We’re drowning in DMs. Drowning in texts. Drowning in emails. Enough already! I want to TALK. Remember that? Speaking. It’s spontaneous. Risky. Personal.
Yet if you’re on the younger side, it’s way too easy to fall into this trap. We tell ourselves it’s just how the world works now. We settle for “good enough” connections – just enough to feel like we’re not totally alone.
Here’s the thing: our relationships are probably nowhere near as deep or meaningful as they could be. We’re failing to truly connect, and it’s eating away at us.
Why are we stuck?
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We’re addicted to the dopamine hit of digital social media.
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We’ve forgotten how to start and handle real conversations.
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We’re paralyzed by the “let’s wait until things are normal again” mindset.
But here’s the truth: talking is a physical, emotional act. Sound waves literally impact others. It’s random, risky, and real. When you speak, you often surprise yourself, learning and feeling something new. Dangerous stuff in our “Black Mirror” world, right?
Instead of hiding behind screens, try this:
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Ditch the phone for a day. Scary, I know. But remember life before smartphones were glued to our palms? Those were the days. Landline numbers etched in our brains, no hiding behind screens.
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Talk to someone. Anyone. Face-to-face. Say something unplanned. Let it be messy. High risk, but so much higher reward than texting.
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Repeat daily. Start small if you need to, but commit to real conversations.
I get it. Changing habits is hard. If you’re serious about breaking free from digital detachment, you might consider gradually getting used to non-digital sources of entertainment. That’s why The Brotherhood of the Wolf dark fantasy comic book series will exclusively be offered in physical copies.
I gotta practice what I preach, habibi….
Give a listen to one of the most awkward conversations I ever had at the Opinionistics podcast. It was weird–but the host was nice and the results were amusing. Check out the episode here.
All the best,
Wes
