The Fabric of Reality: From Pixels to Patterns

Let's be honest, sometimes I wonder if my job description should just be "professional copy composer." As a UX writer, my days are a whirlwind of crafting helpful copy, conducting user interviews, and staring at a screen so long I start to see Figma files in my dreams. Don't get me wrong, I love what I do, but working remotely means there are days I go from one Zoom meeting to another one without ever speaking to another human in real life. Suddenly, the concept of "coworkers" feels as abstract as the ideas about a good digital product that I have in my head (7 years into this job and I'm still not sure).

All this digital interaction is fantastic for productivity, but it left me craving something tangible, something beyond my keyboard. That's how I ended up taking the decision not only to craft a great website navigation, but to also add sewing to my skill directory. Yes, the kind with a sewing machine, yards of fabric, and a whole new kind of frustration. It was quite a challenge at first of course (I remember I started myself so hard when I first try this machine, thinking "wow this machine is so fast, loud and uncontrollable"). But honestly, I was so wired into the virtual world, I was willing to try anything to feel a little more grounded.

Turns out, forcing myself to step away from screens and engage with the physical world was exactly what I needed. Of course, anyone who's ever attempted to read pattern instructions knows it's not all sunshine and rainbows. But as I started to learn the basics of sewing, I realized it provided a balance that my tech-heavy life was seriously missing.

Grounding Ourselves in the Physical

While technological advancements have been truly incredible, let's face it: humans didn't evolve to live solely in the digital realm. For millions of years, our existence was based on touch, interaction with materials, and the physical creation of things. We built shelters, crafted tools, and our survival literally depended on our ability to interact with the world around us. Even with all the convenience modern technology provides, it's easy to forget that we're still wired for that tactile experience. Our bodies are designed to move, manipulate, and create in physical space. Denying ourselves that for too long can throw us off balance in surprising ways.

A Healthy Break

Even when you love what you do, there's such a thing as digital burnout. Working remotely amplifies the feeling of being constantly tethered to a screen. While remote work has countless benefits, it can also make it hard to draw boundaries between "work-time" and "everything else." Taking time for a physical activity isn't just about having a hobby; it's giving your eyes a much-needed rest and your brain a chance to process information differently. Focusing on a task in the physical world requires a different kind of attention than staring at a screen, allowing overworked parts of your mind to relax. Whether it's sewing, building something, or even just tackling a DIY project around the house, that tangible activity serves as a reset button.

The Sweet Touch of Completion

There's something uniquely satisfying about completing a task with physical results. Baking a cake, fixing a leaky faucet, sewing a simple tote bag – you have something to show for your efforts. It might sound cheesy, but being able to touch, use, or admire the fruits of your labor creates an incredibly rewarding sense of accomplishment. That instant connection between your effort and the finished product is something the digital world often struggles to replicate. Sure, finishing a complex flow of a new feature feels good, but it's a different kind of satisfaction from holding something you created in your hands.

Balancing the Digital and the Real

I'm not going to pretend I'm giving up my tech job to become a full-time seamstress (though the idea of never attending another Zoom meeting is tempting). However, sewing, and other tactile activities, have become an essential part of maintaining my sanity in a digital world. Turns out, being a well-functioning human sometimes requires disconnecting from the digital realm and getting your hands a little dirty.

Working in the digital industry is both challenging and rewarding, but it's easy to lose sight of the fact that screens aren't a substitute for real-world experiences. Whether it's going for a walk, trying a new recipe, or learning a completely analog skill, carving out time for the "real" is essential to avoid digital burnout. It's not about denying the power of technology, but rather ensuring that it's a tool that serves us rather than the other way around.

So, if you're feeling a little too connected to the virtual world, take a step back and seek out something tangible. Your brain (and likely your sanity) will thank you for it.