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Gala's avatar

I’m back on Substack and just saw this! So grateful you liked my poem💗 and loved this post too, wishing you the best mansi!!

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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

Thank you so much for being here!!♥️

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Ishaan D's avatar

I resonate with this, just introducing some friction by the more analog variants of these things, be it wired earphones for music or printing photos for memories , make it so much more intentional and dare I say more fun. Digital has its advantages, but when it comes to things that make life more 'living' rather than surviving, analog is the way to go.

One of my hobbies is photography, and the joy I have got by printing out my photos just for myself is so so much better than just posting on Instagram.

....Also, how do you print out your photos, I have been trying to find a method that is a bit easy to use as well as easier on the wallet.

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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

Absolutely true. There are some things, rather feelings I should say, that no amount of technological progress can replace. These little practices help me to appreciate the little things in life. It’s not about being able to afford new tech, but choosing to surround yourself with simplicity in an already complex world.

I usually get the images printed in bulk once every 5-6 months from my local print shop, it’s the cheapest. I clip them in my journal for now but thinking of buying a photo album. I usually take just one Polaroid as a keepsake from my friends camera whenever we meet so that has built a small collection of 5 Polaroids till date.

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Ishaan D's avatar

"it's not about being able to afford new tech, but choosing to surround yourself with simplicity in an already complex world". love that.

thanks for the suggestion! 🙌

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Tristan Hoh's avatar

Absolutely love printing out physical photos. I have one’s on my dresser of myself when I was young. Whenever I feel that inner critic come up, I look through them with a profound sense of self empathy I can’t really find anywhere else. We need tech, and while you realize that you’re still actively finding ways of moderating. Thanks for sharing.

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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

I love that Tristan. I often wonder why I am being too hard on myself. It’s not what my younger self would have wanted, especially in a world where there is so much negativity and pressure. This has inspired me to journal about how I want to protect the childhood me as I grow up.

Thank you for taking out the time to share your insights!✨

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Paolo Peralta's avatar

Beautiful 🔥

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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

Thank you Paolo!✨

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Meg's avatar

A trip to the library was a tradition when my kids were young. Now we cleared off a little shelf for books and movies from the library where we are likely to pick them up. A record player and radio completes my collection (along with a wrist watch). Yet my family only choses these things when I set up intentional barriers, like shutting down the Wifi. We're so trained to reach for the easy.

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Feb 25
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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

Thank you Krista. I am glad someone else feels the same way about digital detachment as me. I always feel like I have more time whenever I am not on my phone. It’s easy to pass time with doomscrolling, but it’s neither intentional nor sustainable.

I am curious, what made you delete Instagram 5 years ago?

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Feb 26
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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

I love that! Such a good move on your part. We often don’t realise how these little things can impact us negatively. Plus the ripple effect is insane.

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Feb 27
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Mansi Kwatra's avatar

So proud of you. I can feel that you happy with your choice and it makes me happy too!🥹

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