I couldn’t wait to get glasses when I was a kid.
It’s not because I knew I couldn’t see (I didn’t have any normal-control to which I could compare my Monet filtered life); it was just because I wanted to look like one of my favorite storybook characters.
And nerdy Ivy I was – for a while at least.
But it wouldn’t be until years later that I’d learn whether your reading stops at Ivy Cottage or goes all the way to Ivy league college – both can eff up your vision on an increasing level (along with years of Nintendo or playing doing work on a computer). A recent study looked at why nerds rock frames more frequently (we’re excluding lens hipsters for now) and I wasn’t altogether surprised to see that those who go through higher education tend to earn themselves myopia (can’t see shiz that’s far away). What I was surprised to learn, though, is just how rapidly that happens. Every subsequent year of school correlated to a worsening of vision. Just another reason I can be glad I didn’t get my master’s degree. #anyjustificationwilldo
It’s easy to start self-analyzing when we read things like this and say, “Obviously, I need to change my whole life from a desk job to something else.” And many a night have I assumed a position that could’ve been sculpted by Auguste Rodin himself, while ruminating on whether I should blow up my home, turn my laptop into a Frisbee off my terrace, and start off on an aimless itinerant adventure into the woods.
But, then I realized, that’s what little bishes do.
They throw away the whole story when one part goes wrong. And then maybe a whole Harry Potter series that could’a made them millions… dies in the trash. I know at least a handful of dudes who successfully work with computers all day. Some of them have the same-level bad vision as back in high school or college. Others have maintained perfecto eyesight their whole life. And you wanna know what the common denom is with all these people?
Balance.
When I check out their social media, there’s evidence of plenty of time spent outside – with friends or solo – hiking, exploring, volunteering, rafting, etc.
(Don’t be fooled. This looks like I’m helping saving the environment, but I’m really just saving my eyes by getting outside a bit.)
And that’s exactly what another part of the study seemed to show. Reportedly, kids who spent more time out in the sun when they were younger, tended to avoid eye deterioration as they got older. At that point, I wonder if it’s less of a Vitamin D thing and more of raising kids with an awareness of how awesome it is to be outside and breathe fresh air.
So we can’t blame technology. It’s we who need to change and treat life more like one of my delicious morning smoothies. Do I hate bananas? No. I just need a few more blueberries or mango to accentuate the taste. Likewise, in life, you gotta keep balancing out the ingredients until you get it right.
So… I guess I can’t be too much of a nerd.
’cause if I were smarter, I’d remember to take more of these breaks.
(Also, I fell a bit short of Ivy C. for about ten ninths of my life.)
#bestlaidplans