Take a deep breath...

Now, exhale slowly. Slowly. 

Repeat. And relax. Concentrate on, "Digital is just a thing, a job, a passion (yes), but still only relatively important in the grand scheme of things (life)."

This past week of SXSW reminded me just how all-consuming this niche can be--how it sucks you in and gives you the 'keep up fever'. The beauty of being in interactive is that it wakes you up every morning with a promise of something new to be discovered, The downside is it can take over and raise the level of zeal to tiring proportions. Like with my dearest friend, who shall remain nameless, who must've posted over 100 text messages from the conference per day. It's hard to sit back and watch my gentle friend become possessed. Not just obsessed...

I admit, I get caught up too. It's an industry where everyone wants to be in the know, and with this, being 'in-the-know' lasts  milliseconds. It can become overwhelming to read every post, look at every email, follow blogs, on and on, just so talking to that peer who takes delight in one-upping (about just how current they are) is survivable (not my nameless friend, in this instance, btw). It fuels that urge to know everything, and that's just not possible. Embrace that inevitable truth.

I absolutely love my job, my work and this thing we call digital. But I also love my life and have learned when/how to shut off the insatiable curiosity that drives me. Gray hair is good for something, eh? A little maturity has taught me that it's okay not to know everything but to enjoy everything. 

Especially 'having a life'. : )

So, to my dearest of dear friends, please put the phone down and just breathe...feel the warmth...take in the wisdom. And give your thumbs, and my phone, a rest.

Thank you.

Posted via email from Stephen Speaks's posterous