Orla Gartland
patreon
life, lately
🕑 Added 2025-09-25 11:05:19 +0000 UTChey SDC : ) so for the past 3 weeks or so I've had no insta or tiktok on my phone and generally I've been the least active on socials than any other point over the last few years. it really shouldn't feel so radical but given as I've been almost constantly 'in campaign' from WOTI until now (WOTI > FIZZ > ENAH) it really has felt like a radical change. it's been a harsh reality check at times; putting so much time & energy into my online presence over the past decade has left me in a place where it is inevitably linked to my self worth. to be online (and to do well online) = good: a rule I've had no choice but to follow to justify giving so much of myself to the internet despite it's direct & negative bearing on my mental health. so trying to cut this cord of dependency on posting and scrolling to dish out those little dopamine hits has been difficult; more difficult than I'd like to admit, honestly. the headspace it has freed up in me (especially at a relatively quiet time career wise) has been both useful and pretty spooky - there's been noticably less to hide behind or distract myself with.
so who am I when I'm not online? that's what I've been trying to figure out. kindles give me the same kind of ick apple watches give me (soz apple watch lovers) but despite that my kindle has noticeably improved my reading habits. something about it's size (and maybe the fact that it sort of looks like a phone?) has me reading not just before bed but on the tube and in other scenarios where I otherwise might reach for my phone. so, some book recs from me:
Sunburn by Chloe Michelle Howarth (endearing queer coming of age story based in a small Irish town)
Three Women by Lisa Taddeo (powerful non-fiction book following the sex and love lives of three women * TW for mentions of SA *)
Swimming In The Dark by Tomasz Jędrowski (tender story of two men falling in love in communist Poland on opposing sides of the political divide)
I loved all of these books - it's clear I've been thinking a lot about gender & sexuality these past few months!
I've been taking on a few household sidequests like being a good plant mama, re-arranging my bedroom and painting a desk I've had in my room for a few years (see pic above - we went from a light pastel-y teal to a deep blue). it felt really good giving it new life rather than just buying a new one.
kickboxing has also been a weekly joy - I really couldn't recommend it more. for a long time I've wanted a group activity that isn't a team sport (my job has me away often enough to make it hard to show up consistently) but I wanted the buzz of being around others (I go to the gym now & then but it feels so solitary). this local gals-only kickboxing class has really ticked that box for me; aside from the fitness aspect - my god I've never sweated so much in my life - it's also been a great outlet for anger, something I'm accepting I've got a fair amount of in me (often the air I'm punching is the worst parts of the music industry). sadly I missed 2 grading sessions when away touring this year but I think I'll make the next one... so I may soon have baby's first belt !
my question to you, SDC - who are you when offline? what hobbies or interests are a lifeline for you? let me know below :)
music-wise I've been working away on a fun project the last few weeks - frustratingly I can't tell you what it is for a few months (deeply annoying) but I'll tell you that it's something totally new for me! a sick opportunity to keep me busy while I slowlyy dream up the next OG era. I'm excite to tell you more about that when I can
until then - your september demo will be with you soon! I also know that (again) I've been slacking on fulfilling my promises for my silver tier patrons - for that I apologise. I was totally overoptimistic earlier in the year with what I could commit to in & around all the touring but now that I'm home more I'm thinking more actively about something I can give you that could be of value to you (and also a productive use of my energy). thank you so much for bearing with me while I figure it out
all my love always,
OGxxx
Comments
Kit Lammers
Wow - such great comments from SDK here! I haven't had time to post a proper reply until now. but first OG you are so freakin smart to realize what your self worth is tied to! It took me way too long to realize mine was tied to work, still is but I'm trying. (recovering people pleaser). There is a place for social media, like most things its a balance and a realization that they can be trying to influence you in ways we don't even realize so some healthy checking of facts help. I've set mine to only let me be on it an hour a day. Also, I got some yarn and I'm going to try crochet to make a baby blanket for my cousin - keep my hands busy and not for scrolling lol. I love crafts of any kind and also just being able to learn new things and to have challenges. I remember an old tweet from a friend taking kickboxing, they went to their class and it was cancelled but zoomba was there instead and they were like hell no lol (nothing against zoomba but very different vibes lol) - take care and glad to support you as always. K
Charlotte
I love all of this! Sounds like you're filling your cup. So fun to read everyone's answers too. I recently installed an app that puts my phone on a white text on black background mode — limited space for a few apps on my home screen and the rest is in an alphabetic list. Just taking away the social icon and adding the threshold of searching for it in a lost helps a lot. Those who know me a little bit will know I'll always be creative and making things. Photography has been a big one in the past few years, but to avoid drowning in that I'm a bit more selective, trying to pick only the projects that give me joy. I love making collages (I've just assembled a little junk journal), jewelry with tiny beads, personalized trinket dishes with air dry clay and stamps, embroidered onesies for my friends' kids... something that I never thought I'd do is build this whole mid-century inspired bookshelving unit that I'm super happy with. Next up is something to stack my mismatched second hand vinyl/cd/cassette players. And maybe something new for storage in my creative room. Another thing we've been doing more lately is playing games with my family. My sister has a massive board game collection and we have so many laughs. Another thing is while I am not an athletic person at ALL, after many failed attempts and giving up, I FINALLY picked up running this year to the point where I really enjoy it. I'm a total slowpoke but I'm okay with that. Music (metal!) is great fuel. I also have this app that pretends I'm recruited in a camp in a zombie apocalypse. Wanting to keep up with the story works like a charm. (Never enough hours in a day vibes anyone?)
