Making Room for Boredom: Getting Out of the Social Media Grid

We live in a time when consumption justifies our existence. We don't exist unless we show our possessions and abilities. For a while, I was struggling to adjust to that idea, but not anymore.

There are times when life hits us hard, making us put things in a different order. Suddenly, what once seemed innovative and exciting, it's just not. When we become used to hitting a 'delete' key, taking a break or starting fresh shouldn't be difficult, but it actually is!

I started taking breaks from social media when I started focusing so much on techniques and style. Being on social media for nearly ten years, investing so much energy into that process, deleting my social media accounts, was liberating. No longer I have the need to show off, which is excellent!

Social media was making me exasperated. I began hating how I kept comparing myself to others, feeling rushed as in a hamster wheel. I discovered how striving to be creative was losing its luster. There were a dependency and a false sense of accomplishment I didn't like. I was not critical with what I was doing, and In fact, I felt I was adding to the noise.

Being off the social media grid leaves me with nothing to prove! I feel excited to get bored again and keeping a sketchbook. With boredom, I get a relaxed state of mind that prevents me from being envious or insecure about what I do. I get a new appreciation for daydreaming and building ideas on what I want and not on what's subject for approval.

Some Monologues

A movie is the combination of well throughout compositions, a collective effort to bring a story to life. With this post, I want to make attention to the role of acting and share some memorable monologues that have stuck with me over the years. For me, a monologue makes a captivating pause to reflect on the story. Acting monologues can be inspiring and contemplative, and these are some of my favorites.

Sunshine, 1999

This monologue in "Sunshine" is fascinating. We see how a man reads a collection of letters written by the patriarch from each generation to his son. What struck me was the reader's father giving advice on living detached from pride and security, while newspapers are crushed with old furniture in a garbage truck.

To The Wonder, 2012

This poignant voiceover read by actor Javier Barden feels like a personal prayer. An internal dialogue with God as it’s overlayed by powerful scenes that make us reflect on the frailties of humankind. To The Wonder is a film directed by Terrence Malik, a director with a rich cinematic voice well worth studying, and this video essay is a good starting point

Cinema Paradiso, 1988

Framed by an old wooden door, Alfredo shares “The soldier’s story ”with Toto, which foreshadows what’s to happen between Toto and Elena. The visual simplicity in this monologue and the way Italian Actor Philippe Noiret delivers his lines with pauses and burst enthusiasm really brings it to another level.

As we are saturated with images and technology is good to discover new alternatives to be uplifted and inspired. Actors have a tremendous power to do just that when they deliver monologues.