Tuesday, Dec 23, 2025 at 5:59 PM 91/100 ( #100days writing challenge)

I’m “jonesing” for a new smartphone—yes, that’s the word, even though I don’t usually such slang. After getting through the worst of the holiday resentment, it feels like the right moment for another self‑presie ritual.

Before indulging in a new purchase, I wanted to write. My housemate has been sleeping most of the day and night, which looks like depression. I talked with a psychologist today, and it was helpful. We compared the situation to John the Baptist, noting that he shared some traits with other disoriented, unhoused persons I sometimes encounter. As children of the Heavenly Father, we reminded ourselves, “We don’t have to walk on the same path as them.” I’m not sure where that thought originated, but it is obvious.

John the Baptist reportedly survived on locusts and honey in the desert and frequently clashed with authorities. He must have seemed frightening to his contemporaries. Reflecting on that, I realized I sometimes feel like the “deranged” person in my extended family—a feeling amplified by societal stigma toward me with a brain illness.

The #100Days Writing Challenge isn't too hard, and now I’m eyeing a new Pixel phone. I have one foot already in the Apple ecosystem, but Android devices appeal to me because they’re highly customizable and offer more power for less money. I previously settled for a lower‑end iPhone; its system is solid, but the chipset isn’t as strong as I’d like. What really pulls me toward the iPhone is the Apple Watch—my wrist‑mounted digital assistant. That makes me lean toward staying with Apple. However, the current sale on the Pixel is tempting.

While writing for this Listed.to blog, I hit a wall that made me question my purpose: I want to entertain and edify readers, yet sometimes the immediate goal is simply to finish the piece. That tension mirrors my mindset for tonight’s blog post—number 91 of 100 in the #100Days Writing Challenge.