Tools & reflections around how to mindfully navigate tech, media & modern life
This feeling has been brewing for a while now, but especially within the past year, I’ve found the task of staying rooted and true to myself more and more confusing—mostly because everything and everyone seems to be virtually yelling each other about what we should be doing, saying, eating, avoiding; how we should behave or react; etc etc.
These feelings and reflections also tie into the undercurrent of technology that floods almost every aspect of our lives—whether through simple communication, news and social media, or memes. Honestly not always mad about memes—or recipes like these.
When it comes to sharing and consuming information around wellness, beliefs, science, and current events, I know I am not the only one who has been feeling a bit frazzled, discouraged, confused, and occasionally bulldozed by it all.
This has left me—and a few others I’ve spoken with—at a crossroads of To Speak or Not To Speak. It’s prompted a lot of inner inquiry around what I value, why I share or consume certain things, and whether I should toss my devices into the Mediterranean and communicate via Harry Potter Owl or smoke signals.
But since I do live in the modern world and do want to share (and still love a good meme), this reflection is my way of exploring how I can reroute and re-root my body, my mind, and my relationship with tech / media / communication to find a balance that works—including a balanced headspace from which to share and consume from.
As to how to do this without overthinking…I’ll get back to you. Till then, meditate 😉
TL;DR: Scroll to the end for final takeaways.
Re-rooting
Why is all of this tied to being rooted? Think of a tree: Its roots provide stability as the tree grows and expands; they absorb and distribute nutrients for the health of the tree; they are even a means of communication through a brilliant underground mycorrhizal network (watch Fantastic Fungi!).
When we’re rooted in ourselves, we’re more stable and resilient in body and mind; we communicate more clearly, make more nourishing choices, and often feel more free.
Roots also need favorable soil conditions to flourish as the seasons shift, which we can relate to creating the internal and external conditions that help to sustain our personal roots. This comes from habits and practices we add to or eliminate from our daily routines—whether it’s a form of self-care or self-discipline (often interrelated).
Per the exploration of this post: Being highly influenced by our environment and surroundings can obviously create a strong sense of un-rootedness. This makes it imperative to cultivate a sense of groundedness in ourselves before we discern if and how we engage, if we do in fact share the same perspective as others, etc.
Because I’m a sensitive lil’ Aquarian—and have supported both yoga and coaching clients through similar sensitivities—I’ve written a lot about working with un-rooted experiences like emotional overwhelm, cultivating stability in uncertain or intense times, safely expressing feelings, and regulating a wired-and-tired nervous system.
See also: Yoga and movement, meditation and mindfulness, breathwork, nourishing food, nature, journaling and reflecting, pillow or underwater screams (recommend both), community connection (hugs!), giggles, art, rest, etc etc.
All that said, I’m still sometimes struggling with—and therefore investigating—how to create rooted conditions for my body and mind in ways that help me stay healthily informed with current events, communicate clearly and effectively, and consume content intentionally (even if the intention is memes).
Because while many of us may occasionally fantasize about living off the grid, being rooted doesn’t necessarily mean shutting yourself off from the world. For me, it’s more so about staying connected without getting completely lost or depleted by the noisy noise—finding your unique balance between engagement and stillness.
P.S. If you’re thinking: She meditates and does yoga, shouldn’t she be chill?, then I raise you: I study, teach, and practice meditation and yoga because I often struggle to feel chill 🙂
Rooted Support
On that note: A few recent articles and podcast episodes have helped me feel seen and supported amid the ongoing catastrophic current of headlines, content on content on content (even memes), and often volatile social commentary.
These voices have offered both useful information and practical insights—even a little bit of laughter to boot, which I find truly and unequivocally medicinal.
They’ve inspired me to continue cultivating a sense of rootedness in myself and my lifestyle, to pause before reacting both online and in person (especially when I can’t tell if I’m doing “enough”), to process and participate in the best ways I know how, and to anchor myself before engaging.
My hope is to empower you with applicable tools to observe clearly and turn inward, which can help cultivate a sense of mind-body rootedness in what we do and say; in how we act and choose to live.
Trigger warning: Some of this may challenge some beliefs or emotions, but I’m sincerely wondering if there is anything that isn’t triggering these days? Do you and take care of yourself!
Bring the Light
This episode resonated with me, and I always love Jenna‘s grounded POV.
Hijacked Health: When Wellness Gets Political with Dr. Jolene Brighten
I really appreciated this open and curious discussion on conflict-inducing topics.
Brené Brown’s go-to strategy for managing fear
Dan Harris has great content on modern mindfulness inspired by ancient wisdom, especially with his background in news media and reporting from war zones.
And I remember Brené Brown once sharing in her podcast about the importance of having conversations with people we disagree with in order to see each other more clearly, even if we still disagree (or at least that was my helpful takeaway!).
We Are Losing the Information War with Ourselves
This post by Sam Harris is a bit intense, but I recommend staying open to reading it in its short yet powerful entirety.
Vulnerability hangover incoming.
I so appreciate Jameela’s gift of making an interesting read out of an emotional topic, with a humor sprinkled in there to boot. Recommend reading through this a few times.
The offensiveness of group-speak
This deeply insightful article by Ayishat Akanbi was shared with me by first yoga mentor and friend, Anya.
On structures, the Dhamma & basic goodness
Sean Oakes is my former Insight Meditation teacher training mentor, who I still follow for insights and Buddhism-meets-modern-day inspiration.
Read this and all of the full takeaway quotes on Substack.
Other helpful people & resources
- David Ghiyam: Podcast linking ancient spiritual wisdom to modern life
- Jack Kornfield: Insight Meditation x Buddhism x psychology x conscious activism
- Nikki Costello: Iyengar Yoga virtual classes—weekly movement and spiritual Rx
- Good Hang: Amy Poehler’s podcast—weekly laughter Rx
- Meee: Holistic Lifestyle Coaching, Meditation and Yoga
Final takeaways
- Be good to yourselves and others.
- Get to know yourself and others. Consider what you believe in and why; stay curious when others believe and / or behave differently.
- Reflect on the Sufi saying: “Before you speak, let your words pass through three gates: Is it true? Is it necessary? Is it kind?”
- Get curious about Buddhism’s Right Speech / Sammā Vācā: Speaking truthfully and avoiding “malicious talk,” harsh words, and “idle chatter.”
- Be willing to have difficult and conflicting conversations. Be open to approaching them with as much awareness, curiosity, compassion, and clarity as possible.
- Stand up for what you believe in when you feel grounded and clear, in ways that feel the most rooted and accessible—even if it feels a little scary to speak out.
- Don’t feel guilty if you’re not standing up or speaking out in the same ways that others are. People have different and unique ways of actualizing activism—online or offline; in their personal daily lives or within their communities.
- Stay informed and set media boundaries; read good news, too. Let the information you learn inform how you want to live and the type of person you want to be.
- Remember that triggers happen. We can choose how we act / react and respond.
- Don’t sit back passively and do absolutely nothing, but don’t act out of pressure or guilt. Do act with consciousness, intention, and as much compassion as possible.
- Take time away from phones and devices. Step away from technology when you can and reconnect with yourself, others, animals, nature. Cook, dance, write, garden, make something with your hands, create and experience art, be offline.
- Laugh and be silly when you can along the way.
Any of this resonate?
Contact me for 1:1 coaching support, or reach out with questions / comments / memes.
Take good care,
S
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