Jet Lag and the Joy of Being Offline

Every modern journey, it seems, is bookended with multiple sleepless nights, yawns at inappropriate moments, and, of course, cups of coffee. If you’re unlucky, this dazed reality lasts for about 72 hours before days begin to feel somewhat normal. The affliction is worse if you’re a fully paid-up member of the club called “middle-aged man.” In other words, I’m back, grappling with jet lag that woke me at an ungodly hour and made me sleepy at the most inopportune times.

Last night (or was it this morning?) was no different. I woke up and couldn’t return to sleep. So, I began to write — first, in my analog journal, organizing my thoughts. As I put my mind to paper, I realized that for the first time in many years, I didn’t ask myself, “What did I miss?” It dawned on me that even if I did miss something, what difference would it make? If it’s important, its significance would reveal itself.

Being (mostly) offline in distant lands with my cameras, trying to capture the beauty of our planet, allowed me to reset what has become a modern routine (and reality) of living online and relying on online services for almost everything. It was refreshing to be distanced from the social posturings of the rich and infamous.

It felt fantastic not to rely on YouTube for a lullaby. And nothing compares to the reminder that reading books can be a singular joy when you’re disconnected. The best part about being (almost) offline is that you can effortlessly and wisely avoid all the minutiae and drama that passes for news, media, and events. In the grand scheme of things, most of it is just filler — noise drowning out the substantial content.

After just under three weeks, I feel refreshed, recharged, and energized, possessing a clarity that helps me prioritize what’s essential and what’s merely fleeting. One of the best parts of these trips to the Arctic landscapes is the reminder of time’s long arc — and our minuscule significance in the galactic equation.

It’s time to hit the ground running. I have board meetings and other related tasks piled up. Hopefully, the jet lag will let me catch up. I’ll share a more extended travel piece with photos later this month when I’ve assembled my thoughts. Until then, I hope a few photos — taken with my iPhone — will suffice.

September 22, 2023. San Francisco