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 ...
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?
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.
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 ...
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.
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!
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?
Very thoughtful piece. I am thinking of doing the same. But I do like Substack. The writing is more thoughtful and topics more interesting.
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.
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.
Love your perspective and decision. You encourage me to do likewise.