Goodbye Social Media

    A few months ago I decided to give up my social media for 6 months. I had listened to an interview with Jaron Lanier about his book : Ten Arguments For Deleting Your Social Media Accounts Right Now. In the interview he spoke of the importance of knowing yourself and the busyness that social media creates. I became very intrigued and started thinking about my connections on social media and if it was a harmful source in my life.
     I have a life philosophy to seek growth and continual change no matter where I'm at;  so I took this challenge. In some ways this belief becomes harmful because I forget to just enjoy my life as it is, and risk never feeling satisfied with what I have in front of me. In being a follower of Jesus this also becomes an act of disobedience as scripture speaks about not worrying, letting God lead you and choosing to live out a life of joy, peace and simplicity. Often in the act of following Jesus you go go go, because there is always more to do and more to serve in. A beautiful ideal to keep serving and keep going, but completely forgetting Christs' persistence on rest and taking a Sabbath. I have seen the effects of my life when I keep going and refuse rest. Not only am I left burnt out , but also can create damage to others by not being at my best self. I have said the wrong things, hurt my family and over committed and under performed. This all could have been changed if I pursued rest and not being distracted.
     So after watching this interview I started looking at my distractions and asking myself which ones create the most harm. Months ago I spent hours collectively on my many social media accounts. Between Facebook, Instagram and Twitter I always had my phone near me. Not for phone calls but just to have it with me. I would check my social status, if I have any comments or likes, scroll through others content on their pages, shop and just browse. Collectively for hours at a time I would stay "busy" but with nothing really of substance. So I simply said goodbye to see who I would be in 6 months without it and how I can grow with my newly acquired time.
    What I have found without social media is peace. Without the distraction and "busyness" I don't concern myself with where I stand or others opinions. This has helped me a lot in not caring what people think (which I often struggle with as an insecurity). I don't wonder as much if I'm doing the right thing or liked because what's in front of me is the most important. I'm not posting photos or letting the world know every bit of my day or what I have to do. Part of me misses this because Instagram helps connect me connect with my distant family but it also has created more phone calls and desire for quality time. I have been writing more and really enjoy it. I write more blogs, letters and growing in reading. I also enjoy my kids better and observe more. Secretly I wonder if they had to fight for my attention while I was distracted with my phone. I want technology to be a helpful tool, but for me have found it to be more harmful than good. Hopefully when I return to social media this will have changed. But for now I am enjoying the simplicity my life holds. I enjoy taking more family photos and not feeling the rush to share them. I like the creativity that has come from having more time, and mostly I just enjoy my own thoughts. Writing more for my own spiritual discipline and writing letters is a joy.
    This December I'll have my social accounts back, but I think I'm going to cancel some of them. Maybe with that permanent space there will be even more opportunities for growth and life.