48 Comments
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Pandora’s Box's avatar

The predatory nature of our hyper consumptive society is dehumanizing. And at the same time we stare in the mirror constantly, scan cheap magazines featuring second rate celebs featuring boob jobs, and then scroll to read how many civilians Israel murdered today. Sick.

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Eva dick's avatar

Thank you Laurie for another ‘spot on’ useful and ‘grounding’ post. I first noticed my ‘hamster wheel’ lifestyle a few years ago so started to take nothingness/ daydreaming time lying in bed looking at the trees etc but aiming for an empty mind. It was then I noticed how many answers to problems (complex and simple) I was able to see. But, then, the ‘hamster Wheel’ started to return so, thank you so very much for this apt and timely reminder 🌸

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JimmieOakland's avatar

The pace of modern life is unendurable.

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Hearon Dickson's avatar

Wonderful

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Quiet Alchemy Space's avatar

I just wrote in my personal journal how much I long for the days of scarcity. I was thinking about my 80s childhood when I only got to take two books home a week from our school library, but I devoured them over and over again. As I got older, I lingered over longer chapter books instead of hurrying through to get to the next in a series or read several books at a time (as I often do now). The wealth of information or the privileged access to it that I have is sometimes what depletes me, I think.

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

I think we all long for days in childhood when we were not tethered to electronics.

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Tamara's avatar

And with that…I have survived an early morning appointment at the Motor Vehicles commission and achieved the requirements to get a “Real ID” and shall

Now turn off the world and nap…this post hit allll the spots. Thank you. I hope you’re having a beautiful day :)

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

Thank you!

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Cara O’Shell's avatar

Thank you for articulating this so well. It took me a few years away from my high stress job to reclaim my sense of aliveness. I remember feeling too tired to connect with people I cared about. In my personal time I could only really veg out. My nervous system was completely fried. I’m happy to share I feel more and more like myself these days. Like you said, it wasn’t that something was wrong with me after all.

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

Exactly! Glad you found your way back.

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Cristina's avatar

"The system thrives on your exhaustion" because we are the product, but I rebel myself against this f*ck up system that is making all of us sick, I'm done with its crazyness! And I love to see other people that feels like myself 🥰

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Tracey Marchyok's avatar

Thank you. I really needed this, point by point. I relish wisdom that recommends pacing yourself. I am a 4th and 5th grade teacher and I can't actually believe that schools have not been redesigned to be more humane by now. The only thing I can do is make my days as gentle and routine as possible. To say thank you. To listen fully. To put the day behind me when I'm finished. But it wears on me so badly. I will endeavor to slow down.

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Mikael Lind's avatar

This is very true. Also, with addictive apps, you should treat them like sugar. Where do you keep candy? Not next to your salat lunch or chicken dinner, right? No, far from easy reach, on the top shelf. Treat depleting apps the same and you will feel much better.

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T.L. Parker's avatar

Beautiful! A great distillation of the myriad offerings of how to be present and healthy.

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

🙏

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Part 2 Of Your (Love?) Life's avatar

Daytime naps to recharge.

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

Yes they can if needed.

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Peter G. Madsen's avatar

Thank you for the enlightenment on why I don’t get writers block. I did not understand the reason until now. It’s because writing is a pleasure, a relaxation technique, pure entertainment. It is not a duty or an imposition on me. If I don’t feel the need to write, it must be because something else is more important at the moment. The urge to write always comes back, so what is the worry? Now that I have an example that works, I must reframe the rest of my life to be like writing.

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

Makes sense!

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Daily Acts Of Little Rebellion's avatar

Aaaaaah just discovered this channel - how great is that, wanted to start sth similar 😍🙏🏼

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

🥰

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Amy's avatar

Have you written more about functioning along the rhythm of the day? That sounds appealing

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

I have to a degree in some upcoming posts. I’ll think about how to incorporate it in a more comprehensive post though. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Jenny Logan's avatar

I recently stopped drinking (72 days AF) and eliminated internet from my phone and went off all social media except substack and YouTube (and only on my tab/desktop) and OH MY WORD. Do you know how much more time you have when you aren’t wasting it out at bars and happy hour or scrolling the internet? I have time to stare the window, watch my dogs play, breath. It’s crazy. Next step- delete all streaming services!

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Laurie Marbas, MD, MBA's avatar

Awesome!

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