Starting in January, I disabled the Instagram app from my phone. I later ended up removing the Facebook one as well. Here's what I've learned about myself as a result of that:
Coming into the new year, I knew I could only swim at the fast pace social media demanded for so long. I was exhausted, gulping for air in a digital current sweeping me away.
So, I made a full stop.
I found myself on the bank with the sun warming my back. It was slower there. The never ending scroll-river streamed right on by without me for weeks. I was fine with it.
Oh, sure. I missed that connection. But the peace I discovered up on the shore was too relieving for me to want to dive back in. So I waited it out. I wrote and searched and talked and took long, slow breaths. I listened to the birds. I worked hard on things in my heart and our home.
I rested my mind.
And now as I (ever so slowly) wade back into the stream of social media sharing, I'm thinking about how I want to move forward.
There's too much to sum up in one post but, I do know I'm committed to putting beauty into the world. Whether that's mainly through the channels of social media, my monthly letters or blogging, I'm not sure yet.
I don't know if anyone actually still reads my blog. Truthfully, I realize I don't need them too. I use this space as a creative outlet. It's where I work out my thoughts, memories and unique perspective on life.
It's where I share my story in all it's messy, mundane, marvelous glory.
If you happen to be one of the sweet readers who stop by here to participate, I'm so grateful for you.
I'm not giving up on Instagram (not yet anyway, ha!). But I won't be on there near as much.
I will be making time to to invest in fuller, richer work which I'll be sharing here on this blog as well as the letters I send out to inboxes during the month (you can sign up for those HERE. There's already 200+ hearts that have joined me there and what we're creating together is something special).
Moving forward, I want to be clear about the stories and messages I share publicly. I want it to add to, uplift, and encourage your life. Not subtract or distract from it.
So, in the spirit of honesty, here's a peek into what I'm offering to anyone who happens to invest in what I share, wherever I share it.
What you won't find here:
- Content that wastes time--yours or mine. (only do what it needful)
- Putting out half-hearted offerings
- The pursuit of things (forever waging that glorious war on clutter!)
- Making others feel unimportant
- Anything that contradicts God’s Word
What you will find here:
- An honest, fumbling onward-striving pursuit of Jesus Christ
- The prioritizing of my family
- The healing power of imagination, story and beauty (more on this soon!)
- Meaningful, connective offerings
- A space to feel valued, seen and heard
- The commitment to diligence (not giving up)
- Positive thinking rooted in the hope of my Savior
I'm happy to have had this month to sort out the clutter--both literally and figuratively--that I'd allowed to gather in my life.
I'm entering February with a lighter heart and calmer soul.
All glory to God for what He has done.