Informed but not Immersed

Since I became a mom, social media and I have had a precarious relationship. For a time, I used social media to track and share my baby’s milestones much like I did with my own life. But recently I’ve found I can’t be chronically online; I need breaks. I also come to like privacy, intimate moments.

My distance from being largely engrossed in social media/online began when I left the news industry. News predicates itself on being fast and accurate. From my time in college through four professional years, I absorbed the news. Absorbed seems the appropriate term because you take a lot in like a sponge but rarely have a means to release it in actionable ways beyond the reporting. As I’ve gotten older and more sensitive (thank you motherhood physiological changes), I began to guard myself; monitor what I expose myself to. I’m always managing the balance, not sticking my head in the sand but not also not having my nose in everything. 

I will always want to know what is going on with my friends and family, the world locally and internationally and how I can help. But now I aim to be informed, not immersed. If someone brings me new information, I don’t beat myself up for not knowing it before, but I graciously take it in. It is impossible to know everything at all times, the world is vast, we are not God. I look at it through the lens of my limited time, energy, and resources. Instead of knowing everything about [insert news, pop culture item, etc] what could I be stewarding? What does God want me to focus on? I can only do so much at a time and now I question many things and ask myself, is it a distraction? Things may not be bad or good but they may not necessarily be the best for us or the best use of our time.  

“Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” (Proverbs 4:23-27)

For my own well-being, I began to look at social media as a place I go; dip in and dip out. Sort of like the Matrix. Not a state of being, a lifestyle, an extension of myself. It’s no longer my first go to/default place to share. For a time, it was many of these things but I’m enjoying living life offline. Practicing being present, enjoying the moment and remembering everyone isn’t online. I have family and friends who haven’t posted or logged on in yearrrrrrrrsssssssss.

I also acknowledge the seasonality of life and there may come a time where life’s obligations force me to be online more. But for right now, I’m embracing a hidden season, tucked away moments. I’m shepherding my strength toward working on my debut novel. Reading. Being present with friends and family. Exploring my city. Supporting local businesses. Trying new hobbies like birding. Living. 

Hopefully you’ll join me. I’m always a text or email away!