This is 45 🎉

Today is my birthday and I turn 45!! 🎉

As a present to myself, today will be the last time I post to social networks (Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.). This is a decently uncomfortable stance to take, but in the end, most of these platforms don’t aid my life’s enjoyment out of saving me from boredom and making me feel falsely productive. I will instead update my life for anyone that cares to passively catch up with me on my personal website, sheltondavis.com. There are many people on these social media platforms that I care about and want to stay in contact with, so I am working out how to keep in touch with them beyond the platforms.

More self loving birthday presents:

🚶🏽‍♂️‍➡️ I went for a long walk in the woods before sunrise, saw the first seasonal daffodils, walked the labyrinth, and thought about my mom.

☕️ My neighbor, Mitchell, made me an amazing cup of coffee (cawfee) and we talked about what it means to be a good person in this world. While we think it is easy, we are amazing at how difficult it is for others.

🍳 I ate a lovely breakfast with L, Juju, and Gribble.

🪒 I shaved off my beard. (see photo)

🏎️ I played cars with my son.

📚 I read a few chapters out of a book my daughter gave me to read, All Creatures Great and Small.

🔥 I am sitting near the fireplace thinking about my present life and future desires. There are definitely things I want to do in my next 45 years, big bucket list items, experiences, adventures, and more. There are also many things I don’t want to carry into the 45 years (if I am lucky!). I don’t want to carry my recurring practices of being addicted to mindless distractions to cover up my boredom and make me feel productive. I don’t want to keep quiet about privileged people do wrong things, but I also don’t want to passively shout about them on social media.

💪🏽 My next 45 years will be built on action, attempts, and shared iterations.

💪🏽 My next 45 years will be built on hand written letters, hugs, intimate partnerships, and amazing runs.

💪🏽 My next 45 years will be built together with a few amazing people.

So, what does my the future hold?

• Instagram doesn’t have a place in my future.
• Threads doesn’t have a place in my future.
• Facebook doesn’t has a place in my future.
• Linkedin doesn’t have a place in my future.
• Twitter / X doesn’t have a place in my future.
• BlueSky barely has a place in my future.
• Email has a minor a place in my future!
• WhatsApp (for now) has a minor place in my future!
• Hand written letters and post cards have a place in my future! (Let’s be pen pals!)
• WordPress has a place in my future!
• Conversations over coffee/tea have a place in my future!
• Conversations during walks / runs have a place in my future!
• Phone calls have a place in my future!
• Art and design has a place in my future!
• Building cool things has a place in my future!
• Reading all types of books, especially the spicy ones, have a place in my future!
• Growing, caring, and loving plants have a place in my future!
• Cute kittens and well behaved dogs have a place in my future!
• Adventures with close friends have a place in my future!
• Date nights with Laura have a place in my future!
• All the time I can have with Juliette and Grayson have primary places in my future!
• Deep love, respect, and enjoyment of myself has a place in my future!

Here’s to the next 45 years, Shai!

w.e.l.l.,
sD