Yep you read it right – a whole summer with no social media, and also limited screens as well. Could you do it? Like delete from your phone, no checking it, no posting, and limit your other browsing significantly. It’s something I’ve been thinking about doing for a while, and I’m pulling the plug and going for it. Do you really care that I won’t be on social media? Probably not and rightfully so – you do have your own life after all! But I figured I would write a little post about it just in case anyone wondered. And maybe you will find value in this and want to join me and do it too!
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So like I said I have been thinking about doing this for a while now – taking the summer to enjoy my kids, do stuff, and find some solitude. I want to be present and mindful. While there is good stuff available on social media, and I do value the connections I have made that I maybe wouldn’t have, I have been wondering if the cost of this is more than the value gained. How many countless hours have I spent looking at CRAP when I could have been doing something else.
I listened to a podcast a little while back and he asked on it “What would make your world stop if it went away tomorrow?” Not a little inconvenience or minor change, but come to a screeching halt. Shortly after listening to this and thinking about taking the summer off already, we were on a walk to the park. Elijah was riding his bike and Daniel and I were walking with the stroller. This park is one we walk to frequently. There is one busy street to cross with a light and a cross walk, and then the rest is all a walking/bike path with no cars. Elijah is aware of street rules and follows them. We waited for the walk sign and he started riding with us walking behind. As we got to almost the middle of the street Daniel yells “STOP – Elijah, STOP!”. As he’s yelling this I can see a car racing toward the crosswalk. I also yelled and started to run, knowing I wouldn’t get there in time but I had to go and mama bear that car. It sped by him maybe 2 seconds before he would have been in that location. 2 seconds and he would have been hit. I lost it. Like crying, couldn’t breath. lost it. For those few seconds, my world came to a stop.
Now, I know that story was long and has nothing to do with social media. Like literally our phones played zero factor in that situation. But what it did give was perspective. That day had been one of those days where it was just rough. The boys were fighting, making messes, not napping for very long, and I was distracted and on my phone too much, and just full of this anxious energy that was spilling out to them. So while my phone wasn’t out on our walk, if something had happened would I have been able to live with the day?
This isn’t to say that I think every moment of every day should be dedicated to our kids and their entertainment, because I think that is detrimental as well. (Read more about that in this book!) But could we be cultivating better quality moments with our loved ones? Even if we’re the only ones who know about them? What matters more? The stuff or the people?
I could keep going, and there are a few other reasons for the shift away, but I’m not ready to share those yet, but I feel like I’m rambling. Basically I’m taking the distractions and clutter away for a little while to be more mindful, and to just eliminate the noise for a bit. I’m an Pieces enneagram 5 with a million ideas and tabs always open, and social media does nothing to help me focus lol!
If you are looking to do the same break, even just 30 days maybe not the whole summer, I would suggest listening to this podcast. It’s long, but so much value is in it and it’s eye opening in a huge way. The book that they talk about in the podcast is Digital Minimalism, which I am currently reading and I would also highly recommend! Lynzy & Co is a blogger who is working on leaving social media permanently, and she has some good resources as well!
As for my blog, I am going to continue writing! I truly do love writing, and so this is something I will keep up doing, so be sure to check back here! I will also be revamping and sending out my weekly newsletter again with less sales and stuff and more of design stuff, mood boards, and quotes from books I’m reading. I would love to have you as a subscriber, and you can also respond to those emails as well, so it could be a great way to continue connecting with you! And I wont be spamming you – once a week max! Sign up here.
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