Monday marked four weeks of my social media fast. When I started this I thought I would update you guys every week on all the things I wanted to say on social media, and how I was doing with the absence of it in my life.
But then I realized that you probably don't care.
When I stepped back from all the 140 character thoughts I realized that these thoughts are not what you want to hear from me. I haven't shared any pictures of my new Stitch Fix box, I didn't get to tell you that I went to Magnolia Cafe at midnight Monday night just because all my kids are gone and I can do something crazy like that, I didn't share the pictures of the most amazing tacos that Aaron made the other day, and I didn't share any of my pictures from Amos' birthday party this weekend.
The thing is that all those thoughts above I did share with some of you. It was in a personal message. A text message. A conversation. A phone call. That is making me happy.
What's happening in my head is the best part of all of this. I tried to explain this to someone the other day and the best I can say is that I feel as though there's more space. I spend ZERO time during the day reading about other people's lives. ZERO.
I spend zero time during the day peeping into strangers lives via instagram that I don't even know.
I spend zero time following people's witty thoughts via twitter.
What I am spending time on are my thoughts. I've been wrecked about the sex trafficking that is happening in my city. I've been driven by the places. These brothels are 5 minutes from my house. I've listened to stories of women in my city that are forced into this industry. I've been praying for some of them by name, and my heart is bleeding for them.
I'm spending my time looking at my kids. I am writing this from the airport and as I walked through the terminal do you know what everyone is doing? Looking down. All of them on their phones. Families on vacation and they are on their phones. Couples getting away and they are all looking down. I have no idea if my kids have noticed, and honestly they have no idea what I'm doing, but I pray that I will be more aware when this is over. I pray that I will hold their hand more when this over and not my phone so much. I pray that I will take pictures of them to keep as my memories and not to share with hundreds of people that don't really know us.
And since I can't Instagram that I'm leaving on a plane to get away with my man I'll leave you with this picture.
Don't I look so happy? It's because I am!! It's just him and I for 7 days. We haven't been on vacation for this long since our honeymoon. I hope that we don't get tired of each other!
And yes that's my new Stitch Fix skirt that I'm completely in love with. If they lose my bags on the way I could easily wear this for a week because it's so comfy!
Also for your enjoyment here's the KXAN interview that my friend Meghan and I did a few weeks ago about our social media fast. It was fun to share our journey and the news anchor was so sweet that I'm gonna stalk her and make us be real friends.
I’m thinking a social media fast of some sort is in order for me, too. I’ve never done one before (and have been on Facebook since the beginning when it came to my school), so I might start small. 🙂 I did take FB off of my phone for a couple of months and that alone was really good for me! It’s definitely not all bad, but it can for sure become an idol or can stir up ugly in our hearts.
Enjoy your vacation with your man! 🙂
Oh my goodness. I just found your blog a few days ago, and this is what God has been working on my heart about. Putting down the phone, the constant checking Facebook and Instagram news feeds, and spending time with my daughter and husband. Thank you for this post and for inspiring me to keep going in my effort to turn off social media and enjoy the moments with my family.
Thanks Julie!
Jamie,
I am LOVING your blog and podcast! Just this morning I had an hour of cleaning to do and I just turned on your conversation with Wynne Elder and it made the mundane so much more fun! Thank you! Two weeks ago I listened to your podcast with Jen Hatmaker when you talked about beginning your social media break and I had already been thinking about it. Your conversation with Jen and what you both talked about with this being new territory we’re blazing without any blueprint or instruction manual was the nudge I needed to push me over the edge and jump in with you. And I have to say, I’m loving every minute of having my brain back. My two daughters are on summer break and we are having such sweet time together. I’m finding more patience and more enjoyment in my days for the moments I get to share with them and their little 21 month old brother. I’m really examining what I’m going to do with regard to social media when my break is over in July. I don’t tend to be a real extreme personality and aim to live life in moderation and attempt to be balanced, so what my engagement with social media looks like moving forward will be interesting to see.
Thanks for all the discussions on what you and your guests are reading! I’m getting some excellent ideas and am having a blast reading, now that I’m not spending time reading about everyone’s roller-coaster emotions, dinner they are eating, pinterest fails they’re having, and all the rest that I don’t miss on social media. 🙂
I love what you’re doing and love the new intro song on your podcast! Keep it up, sister! Way to use your gifts!
You guys look so happy! Enjoy your vacation. I’m sure you’ll have a blast! As far as the social media fast goes, I think it’s great. I’m trying to cut back too, but it’s so hard. Mostly I’m convicted about how I spend my time when I’m around my 3 young children. I want them to always know that they’re more important than my phone.
You guys have so much fun!!!