Recent reports indicate that many Chicago residents are pushing back against all this demanding noise, demanding more and becoming more in a simple, silent way: by rediscovering the slow, steady, rhythmic joys of writing… on actual paper, with a physical pen or pencil in hand. Whether traditional snail mail, old-school calendars, or vintage-inspired stationery, there’s a new pull towards the old ways of expressing thoughts, ideas, sentiments, and needs. Ironically, social media has pushed this trend, but I’ll admit that it’s a healthy one. It certainly boosts creativity and detaches us from excessive screen time.
In the name of finding self-worth, we, as a cultural whole, are consistently pulled by the fast-paced tides of modern living’s marketing proposal for a satisfied life. We watch that reel, save that organic recipe, sign up for that free online course, get a membership at that gym, etc., all to better ourselves, hoping we will wake up one morning and discover we have arrived.
Whether it’s arriving as a CEO, as a published author, as a mother, as a ministry leader, or whatever title we’re striving for, we are convinced that if we push hard enough, work fast enough, and grit our teeth, we can cross the finish line of our dreams. But as one of my favorite musicians, NF, explains, each time you make it to the top of that ladder, whatever it may be, there’s only another ladder that presents itself, whispering, “Yeah, but you’re not finished yet. You’ll actually find even more peace if you do/try/become __________.” Thus, it only makes sense that our limited, challenged hearts and minds feel overwhelmed and somewhat depressed, even defeated, when we do all the things and feel they still aren’t enough. We get anxious and agitated when we don’t meet our self-made markers for success and worth.
Deeper than a random Instagram influencer’s psychological findings, there’s a spiritual richness, a gospel truth, packed into this return to intentionally reclaiming mental clarity and fortitude. This naturally poses a valid question for believers: as many of us step away from screens and back toward handwritten notes, how might God be inviting us to slow down, be present, and rediscover the beauty of intentional living?
3 Ways to Slow Down, Be Present, and Rediscover the Beauty of Intentional Living?
1. Use Handwritten Words to Encourage Others
Thanks to technology, many of us don’t consider long-distance relationships to be as much of a strain as they once were. FaceTime, voice texts, and instant communication apps make us feel far more connected to our loved ones.
We rarely consider the hardships that the earliest founders of the Christian church faced regarding long-distance relationships. Consider the Apostles, who had a brotherhood unlike any other, as they served under the Messiah. They endured suffering, asked questions, and shared fears that no one else could possibly have. They received the Holy Spirit together, in a small, intimate upper room—it doesn’t get much more spiritually and emotionally bonding than that.
Eventually, they were called to scatter themselves among the nations to make Christ known. From India to Turkey, they set out alone to fulfill the Great Commission. Though this calling was a beautiful, high-calling like no other, it came with bouts of loneliness.
However, as is the way of a good, intentional God, I believe He used their loneliness to create our New Testament. Consider how much of our New Testament consists of the disciples and the Apostle Paul writing letters to churches and to one another for encouragement. Long-distance relationships, coupled with handwritten letters, were the foundation for much of the Scripture we have now.
God called them to be present where they were, so much so that their communication with others was filled with testimony after testimony of God’s miracles surrounding them. They lived life so intentionally that their old-school notes to one another created entire books that will inspire, challenge, and sustain believers until the end of time.
The command God placed on their hearts is the same one extended to us today, a holy invitation to slow down and be so aware of His presence in our lives and those around us that telling of His glory, whether digitally or by pen, is our natural response.
2. Let Digital Ideas Lead to Hands-On Moments with Family
I didn’t notice (or care, honestly) how much screen time I indulged each day until I had my son. After becoming a mother, I became acutely aware of the unspoken communication that occurs between our children and us when we bury ourselves in our screens and get lost in constant digital entertainment.
Choosing screens over our kids conveys sad things, like:
-“This device is the priority right now.”
-“I don’t want to talk to you right now.”
-“I don’t care what you’re saying or trying to show me.”
-“My time is better spent watching this show/scrolling this app/binging this social media platform than engaging with you.”
And if you don’t believe me or think I’m exaggerating the impact, I encourage you to look up the available psychological studies.
Rather than viewing your electronic devices as ways to zone out, use them to inspire quality time with family. I love finding little crafts and snacks online and trying them with my toddler. Some of my sweetest memories are wrapped up in ideas I found on social media.
However, those digital ideas became physical ways to cultivate memories. They became handmade crafts, paint spills, and gardening hacks. They became organic peanut butter cookies, lemon squares, and pink drinks. And each of these things connected me to another person, face-to-face. Screens were a way for me to share hands-on creativity with family and close friends in real time.
Clearly, we can’t ditch technology altogether in today’s world. It’s simply not feasible, and it’s not always safe or wise. But if we can view all of our digital devices as avenues to cultivating better in-person relationships and healthier lives for one another, it’s no longer an issue of addiction but an invaluable resource.
3. Process Hard Things with Pen, Paper, and God’s Truth
Many of us employ the defense mechanism of dissociation when life becomes hard. Instead of praying about and addressing hardships or difficult decisions, we push them off because screens let our brains shut down. We can simply indulge in the life of whoever is behind the screen rather than living our own.
But what if writing poetry, drafting songs, or sending letters is a far better way to find release? What if we let our God-given creativity keep our minds engaged and use these outlets to process our hurt and find inspiration, solutions, and unexpected joy to get through the hard times?
As Christians, we are called to dig in deep, to be brave when life leaves us frazzled and overwhelmed. But that doesn’t discount the beauty we can create within bravery.
This world certainly isn’t perfect. It’s messy and complicated and plain mean. But we would be wise to recognize that God has given us every resource and tool to navigate this life with peace and joy. And sometimes, that heavenly resource is as simple as some simple stationery from the local office supply store.
“For we are God’s masterpiece, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Ephesians 2:10
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Ildar Abulkhanov
