Jean Campbell
1 min readJan 2, 2025

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Something I've noticed as I age is how my tolerance for noise and activity reaches a threshold fast. I grew up in the 1960s and 70s when it was relatively peaceful. For example, Christmas was one day a year. Fireworks on 4th of July were one night, not for the week. Multi-tasking wasn't a thing. Video games were pong. The hardware store had actual customer service. Etc. I've aged as the level of nonstop stimulation has grown unchecked. I moved to a rural, gated community in my mid-50s, and it feels a lot like an earlier time. The hardware store has knowledgeable customer service; I can take a hike instead of watching TV; driving doesn't involve insane traffic. Etc. I don't think my solution is perfect but it's the best I could do with my resources. The circus environment is good for people who are making money, like most of what goes on in this country. It's a lot easier to tolerate when you are young, and when you've known nothing else. But is it healthy? It's hard to imagine it could be.

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Jean Campbell
Jean Campbell

Written by Jean Campbell

Writer by day, reader by night, napper by afternoon.

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