Intentional Consumption #02

Intentional Consumption:

If you're new here, Intentional Consumption is where I round up what's been on my mind or what I've consumed this week. This is part of an experimental phase I'm working on for August—so it's a moving target. Scroll down if you're curious, or feel free to run away—it's entirely up to you.

My mind is a somewhat different place.

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Intentional Consumption - #02

The intent behind this week's consumption started off blurry—I'm unsure about you, but rest has never come easy. The idea of rest is often overthought in my mind. It's confused with feelings of guilt and frustration as if a moment spent doing nothing would lead to the world's destruction. It's most likely the outcome of multiple things, but none are essential for explaining the intent.

This week, the intent was simple: rest and time with family.

What I Saw:

- My kids soaking up the sun, diving into the pool, and playing in the ocean with their cousins.

What I Did:

- Played cards with my family and won more games than I lost.

- Had deep, late-night conversations by the pool.

- Drank black coffee while taking in the view.

- Spent time just enjoying doing nothing.

It was a simple week filled with simple pleasures. And although I stumbled at the start, I eventually found my version of rest. Summer's winding down, school's around the corner, and this daily writing challenge is almost over.

Some Quick Notes:

This week reminded me of what truly matters—letting the waves crash into me, running with my kids, nieces, and nephews from sharks in the water. I spent less time chained to my desk, staring at a screen, and more time with my eyes on those I love. Oh, and yes, you read that correctly—_sharks_. Technically, it was one shark, and I didn't see it—my wife and sister did—but still, @john and I can say we swam with sharks.

I read a piece from Tommy Dixon about us being at the end of our extremely online era. He talks about how we might be on the brink of a shift—a time when we start to unplug and return to life. The more I disconnect from the digital noise, the more I can feel what he means. Every time I go on vacation, I realize that this is how I want life to be more often—quality time with my wife, watching my kids be kids, playing cards with friends, and enjoying musicals without the constant pull of a screen.

This week, I got a little closer to those thoughts of embodied living—of being present and diving deep into real-life moments. The need to be digitally connected is losing its grip on me daily, and I'm increasingly embracing that.

Until tomorrow,

John D