Energy cleanse via input clarity
Cover of trek zine
I recently went on a two week trek via Kening Zhu’s Labyrinth Library to clarify and reduce my media intake.
DATES:
September 13-27
INTENTION:
To reduce social media intake and engage in energetic cleansing practices
DAILY QUESTIONS:
1) What were my main inputs of the day? Did these include social media?
2) How did I feel on a scale of 'energetically clear' to 'very frazzled'?
3) What cleansing practices did I try if I wasn't feeling clear?
I especially loved the zine artifact we made to support the trek. I kept my mini zine on my desk in front of my computer, placed next to a black tourmaline quartz stone for energetic protection.
During this trek, I’ve learned to integrate energetic cleansing into my practice and better identify when I need it. My social media consumption has gone down, especially with Youtube. Here are a few discoveries I’ve made during the two weeks:
Identifying the IMPULSE to escape
I reached for a new tab, an inbox check, or any form of media to escape feelings I wanted to avoid, particularly guilt met with indecision.
interrogating the grip
Capitalism and hustle culture keep me feeling like I need to consume more and more. I especially notice this in my “entertainment” inputs like Korean talk shows or variety segments. I’ve written about my online compulsions before, but I have a more self-compassionate lens to offer myself these days. I notice my deeply ingrained habit to check and check, and recognize the systems at play that want to keep me hooked.
finding structural support
Extensions like SocialFocus on my phone, breathwork exercises, and having community to share my experiences all helped me commit to less overwhelm.
thinking beyond dualistic good & bad
I don’t practice clear sobriety with social media, nor do I find it helpful to determine it as good or bad. This applies to many other kinds of media like TV shows, Youtube, or podcasts.
Rather, I found myself asking about intentionality, the quality of chasing, and the presence of my attention. How does changing each of these qualities affect my relationship with the media I consume?
LINGERING questions
When is enough of a certain input? How can I remember to shift my energetic state? What are reminders that orient me toward self-trust over reactivity?
If you’re interested in exploring these questions together, I’ll be guiding a community offering in 2027 called Input Vessels. Consider joining if you'd like to reflect on creative inputs, protect your energy, and cultivate seeds of inspiration.