How To Use Your Hands For Things Other Than Scrolling

Creative Ideas To Curb Your Screen Time

Hello friends,

I’m sure it’s not just me but man the world feels so heavy right now!? I always aim to bring a little positivity or motivation to your day when I post anywhere online, in the hope to offset the brutality of our current world.

Today, I wanted to touch on a few things that you can do instead of scrolling on your phone - some are obvious reminders and some are things I’m putting on my list as IRL to do’s that I think will improve my wellbeing and creativity over all.

This week’s newsletter was made possible by my friends at VALOI who make scanning film at home easy peasy. More on them later in today’s issue.

How cool is the library?

Okay so I didn’t invent the library and we all know it’s there but when was the last time you visited one?

It’s such a calming space and I go there when I need to lock in and write my substack or script videos. I also go there with my son and engage in the free activities they have available. Oh, and then they have books too…those are great.

It occured to me the other day that I feel the same way about a library visit as I do exercise in that I have never regretted a library visit because I always walk out feeling better than I walked in and exercise is the same. I never regret it or think oh damn I’m in such a bad mood after that walk or run - it’s just not how these things work.

There is no evil payback or hidden cost or downside to doing either of these things and that’s kind of rarity these days.

In a world where simply going outside seems to cost like three hundreds dollars I love to visit the library and scratch that itch of, buying a beautiful hardcover book, with browsing through all the different sections and knowing there are no options to even make a purchase here.

It’s a safe place.

It’s a place that fosters ideas and let’s you pause and give yourself time to just be.

So if you’re looking for me, i’ll be in the library.

Not actually the library…if only it was this aesthetic right?

Rehash an old hobby and make it new again

Most of you reading have a hobby already right? You are a photographer or you are an artist of some kind. We all have our main thing we do, but what’s another thing you do that could maybe be a bit more casual and daily?

When I think back over my past I can pinpoint many iterations of myself in different stages of life.

• Obsessively attending every gig played and buying every record released Lucy

• Cooking show/book obsessed and perfecting recipes at home Lucy

• Home composting Lucy (this was quite short lived and my poor dad did most of the work in our backyard turning the compost pile etc. R.I.P compost Lucy)

• Learning how to sew and collecting old material to turn into scrunchies and other cute apparel Lucy

• Photographing bins and traffic cones Lucy (this one has clearly stuck, which sounds surprising because in comparison to the others it seems the most boring?)

  Anyway, my point is, that there are likely some solid hobbies your past self enjoyed that could be worth revisiting in this screen addicted era we find ourselves mindlessly scrolling through.

The Lucy I’m bringing back from the hobby graveyard is Cooking Lucy.

I’ve been trying to save money lately and be more intentional with my purchases (I love eating out it’s my biggest weakness) so turning to the kitchen to cook more and also try new things is helping to keep my mind occupied on what I call, PG rated topics and activities.

Things that soothe me, things that serve me and things that ultimately lead to more positivity and creativity.

Okay so what is your thing you will bring back?

Maybe you have everything you need to paint or knit or go fishing but you just don’t because…well life. Step back into that role and see how it feels.

Fun crafty things happening in the lobby of Ace Hotel

Getting Lost In Your Own Memories

This one isn’t a strict activity because it might look different for all of you depending on your situation but we all have “stuff” right.

Everyone has a shoe box full of memories or photo albums, things stuffed underbeds or in cupboards. These are things that can transport us back to moments and we move so quickly now we sometimes forget about what we’ve done in our lives thus far.

If you have children you know that it’s so exciting to look back at photos of them from a year before and laugh (probably end up crying) about those memories and adventures.

A lot of you here are photographers, luckily we are natural memory makers and already in the habit of going back over images, but are we looking back over them as much as we should?

I recently dug out some old negatives from overseas trips, from back in the day when I only got prints and didn’t even get the negatives scanned because I wasn’t posting them online really. That’s a funny existence to think of now isn’t it?

What spurred this on was actually this weeks sponsor VALOI, who if you don’t already know, make excellent and easy to use film scanning equipment that is highly regarded by many in the film community. More on them below if you want to check out how it works and also get a 10% discount.

Lux has been working out what camera we will use for the VALOI kit and I’m going through my shoebox of negs, excited to have them scanned and share with you in an upcoming newsletter.

So take this as a sign to get off your phone and sift through more of your stuff! It could be to go memory diving or maybe just to clear space for newness, or get organized and feel good.

Making Lists

Okay so I’m a list lover. I love making lists of all kinds.

Shopping lists, to do lists, dream purchase lists, pro and cons lists. If it can be listed, I’m here for it. I much prefer listing things out as opposed to just endless scrolling of words (more typical journalling) as things get disorganised and I feel overwhelmed.

I love using Trello to make lists and that is a great free tool you should definitely use! If my obsessive lists don’t make it into Trello I jot them down on post it notes, a pad that lives on my desk, or a notebook where I keep more serious lists like “my life plan”.

Is it a tip to tell you to make more lists? I don’t know. I feel like we have all forgotten how to live in the actual world that we kind of do need people on the internet to remind us to read a book, go for a walk and write things down.

Lists excite me and they also help me to chunk out all the things I have to do. They inspire me as well, because sometimes I read over a list of ideas I made and I’m like “hell yeah, these are awesome” and then other times I throw away the paper because I’m just like, WTF was I thinking???

Make a list, or don’t, but definitely keep track of your possibly brilliant ideas.

See you next week guys - oh and don’t forget I am now offering an extra audio substack to paid subscribers so if you want more hit the button below and join me over there.

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