You touch on something I’ve been thinking about lately. The distracting ourselves that this connection to the online world offers us that can keep us from doing the work, being really present to the life God has called us to. The scrolling can feel productive - but it’s a fake productivity. - like survivor video games are for teens - you feel like you’ve done something, but it’s not real. The listening to all the info - that drowns out the voices right in front of us, or that still small voice, or the hard issues you’re being called to struggle with and pray about. During Lent I have been trying to not wear my earpiece when my family is with me - and it’s been so eye opening. Because even when that earpiece is playing a religious podcast, or a life giving book or music - I was not fully present to those in my house. I was responding to their needs more like an interruption when they came in the midst of making dinner while at a good part of a book. Here’s to more connection by disconnecting. Thanks for your weekly musings!
I started by leaving the phone out of the room while I nursed the baby, an offering for a very special intention. And, wouldn’t you know it, that space assisted in making a beautiful 54 day rosary Novena happen to completion. I’m mostly signed off for Lent, save to check on a dear friend who was in critical condition as Lent began. Praise God she went home today! So, perfect timing on the essay to re-up and sign off completely.
You inspired me to leave IG at the beginning of the year when you announced you would. It had been on my heart for a while. I knew that social media was not adding value to my life. After the first week of reflexively picking up my phone to check instagram the urge dissipated. I can honestly say that I do not miss it at all. I realized that I wasn’t really following anyone that I knew or had a relationship with. I do feel lonelier since I don’t really have any real life friends. Checking in on other people at least gave me the illusion of connection. I’m not really sure how to make friends at this point in my life. I never really connected with parents at my kids’ school or with the parents from my kids’ travel sports teams. Just have always felt like an outsider in that respect. BUT, I will freely admit that leaving social media was a great decision regardless. I had wondered how you had felt since the break with socials, so thank you for the update!
Love this so much, thank you for sharing. I work in social media so even though I've felt the pull to step away a bit from social it's hard to do so but with another baby coming next month and a generous maternity leave in my future - I'm definitely feeling like I can use that time to step away from all the noise :)
This is such an inspiration! I really needed this kick in the butt to reign in my social media habits. I’ve been working reeeeallly hard to limit social media during Lent and some days doing great, some days not so much.there’s this constant tug at my heart to stop picking up my phone to begin with. Thank you,Nell for another encouraging article.
I also got rid of all social media in 2022. I had been slowly getting rid of it. But I ended up back on Facebook because my cousin's wife died and I wanted updates. But then I didn't get off again. Then I finally realized even after I unfollowed every page left all the groups deleted a bunch of friends, Facebook was still doing nothing for me except escaping.
I'm so grateful you are here though. I always find your words so helpful! Praying for you today.
My deep excitement today has been finding out that you have a Substack! I got off social media almost two years ago and there are a small handful of people I missed hearing from and you are one!!! I had searched for you probably summer last year and thought to look again (because of your ETSY restock email) and yay!!
I am sorry to hear of your daughter's health and the journey you are all on with that. I appreciate you sharing your deep thoughts about suffering, simplicity, and detachment (these are the ones I've read so far) and issuing challenges to all of us, calling us toward the One over all.
I immediately subscribed and can't wait to keep reading your generous offerings. Praying for you and yours. ❤️
I'm just now catching up on all of your essays on simplicity - and somehow that seems to explain why I need this so, so much! I gave up Facebook a few years ago, and stepped away from Instagram for Lent. Like others on here, I feel like I haven't really missed it, BUT sometimes I find myself scrolling through the news apps on my phone. Hmmm... something to explore there and maybe move those apps off as well. I have been craving simplicity - life seems so complicated and overwhelming. I am so thankful for your presence here!
Nell Nell Nell!!!! Oh how I've missed you. I've been off IG on and off the last couple of years, solidly since the fall. FB has been so so, mainly used for marketplace. But I've thought of you often and didn't know you're writing here.
But this post! Yes! I often wonder: at what age will these people (myself included) step off social media?! At what point will simplicity happen? Thank you for this!
Excellent article! I fully support you in your "away from you" approach. Over the last three months I have posted several articles on this - my most recent: "Reclaiming your Stolen Focus - A Lenten fast with a tech twist" https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/reclaiming-your-stolen-focus. We not only need to do this for our own sanity and to stay connected to God's reality, but in order to set an example for our children who live among a dreadfully lost generation. When our children grow up hooked to the dopamine-drip of tech, there is little hope for learning, silence, and staying grounded in real-life relationships.
Keep writing and seeing "other’s crinkled brow over coffee":)
You touch on something I’ve been thinking about lately. The distracting ourselves that this connection to the online world offers us that can keep us from doing the work, being really present to the life God has called us to. The scrolling can feel productive - but it’s a fake productivity. - like survivor video games are for teens - you feel like you’ve done something, but it’s not real. The listening to all the info - that drowns out the voices right in front of us, or that still small voice, or the hard issues you’re being called to struggle with and pray about. During Lent I have been trying to not wear my earpiece when my family is with me - and it’s been so eye opening. Because even when that earpiece is playing a religious podcast, or a life giving book or music - I was not fully present to those in my house. I was responding to their needs more like an interruption when they came in the midst of making dinner while at a good part of a book. Here’s to more connection by disconnecting. Thanks for your weekly musings!
I started by leaving the phone out of the room while I nursed the baby, an offering for a very special intention. And, wouldn’t you know it, that space assisted in making a beautiful 54 day rosary Novena happen to completion. I’m mostly signed off for Lent, save to check on a dear friend who was in critical condition as Lent began. Praise God she went home today! So, perfect timing on the essay to re-up and sign off completely.
Nell,
You inspired me to leave IG at the beginning of the year when you announced you would. It had been on my heart for a while. I knew that social media was not adding value to my life. After the first week of reflexively picking up my phone to check instagram the urge dissipated. I can honestly say that I do not miss it at all. I realized that I wasn’t really following anyone that I knew or had a relationship with. I do feel lonelier since I don’t really have any real life friends. Checking in on other people at least gave me the illusion of connection. I’m not really sure how to make friends at this point in my life. I never really connected with parents at my kids’ school or with the parents from my kids’ travel sports teams. Just have always felt like an outsider in that respect. BUT, I will freely admit that leaving social media was a great decision regardless. I had wondered how you had felt since the break with socials, so thank you for the update!
Love this so much, thank you for sharing. I work in social media so even though I've felt the pull to step away a bit from social it's hard to do so but with another baby coming next month and a generous maternity leave in my future - I'm definitely feeling like I can use that time to step away from all the noise :)
Good read. I've been really working on social media for the past six months and have limited use to when my children are sleeping.
Thank you, Nell.
Perfect timing, thanks Nell.
This is such an inspiration! I really needed this kick in the butt to reign in my social media habits. I’ve been working reeeeallly hard to limit social media during Lent and some days doing great, some days not so much.there’s this constant tug at my heart to stop picking up my phone to begin with. Thank you,Nell for another encouraging article.
Proud of you for stepping away from it as it threatened to swallow you whole.
I also got rid of all social media in 2022. I had been slowly getting rid of it. But I ended up back on Facebook because my cousin's wife died and I wanted updates. But then I didn't get off again. Then I finally realized even after I unfollowed every page left all the groups deleted a bunch of friends, Facebook was still doing nothing for me except escaping.
I'm so grateful you are here though. I always find your words so helpful! Praying for you today.
My deep excitement today has been finding out that you have a Substack! I got off social media almost two years ago and there are a small handful of people I missed hearing from and you are one!!! I had searched for you probably summer last year and thought to look again (because of your ETSY restock email) and yay!!
I am sorry to hear of your daughter's health and the journey you are all on with that. I appreciate you sharing your deep thoughts about suffering, simplicity, and detachment (these are the ones I've read so far) and issuing challenges to all of us, calling us toward the One over all.
I immediately subscribed and can't wait to keep reading your generous offerings. Praying for you and yours. ❤️
I'm just now catching up on all of your essays on simplicity - and somehow that seems to explain why I need this so, so much! I gave up Facebook a few years ago, and stepped away from Instagram for Lent. Like others on here, I feel like I haven't really missed it, BUT sometimes I find myself scrolling through the news apps on my phone. Hmmm... something to explore there and maybe move those apps off as well. I have been craving simplicity - life seems so complicated and overwhelming. I am so thankful for your presence here!
Nell Nell Nell!!!! Oh how I've missed you. I've been off IG on and off the last couple of years, solidly since the fall. FB has been so so, mainly used for marketplace. But I've thought of you often and didn't know you're writing here.
But this post! Yes! I often wonder: at what age will these people (myself included) step off social media?! At what point will simplicity happen? Thank you for this!
Excellent article! I fully support you in your "away from you" approach. Over the last three months I have posted several articles on this - my most recent: "Reclaiming your Stolen Focus - A Lenten fast with a tech twist" https://schooloftheunconformed.substack.com/p/reclaiming-your-stolen-focus. We not only need to do this for our own sanity and to stay connected to God's reality, but in order to set an example for our children who live among a dreadfully lost generation. When our children grow up hooked to the dopamine-drip of tech, there is little hope for learning, silence, and staying grounded in real-life relationships.
Keep writing and seeing "other’s crinkled brow over coffee":)