At last! The March winds and rain has come. Mud and puddles abound. Around us are signs of spring and hope.

And just in time too. The winter dark was becoming rather claustrophobic; leaving far too much time to scroll on social media.

This is a horrible reason for writer’s block. However in the context of being a US citizen… well it is a questionable, yet semi-reliable spot for news. Certainly I reference pieces when I can: AP, NPR, Scopes, checking across news networks. I practice discernment in following up with news, and of course leave myself open to learn more as time passes. But knowledge nowadays does not ensure comfort; instead it serves as an irritant.

My approach to writing is to consume complimentary media or resources to help inform my practice. Recently I’ve been reading more popular science, which has lead to more fervent interest in finding online courses for sciences. I go in with an open mind, with an interest to learn more. It’s a fixation, a desire to know better and it all floats in my mind, distracting from writing only a bit.

My issue is with the Madness. I wish it was the FB algorithm, but I did manage to trick it long ago. All I had to do was interact with couple of travel posts every so often, then I have images of Scotland, Amalfi Coast and Tromso. It’s possible to hijack the Algorithm to your advantage. I cannot fault it for delivering information and other’s hot takes that I’ve seen and interacted with more recently.

This is where my writing energy has gone. How can I, in good faith, write my silly fun ideas or experiment with tropes, when it feels like things are going to collapse? My words are better used elsewhere. I’d rather leave comments of love and hope for friends, letting my words rise to a community level. I’d rather drop knowledge I gather and synthesize rather than debate what is happening before our eyes.

For awhile now, I’ve been toying with the idea of helping with scientific literacy with accessible language. This is a different mask than I usually wear, but an old one I’ve shelved awhile ago. Perhaps this is a redirection, or maybe a return to form.

For now, I will shelve the stories and designs. My thoughts are already muddied with frustration and impatience. Perhaps with some intentional shedding and mindful writing, I can develop a goal that keeps true to my writing aims and keeps me energized. Spring has a tendency to bring warmth back to my mind, so I hope to feel more awake soon.