Hiatus

To my three followers: apologies, that I have not posted in ages. In fact, I had completely given up on the idea of posting here ever again until I had lunch with a friend today.

As a cautionary tale, I told her about my failed attempt at building up an impressive blog to sharpen my writing skills. I could not even remember the address, could not find the website, and then thought it had closed down during my absence due to a lack of credit card details. Being rid of any decision on the matter, I felt relieved: my blog writing days were over!

So, why am I back here?

First, when I got home to my laptop, found the correct link, I sent it to her to show that it still existed despite my absence. Then, she kindly encouraged me to return to it.

After a bit of pondering, I realised:

a hiatus is a great thing!

Do you feel the same? I am bored and tired of AI generated or AI polished content. Last year I used the AI feedback function for a few posts here. In the process I felt that the texts had markedly improved, but felt now longer my own. Maybe it is like Martha Stewart takes over your living room: it looks great afterwards but it is no longer really, truly yours. Instead, it encourages me to aim for the most common denominator of „good writing“. The sum of everything ever written and then spat out into little clumps of most likely letters.

If that is so great, why should I even bother to write? In the current avalanche of content, there is enough „perfection“ out there to last a hundred generations of readers. All those who want to read a polished piece can give a short prompt to any AI like „What can inspire me today?“ (use the tone of XXX in 350 words, sound positive, use emoticons sparsely), „What can be said about squirrels?“, „What are common topics for middle aged ladies in conversation with polite friends?“. The machine will generate a plausible answer and you will be well looked after. If this amuses you: by all means: stop reading here!

Instead, I want to return to authenticity.

I want to nurture the art of imperfection

The joy of being purely human and myself. Who do I want to impress? No one! Suddenly it is liberating that I do not have many readers! I checked an old fashioned Cambridge Dictionary and it states:

„A hiatus is a short pause in which nothing happens or is said, or a space where something is missing.“

To me, it sounds like just the thing we might need! A moment to calm down, fall silent, and wonder.

I love the idea of „a space where something is missing“. Our opportunity to let our mind wander and fill the blanks with our own thoughts and ideas. To grow from within. No need to shine or polish. A state where imperfection is part of the definition.

I think, for a human in the current shAIning world, it is an opportunity to slump down and chill. If you like this, too: breathe in, breathe out. Enjoy your break and leave me a message!