Games

What app eats up most of your screen time — and do you even feel bad about it?

And yes!

If you’d have told me 35 years ago that I’d land up playing silly games on a mobile phone I would have laughed at you.

Fast forward those 35 years and my life has represented a turn I could not have expected.

I lost my family and all but three friends in a divorce, they all supported the psychopath I was married to. Once he had left me alone he walked out on the lot of them. Apparently they despise people who side with them for being stupid enough to believe them. Who knew?

I moved away to make sure I never bumped into any of them in the street, and there the rot set in.

Our first move was great, we made loads of friends, but we left martial arts, and with one exception those friendships faded. The exception is still part of my life. I went to uni and made loads more friends, you’re going to keep in touch but…

We moved to Glastonbury, made more friends, moved away and…I still have my Frister and she now lives nearby which is wonderful.

Then we moved up here and although our neighbours are very nice, it’s like a desert for friendship. I tried joining a couple of groups. I gave up.

Added to that I left the Muse in Wiltshire and have only heard from her occasionally. You’re going to stay in touch but…🤣

I became increasingly isolated, increasingly low, and eventually depressed. 12 hours a day alone for years will do that to you.

Which is why I’m oddly supercharged by my current situation. It has made none of that matter.

If I look back I could cry at what I lost. It was the best part of me, but it’s still in there, not as strong, and maybe one day. However, how do you promote writing when you have no champions to support you, aren’t on social media, and it wouldn’t matter anyway as I’m not young and attractive enough to be an influencer, and don’t have the money to pay for adverts.

Visibility fell at the feet of social media and was trampled into the dust of millions with more money. Have you seen what it costs a month on Facebook to promote your work? The top level is way over £100 a month! And you know all the other levels will be crushed beneath their feet. It’s hard to credit.

So that’s how I landed up bored witless playing ridiculous games, I have no friends to call for coffee, a chat, a day out. But I do have my Frister and I’m about to see what she’s up to on Thursday.

At one time I was haunted by regrets, but as I said yesterday, sometimes the worst thing that’s ever happened to you turns out to have unexpected benefits.

Just put the tech down guys and go out and find real people. Providing they’re not all post Covid agoraphobic, or emotionally crippled by social media. 🤣

Best love

Amorah -Deb