Tag Archives: jenn’s random thoughts Just when the social media bandwagon is bursting to full, I’ve quietly jumped off the back and waved goodbye as it continues barreling down the tracks. I’m like that though…. I’m the girl who purposely finds the quietest corner of the museum while everyone else pushes through the crowds to see what they are ‘supposed’…  ‘i believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge, that myth is more potent than history, that dreams are more powerful than facts, that hope always triumphs over experience…’ This is a part of the Storytellers Creed that I came across in one of my all-time favourite books that I’ve been re-reading lately. Do other people… I re-read, too. For the exact reason you do. For the same reasons you listen to a favorite song to recall a familiar feeling – or bring forward a distant memory. To wrap yourself so securely in the comfort of words, of stories, of language, is one of the greatest gifts that books give us. It makes sense to indulge in them. Often. I, too, fancy myself a writer – a storyteller – and I did lose sight of that – so this post comes at a perfect time for me. A nice reminder that just because you feel lost, doesn’t mean you cannot find yourself again. SO thank you. Again. For being poignant and real. And maybe a little prophetic, too. haha. xoxo  It’s been one of those weeks where blog posts have not wanted to come into existence… and a day where my hand cramps up the second I find a spare few minutes to write, and where the text box where I write posts on my blog does not actually appear to exist when I log… Perfect. Lovely. And honest. (and not even a hint of woe.;) xo Am still laughing about this post. Love it and your sense of humor. I’d bet you are wonderful to work with! Keep smiling.  1. when dave and i poured over a map earlier this week and planned out a tentative route for our upcoming trip! 2. when a random coffee shop guy one table over leaned towards us and said ‘i couldn’t help but overhear…’ and shared with us from his own experiences the best roads to take… Love the idea behind this post. [...] when I saw this post from Jenn, I decided to give it a [...] YesYesYesYesssss!!! A thounsand times, Yes!!! I just saw this yesterday: “When you figure out how to be truly happy, you won’t tolerate being around people who make you feel anything less.” and I nodded my head and pumped my fist. Just as I am doing now. Thanks for sharing your happily mundane with us. Because life is just that; Happily Mundane. You just have to let it be..and enjoy it. Ice cubes, soft serve,and laughter. Perfection, Jenn. xox  Monday morning walk over to our favourite local because I just need a change of scenery to get out of my head. They must wonder what the heck we do for a living, we think, to be able to afford their not-exactly-cheap but oh-so-delicious coffee at such random hours as we do. I’ll be the… Just call out my name, and you know wherever I am, I’ll come runnin’ through rough patches or sunshine…yup, I believe in yous that much. xo T i love the yellowy glow in these. and hey, what’s been going on???? You inspire me!(written from my iPad ) love Liz beautiful images and beautiful words. I can so relate. :) |
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by JENN
Athena - You are brave and courageous and living YOUR OWN life. And that doesn’t go unnoticed, Jenn. Not even a little. And there will never be repercussions – at least beyond perceived ones – for being exactly who you are. <3
I officially need your skype name, your phone number, and a date on the calender to sit in silence – interspersed with quiet conversation – in the most remote corner of any museum anywhere.
xo
Caz Lee - this is just outstanding. love your words. agree with your stance. hope I can grow these sorts of balls soon. enjoy not being exhausted by the rat race! xx
Andrea - Hey Jenn… I’m so proud and inspired by your post and in you just being true to yourself! No word of a lie I’ve recently been contemplating the same thing. It’s draining and an unfulfilling cycle that we get wrapped up in. I guess I just haven’t had the strength to really free myself from it as of yet. I’m encouraged by reading your post though :)
Isn’t it more important to be truly living a life that’s worth writing about then focusing on how to convince others our lives are interesting, trying to be popular, or simply hoping that we’re being “liked” as you note. I know I struggle with this battle all the time and at the end of the day I have countless hours I will never regain spent on worthless activities such as these. When one day my time time comes, I can assure you I wont be saying “I wish I spent more time on Facebook.” I will certainly be wishing I spent more of my life actually really living each moment. You are inspiring Jenn and I miss you guys! Well done on your recent decision to free yourself on the tiredness of it all. Lots of love to you and Dave :)
Cristina - Perfectly said! I’m feeling inspired by your words :D And I’d like to be your friend! :) I think people crave person-to-person interaction and social media gives you that illusion but that’s all it is.. an illusion of contact. Some see it .. some don’t.
Anda - I love what you wrote and I love what Andrea commented. I agree that so many people (myself included) spend their present moments thinking of what they will say about it on FB. Thinking and living our lives through status updates … through convincing others our lives are important or that we were there/did that etc. I’ve loved our conversations about this in recent past. I enjoyed every heartbeat off my month off FB last year. So I understand your current freedom. You are such a kindred spirit. Love you.
Jen - Love the way you described this, especially the shouting and the noise. I totally get that! Love you friend!!
Kathryn Denelle Stevens - I just finished reading this and I am crying…Because, hearing your description of what it feels like …is what I am longing for…freedom…connecting with people face to face (or at least on Skype ;) ) getting away from the crowd…these are all things I desperately want/need! I thought I had gotten to that point in my life…I certainly didn’t feel the need to play that kind of game in high school or college and mostly, as an adult (in my real life, anyway) But since starting a business, it has been this battle to try to get people to “like” me…it’s a futile effort! And, I would hope that the people who truly “like” me have shown that offline…and I hope I have done the same for them. I a fearful I haven’t been though. In fact, I know I have neglected the people that matter the most to me, because of social media. It’s sad, really. I’m not sure I can just hop off the bandwagon though…I just read Andrea’s comment though, and she is so right. I don’t want my life to be made up of status updates..or thinking about which witty status updates I’ll post next!! Thank you guys SO much for this!!! p.s. Let’s talk soon IRL, shall we?
Colleen / Inspired to Share - This is so admirable and I completely relate to everything you said. It really is an exhausting cycle and I really respect you listening and staying true to yourself! Enjoy the time away! xo
ZWP - I feel I can really understand what you’re talking about. So I’m a bit sad to hear less of you but since you said the blog corner of the museum will still be opened, I’m glad I’ll still be able to enjoy your amazing talent.
I think that what really mattered in this process was that the decision felt like right to you and maybe, that’s the only thing that matters after all.
Take care, and hope to meet you sometimes in your quiet corner :-)
Holly - we are 2 very different people, but yet so very much the same. I applaud you for this… so much! thankful for our face-to-face time, it’s well worth the travel :) xo
Kelly Siler - amen. can’t wait to see your faces in real life SO soon!
christina elston - totally.
I’m done with the noise.
And just sticking with enjoying a handful of blogs, while focusing on my own strenghts/weaknesses- all the while, tuning out the distractions.
Chris - Woooo!!! Such an awesome post, Jenn. And also, that canoe shot is AWESOME! :)
Love you guys! Hope we can hang again soon.
Chris
Tammy Lyon - so so true.. I personally find twitter fun, but generally overwhelming. Facebook is my personal time waster. I’m an old school girl at heart, and choose not to have a cell phone to control the constant natter, and give me myself forced balance. Good for you brave girl, there is a whole new world out there for you.
the noise | - [...] Jenn Stark wrote about the same topic, and she also inspired me to write this post. I love this letter that F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote to his daughter about ‘things to worry about’ and ‘things not to worry about’. A great post by Brittni that I could really relate to (and her #1 secret to success). More about success…secrets of the world’s most powerful women on Forbes. [...]
Sunday Stumble… | Rachael Phillips • Lifestyle Blog - [...] Would you jump off the social media bandwagon? – The Day I Decided to Stop [...]
ON DECIDING TO STOP (AN UPDATE ON OUR ADVENTURE OF TRYING TO LIVE A MORE SIMPLE & PRESENT LIFE AWAY FROM SOCIAL MEDIA) » JENN & DAVE STARK » southern ontario documentary wedding + life photographers - [...] fall I wrote a piece about stepping away from social media and I realized that I never properly gave an update as to how the change has been going over the [...]