Marsha Stopa 🚢

I moved deep into the North Carolina mountains to unplug and reconnect. Now I help others do the same. Tweets: rebooting our primal OS, supportive tech, Nature.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

@senthomtillis Please vote NO on the EXPLORE Act, which contains a number of anti-Wilderness provisions. As your constituent, I’m counting on you to #KeepWildernessWild!

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

I just took action along with @selc_org to support expanding the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to allow potential acquisition of the site of a proposed mine that threatens the swamp’s globally significant wildlife habitat. https://t.co/3SnBqkBS0x

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

I just told the Biden administration to protect our old-growth forests and secure a better climate future before it’s too late. Take action now with me and @selc_org. https://t.co/CO07OIUZUh

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

The uncontacted Mashco Piro people of Peru could be wiped out if their territory isn’t fully protected from logging!

I’ve asked @presidenciaperu to protect the territory and stop the logging - will you too?
@Survival @MinCulturaPe @LeslieUrteaga
https://t.co/arEgNPv1e6

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

Canales Tahuamanu logging company is deforesting the uncontacted Mashco Piro people’s land in Peru, putting their lives at risk. @FSC_IC certifies the timber as “sustainable”!
Tell @FSC_IC not to certify timber that destroys the Mashco Piro.
Via @Survival https://t.co/1UTeBgrenP

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

@fortelabs 🧠

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

Dear President @JoeBiden and global leaders: How many more children must die before you support the global call for a ceasefire? As people from across the world, we call for an immediate ceasefire and an end to the blockade in Gaza. #CeasefireNow https://t.co/bUtsVQraUk

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

My heart is heavy with the horror in #Palestine & #Israel. There’s a way to help protect the #Gaza kids facing bombardment & free the Israeli kids hostage and Palestinian kids in prison – but we need massive pressure. Join the call #ShieldTheChildren https://t.co/1FtlR8RyTZ

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

🦈 BREAKING: Brazilian authorities make a jaw-dropping seizure of 28 TONS of illegally obtained shark fins! 😱Join the call to ban the shark fin trade once and for all. #SaveSharks #FinBanNow
https://t.co/g45TWNgMkx

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

@vsellis @profgalloway So useful! Thanks to you both.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @TheUnpluggdClub]

@dickiebush 🤖🤖🤖

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

I refuse to demonize tech.

It’s the glue that binds our world.

But we have to align our tech use with our goals and values.

Social media platforms have been engineered to create addiction because it’s good for their bottom line, not ours.

We need to counter screen with green.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

Benefits of presence:

• None of your life is wasted
• You are fully aware and alive
• You don't waste energy on judgement
• Your presence is the greatest gift you can give
• You hold space for everything - human and non-human

Which is why presence is so valuable.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

Biggest realizations I’ve had on unplugging and boredom:

• My best ideas come in the bathroom with my head over water

• Creativity can’t be planned but it can be triggered

• I only need two facts and a strong opinion to start writing

After that, I trust the process.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

Social media has corrupted the essence of "presence."

Tips to develop presence:

• Bring back your wandering attention
• Practice non-judgment
• Learn how to gaze into someone’s eyes
• Eliminate or turn down distractions
• Become comfortable being you

No, no apps for this.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

To develop presence, master these 5 skills:

• Holding a single point-of-focus
• Managing your energy
• Not engaging your emotional waves
• Bringing all senses online at the same time
• Dropping all judgement

Ignore everything else.

Just focus on building these.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

3 cultural challenges you will experience when trying to cultivate boredom:

• An idle mind invites the devil

• Society rewards busyness

• Marketers use boredom and FOMO to trigger compulsive buying

Overcome these and your creativity skyrockets.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

Great quote on boredom:

“'I’m bored’ is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big, vast world that you’ve seen none percent of... The fact that you’re alive is amazing, so you don’t get to say ‘I’m bored.'"

― Louis C.K.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

Boredom skills to master if you want more creativity:

• Indulge the in-between moments - don't rush to fill them

• Let your brain and body rest, your nervous system unlock

• Creative thoughts need space to bubble up.

• Always have an empty container waiting.

[Marsha Stopa 🚢 @MarshaStopa]

5 unexpected benefits of boredom:

• Your brain and body rest

• Your nervous system unlocks

• Creative thoughts bubble up

• You don’t need your phone to fill the time

• You can be at peace anytime, anywhere

Which is why boredom is so valuable.