This is the real flex

I once wrote a tweet that said:

The real flex is going to a cafe by yourself to read a book, without looking at your phone.

And people went berserk.

The good kind. It's like I'd just shared the cure for some horrifying and pervasive disease.

But...

In a way, I had.

Across from me in this cafe is a young woman doing just that.

She has a cup of coffee and a Kindle on the table.

And she's actually reading. Not looking around, or thinking, or doom scrolling.

Reading.

This soothes my soul.

I'm writing my next book right now, and the thought that a person like this... some random person in a cafe in Bulgaria might feasibly read this on her Kindle with a cup of coffee.

WITHOUT freaking scrolling her phone.

This is great.

And I do believe that doing this yourself is the antidote to many of life's current challenges.

The burnout we feel from screen indulgence is real, and it's a bigger problem than people realise (imo).

I am a total hypocrite here, by the way, because I rarely read in cafes. I'm usually the guy writing about the people reading.

But I do know this.

Because when I slow the F down and commit to sitting down to read with my phone OFF...

Weird things happen.

Good things.

I feel calmer.

My body thanks me.

Creativity, optimism, and a sense of peace return.

Be different to the nose-picking masses.

Read.

(I'm reminding myself to read more too).

Oh, and if you need an idea on what to read next, and you'd love a way to build an actual career with writing, as I've done, you'll love my latest book:

The Never-Retired Writer.

Learn more on Amazon here, where it's picking up steam.

If you've wanted to find a way to support me as a writer, buying my book and sharing a review when you can is the ULTIMATE way to do this.

Much lovings,

Alex