17 Comments
Mar 4Liked by Denise J. Hughes

Denise, this is such a beautiful ode to the unplugged life. You speak truth in every paragraph without judgement or ranting and raving. I've never spent time on social media because I was spending more than enough on blogging and just generally wandering around online. So I'm wondering how you handle Substack and its interesting opportunities as well as the many rabbit trails that easily beckon ...

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An ode to the uplugged life. I like that!

You ask some good questions. While I have left social media for good, I do still utilize certain aspects of the Internet. I haven't gone the way of a total Luddite just yet! :-) I talked a little about Substack here (https://denisejhughes.substack.com/p/what-is-substack), but there is more to say and consider. I will keep your questions in the back of my mind as I write future posts. Thanks!

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Mar 4Liked by Denise J. Hughes

I look forward to the dialogue!

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Mar 4·edited Mar 4Liked by Denise J. Hughes

Thanks for sharing this, Denise. I enjoy hearing your honest and well-researched posts on what's going on, especially from a teacher's perspective.

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Thank you, Carol. Being a teacher in a public high school classroom definitely impacted my view on what social media is really doing.

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Mar 4Liked by Denise J. Hughes

My husband refuses to call it social media anymore, he just refers to it as Counterfeit Community. I think it’s an apt term.

Great piece, thank you for sharing your thoughts here!

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Counterfeit Community! That's the truth! Thanks for sharing!

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I think we can live without social media. I never built that much of a platform for my writing, so what would you suggest to writers who still feel like it's a required part of the machine? I still use social media, but not as much as I did in the past - for many reasons, some you listed here. I am still writing in a small but faithful way. Although I have slowed in recent weeks to be more thoughtful and considerate about who I am writing for. I don't mean to speak negativity or anything from the evil one over myself when I say this, but I don't think I'm the type of writer to be a best seller or sell tons and tons of books. I feel called to ministry, so I'm just trying to be faithful in small ways to steward that call. Not sure what I am trying to ask, but perhaps how would you encourage someone to be faithful in their call or pursuit of writing without social media?

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Mar 4·edited Mar 4Author

Jamie,

I am so glad to hear that you are "still writing in a small but faithful way." I think that is huge. I also love that you recognize that you "feel called to ministry" and that you want to "steward that call." You are speaking words of wisdom there.

What would I "suggest to writers who still feel like it's a required part of the machine"?

That is such a great question. I have a lot to share on this. I might just have to make this the subject of a soon-future piece. More to come. :-)

Denise

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Very thoughtful piece. I am thinking of doing the same. But I do like Substack. The writing is more thoughtful and topics more interesting.

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Thank you, Jillian. I like Substack too. It's been a good place, so far, where I can write more in long-form.

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Mar 4·edited Mar 4Liked by Denise J. Hughes

Left FB last year, my only social media platform. I do miss being able to connect with old friends or past co-workers who I don’t otherwise.

But, this was life before social media…

You lost contact with a lot of people!

Effort is made for those you really want to stay in contact with though.

A lot of time is spent mindlessly scrolling & you realize just how much when you don’t do it anymore.

When I go places with my family or friends, I don’t feel the need to capture with a picture to post it either.

That was always a strong pull too.

The decision is a complex one for sure.

But I’m more content without it.

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Holly, I love how you mention that "Effort is made for those you really want to stay in contact with." You are so right. And, yes, it is a complex decision. I agree. Thank you for your thoughts here.

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Mar 5Liked by Denise J. Hughes

Thank you for this Denise, I have been mulling around getting off social media for some time and your writing here is convincing me even more. I am sick of seeing what you mention, I hardly ever see any friends posts any more. It so concerns me what my grandkids are coming into too.

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Thank you, Mary. I am concerned for future generations too. Seriously concerned.

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Mar 6Liked by Denise J. Hughes

Love your perspective and decision. You encourage me to do likewise.

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So grateful for you, Donna!

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