Almost a WHOLE YEAR off Social Media!
Guys, where did the time go?
I’ve been totally off social media for almost a whole year. What the heck?!
It was the beginning of December last year that I had been feeling an invitation from the Lord to sign off for an extended time, and when I casually opened up to John about it he was ALL for it!
It’s the best decision I’ve made in a long, long time.
I feel more free and less anxious.
I actually feel more connected.
I feel like an in-person person, not an online persona.
I feel less concerned about what others think of me.
I feel less concerned about what others think of how I spend my time.
I really don’t miss certain parts of it like I thought I would.
For me, I think social media functions mostly as a vice. For all the things I didn’t want to face, think about, or take the effort and time to work through, I could just casually pick up my phone to be entertained, informed, and relaxed, at least for a moment. Kind of like the escape of TV or food.
I say all this not from an I’ve-arrived or I’m-up-here perspective. But I do want to add my hearty AMEN to the very counter-cultural idea that social media isn’t as necessary as we think it is to live whole, healthful, connected, important, relevant, and informed lives.
It really can be done, it really isn’t that hard, and you really don’t miss out on much.
I would even venture say that you miss out on more by being regularly engaged with social media.
I can’t define what that line is for anyone! But I can say how much completely unplugging from it for a year has meant to me and my family, especially during this precious and fragile stage of having babies.
Here’s one thing that after nearly a whole year without the daily chatter (chaos?) of social media I have noticed about myself:
When I dress myself, do my hair, or do my makeup, it is such an act of love towards myself, for ME to enjoy! It is a creative expression of how I’m feeling that day!
I think after years of being that fashiony, hair-and-makeup-y friend, I had some real insecurities about enjoying things that would go into the “looks” category. I’m very internal, very aware of my spiritual, emotional, and mental landscape, but I have always put time and effort into fashion and beauty. So for quite some time (and from years of playful yet jabbing remarks from some friends/people around me) I felt very insecure about that. Am I vain? Do I really care that much about how others perceive me? Is there something wrong with my motives?
Well, after a year of no OOTDs, selfies, or constant ingestion others’ outfit, hair, or makeup choices (or ads/sponsorships), I came to this very freeing, very supportive and loving conclusion about myself: I do it for ME! Hey!! I ENJOY IT! I feel more put together and like I have creatively expressed outwardly things I may be feeling internally! I have so enjoyed asking myself 1) what I need to do that day 2) what outfit would serve me best for the day’s needs and 3) how I would feel most true to myself that day.
Sometimes it’s an athletic outfit with a ponytail and minimal makeup. Sometimes it’s trousers that actually fit me with more of a brown/sienna color palette on my face, and letting my hair do whatever it’s doing that day. Sometimes it’s pinks, beachy waves, dresses, and clogs. I try to connect the internal to my external.
That might all seem a little much to you. That’s okay! We all have different loves and speeds and focuses. This revelation really meant a lot to me, and I want to remember it!
So, as I round out this year off of social media, I’m trying to notice the things that have changed. Over the months, these changes have quietly slipped into the rhythms of my everyday, into the tapestry of my now normal life. But I want to point them out, hold them in gratefulness, because just a year ago, some of these now-normal things were things I missed and hoped for. I don’t want to take them for granted, and I don’t want to casually go back to life as usual, life with social media, without my head on straight.
Speaking of, will I go back to Instagram and Facebook?
And have I really, REALLY been totally off, in every way?
Stay tuned.
Or not. Go buy a Christmas tree, or make cookies, or have a conversation with your family.
All my love to you, the heart/mind/soul/person who is reading this on the other side of the digital screen,
Samantha Whitfield Crowder Ray, a whole in-person person, just like you!
P.S. Here’s the whole series of progress updates this year!
I’m Taking a Year Off Social Media
On Being Off Socials, How It’s Going So Far
3 Month Social-Media-Free Update
I’ve Never Felt More Beautiful
6 Month Social-Media-Free Update
And here are some other helpful posts about living a tech-intentional life, it you’re feelin the need to unplug for however short or long!