This email is about mayhem!

Offline Recess is a newsletter that invites you to pause from digital distractions and rediscover the joy of finding inspiration on your own terms, away from the algorithm.

A quick summary: It’s Sunday and today we’re exploring:

• How curiosity doesn’t break anything (and how we need to avoid the things that kill curiosity)

• Doses of inspiration in 5 minutes, 30 minutes, or 60 minutes

• What typically “cures” my shopping habit

I did not have anyone edit this so if you see a typo, be relieved that I’m a human and not a robot.

Intersections

things that are connecting during my recess

I’m currently reading a book about leadership and organizations. No, it’s not a business book. It explores how chaos isn’t something to fear. It’s part of how the world naturally organizes itself. Drawing from biology, chaos theory, and quantum physics, it challenges old models of leadership and management, showing that transformation happens through relationships, interconnection, and embracing uncertainty rather than resisting it.

Interestingly enough, the three non-fiction books that I'm reading right now all point to the fact that we base a lot of our life on what white men in the 15th-17th centuries thought was correct. It may not surprise you but…they were often wrong! 

Ok so back to the book. The universe actually thrives on change and disorder. The author, Margeret Wheatley writes:

“To be responsible inventors and discoverers, we need the courage to let go of the old world, to relinquish most of what we have cherished, to abandon our interpretations about what does and doesn't work. We must learn to see the world anew.

In this realm, there is a new kind of freedom, where it is more rewarding to explore than to reach conclusions, more satisfying to wonder than to know, and more exciting to search than to stay put.”

As I got done reading a chapter this weekend, my phone usage report popped up and it was not very inspiring. I had the house to myself all week and I noticed two things: I worked a lot more than usual (the time change didn’t help either) and I spent more time on my phone. 

When those two things are true, I notice some other things that follow: I am less curious and I spend less time letting my mind wander. I’m either engrossed with work or I’m filling the silence with noise (podcast, music, tv).

And when those two things are true, I don’t explore, wonder, or search.^{(see above)} Stasis occurs. I assumed this past week that I was "balancing" through extreme productivity at work and extreme passivity in my brain. I used quotes around the word balancing because I don’t think it’s actually very balanced at all but you can see where we get into the mindset that extreme productivity should be countered with extreme inactivity. 

The algorithm doesn’t leave much room for curiosity. Not much room for exploration, wonder, and search. It serves up conclusions before we’ve even had the chance to ask questions or hit dead ends. And if curiosity is what actually makes the world go round, what happens when we stop?

Sticky offline things

things that stood out over the week

Here are some things that inspired me over the last week. If you’re looking for inspiration and you only have:

• 5 minutes: Watch Jade’s performance of Angel of My Dreams at the Brit Awards (crossing my fingers for a full album release on May 9 — my birthday)

• 30 minutes: Listen to this interview with Flamingo Estate’s founder Richard Christensen On Living A Fuller Life. Quotes I jotted down while I listened:

  • “I pleased everyone by not myself.”

  • “Stand up for your own pleasure.”

  • “It can’t always be summer.” 

• 1 hour: Listen to Lady Gaga’s newest album Mayhem 

If none of these things inspired you, that’s okay. You should start your own newsletter because people who like what you like are probably hungry for it!

Advice for this week

a quote that stuck with me

Last week my therapist said before ending our session, “I think you’re bored.” I didn’t even talk about how I am a little bored. Work keeps me challenged and feeling like I’m trying new things. But outside of work, things are feeling a bit monotonous. How she knew? I may never know (just kidding, I’ll ask her next time).

A few days later, I saw a post that essentially said, “Quit filling your life with things and fill your life with doing.”

The times in my life when I’ve shopped the least is when I’m creating art every day for myself. I did the 100 Day Challenge three times and I never felt more fulfilled. And shopping become boring.

I say this, not because it’s easy or even for your own benefit, but because I’m trying to remind myself.

P.S. You’ve enjoyed this newsletter over the years, you can help contribute to the cost of publishing. I don’t have any intention of putting up a paywall but you can Venmo me @alliepal or send a tip via Paypal (this account is under my maiden name Jocson because Paypal makes it nearly impossible to change your name). Thank you to all who tip me!