Heather, your post could not have come at a better time. I was sitting at my laptop drafting a post about leaving several platforms when I was distracted by Facebook. Lo and behold, your FB page popped up with the header announcing your move!
I've been working on this post for a week. Trying to make sure I'm clear on my intentions. And mostly, moving toward the possibilities that may open as some of the heaviness of social media is removed. I'm working on my next book and I find that social media distracts me and sends me down the rabbit hole. And I'm allowing that to happen. And I don't like it.
My time and energy is better spent on my next two books, honing my poetry skills, walking the cliffs of the Algarve where I live and being at service to those who benefit and value my contributions to their welfare. Your post was like a sign - "yes, this is right for you," it says. I've been sitting with this since Christmas during the weeks I could be quiet.
I'm so glad to hear that it resonated. I felt like I was spinning my wheels on social media, not getting any traction and always getting distracted from my real work. Yes, as you say, our time is better served writing our books and walking on the cliffs. I've been off for six weeks now, and there are very few moments when I miss it.
That "spinning my wheels" is exactly what started me thinking about this. I'm exhausted from it and prefer to write and walk and live and write more. Glad to know you haven't missed it. FOMO is strong! Thanks Heather. Oh, BTW, we share a good friend - Gretchen Krampf - who introduced me to your work.
Thank you for sharing this Heather. I recently took IG and FB off of my phone and it drastically reduced my screen time on social media by about 30-40%. I still get lured in by the siren song of it all (totally get FOMO) and am looking at more ways to regulate the time spent scrolling. I am in recovery and I know that the only way I stopped using things that took me out of my life and altered my mood was to stop cold turkey. My therapist asked me when I would be ready to quit ( as I showed her a bag filled with prescription bottles) and I answered, “ Not yet.” When I did finally look at all of the ways I escaped my beautiful life and my feelings by using mind and mood altering substances, people, activities, shopping, eating , screen time I saw some goodness but mostly time spent running away from the goodness of who I am and so I quit 5 1/2 years ago with most of it. Today I feel the same way about social media, I still feel some joy in it but have begun to wonder how much more joy I could be experiencing if I quit this too, cold turkey. This is still in process and the way you have described social media as being in an abusive relationship has put my feet more in the direction of clarity and why I’m not read… yet. Again, thank you so so much.
Wow, Heather! You really nailed it this time. An abusive relationship. Thank you for your continuing courage to show up andd your penetrating insights.
Thank you for this insightful and detailed sharing… I have been holding a similar tension for a few months now. December has given me space to slow a little and leave some of the social platforms behind. I’m not completely gone yet but in my heart and mind I have moved the dial. Substack has been a slower experience for me intentionally. But I’m trying to expand with like minded writers and learn from leaders like you. Thank you for sharing your heart here and inspiring us to consider how we will use the time and talent we have been given.
I loved reading this, Heather. Your clarity is a light shining out for all of us who are struggling with the monster that social media has become. I’m not quite ready to leave it altogether (mostly for personal connection reasons but also there is FOMO and a fear of being forgotten - neither of which I’m proud of) but I did recently make a very difficult decision that allowed me to take substantial time away for the first time in years. I’m reading books like Stolen Focus and Digital Minimalism as I find my way to what works best for me. I will be curious to read how this feels for you in future posts. Wishing you a wonderful year.
Thank you, Heather. You said everything that needed to be said.
Thank you!
Heather, your post could not have come at a better time. I was sitting at my laptop drafting a post about leaving several platforms when I was distracted by Facebook. Lo and behold, your FB page popped up with the header announcing your move!
I've been working on this post for a week. Trying to make sure I'm clear on my intentions. And mostly, moving toward the possibilities that may open as some of the heaviness of social media is removed. I'm working on my next book and I find that social media distracts me and sends me down the rabbit hole. And I'm allowing that to happen. And I don't like it.
My time and energy is better spent on my next two books, honing my poetry skills, walking the cliffs of the Algarve where I live and being at service to those who benefit and value my contributions to their welfare. Your post was like a sign - "yes, this is right for you," it says. I've been sitting with this since Christmas during the weeks I could be quiet.
Thanks so much for the nudge.
I'm so glad to hear that it resonated. I felt like I was spinning my wheels on social media, not getting any traction and always getting distracted from my real work. Yes, as you say, our time is better served writing our books and walking on the cliffs. I've been off for six weeks now, and there are very few moments when I miss it.
That "spinning my wheels" is exactly what started me thinking about this. I'm exhausted from it and prefer to write and walk and live and write more. Glad to know you haven't missed it. FOMO is strong! Thanks Heather. Oh, BTW, we share a good friend - Gretchen Krampf - who introduced me to your work.
I love Gretchen! She helped me organize part of my book tour in Washington State. ♥️
Thank you for putting into words what so many of us are feeling.
Thank you for sharing this Heather. I recently took IG and FB off of my phone and it drastically reduced my screen time on social media by about 30-40%. I still get lured in by the siren song of it all (totally get FOMO) and am looking at more ways to regulate the time spent scrolling. I am in recovery and I know that the only way I stopped using things that took me out of my life and altered my mood was to stop cold turkey. My therapist asked me when I would be ready to quit ( as I showed her a bag filled with prescription bottles) and I answered, “ Not yet.” When I did finally look at all of the ways I escaped my beautiful life and my feelings by using mind and mood altering substances, people, activities, shopping, eating , screen time I saw some goodness but mostly time spent running away from the goodness of who I am and so I quit 5 1/2 years ago with most of it. Today I feel the same way about social media, I still feel some joy in it but have begun to wonder how much more joy I could be experiencing if I quit this too, cold turkey. This is still in process and the way you have described social media as being in an abusive relationship has put my feet more in the direction of clarity and why I’m not read… yet. Again, thank you so so much.
Wow, Heather! You really nailed it this time. An abusive relationship. Thank you for your continuing courage to show up andd your penetrating insights.
With you, Heather! ❤️
Thank you for this insightful and detailed sharing… I have been holding a similar tension for a few months now. December has given me space to slow a little and leave some of the social platforms behind. I’m not completely gone yet but in my heart and mind I have moved the dial. Substack has been a slower experience for me intentionally. But I’m trying to expand with like minded writers and learn from leaders like you. Thank you for sharing your heart here and inspiring us to consider how we will use the time and talent we have been given.
Felt your TRUTH …One Step One Breath…with deep respect & caring
courageous and necessary.
I loved reading this, Heather. Your clarity is a light shining out for all of us who are struggling with the monster that social media has become. I’m not quite ready to leave it altogether (mostly for personal connection reasons but also there is FOMO and a fear of being forgotten - neither of which I’m proud of) but I did recently make a very difficult decision that allowed me to take substantial time away for the first time in years. I’m reading books like Stolen Focus and Digital Minimalism as I find my way to what works best for me. I will be curious to read how this feels for you in future posts. Wishing you a wonderful year.
I’m definitely feeling some FOMO too, but so far, mostly peacefulness and curiosity.