just about me, either. I started looking for ways to connect with others on a deeper level. I had more meaningful conversations with friends and family, volunteered for a cause I cared about, and tried to be more present in my interactions with people.
It’s an ongoing process, this whole transcendence thing. I still watch silly stuff sometimes, and I still get sucked into the social media vortex on occasion. But now, I’m more aware of it. I have a better sense of what truly nourishes me, and what just leaves me feeling empty. And I’m making a conscious effort to choose the former. I feel better overall, and I think this is helping with my mental health too.
Key Takeaways
- It’s about being intentional with your time and energy.
- It’s about choosing things that align with your values and enrich your life.
- It’s about creating as well as consuming.
- It’s about connecting with others on a deeper level.
- It’s about finding meaning and purpose beyond yourself.
This is just my experience, of course. Your journey might look completely different. But I hope this gives you some food for thought. And maybe inspires you to start your own exploration of what it means to live a truly meaningful life.
