I once again am taking a sabbatical from all social media for the period of Lent. I started nearly two weeks ago and there definitely has been a void in my life that I’ve taken note of. You don’t realize how much time you devote to someone or something until you stop paying attention to that person or thing. Such has been the case over the past two weeks.
I tend to be a person of habit, as I think many of us are, and my devotion (aka – addiction) to social media certainly fits into that category. Since my first day away from social media on March 5 of this year, I’ve noted quite a few changes in daily habits. The one biggest takeaway is that I don’t use my phone for much more than checking my social media pages. I will check emails and the weather from time-to-time, send or receive the occasional text, but that’s about it.
I’ve had several friends mention that they have noticed my absence on FB and I hope they have checked to see that I’ve left a link for the daily readings I post each day. There are certain individuals whose pages I would check each day and I do miss their tidbits of wisdom they would share most days.
This go-round, perhaps more than any other, I realize the important part that social media plays in my life. It gives me a mode of connection to the people I’ve made friends with, as well as the local events going on around town. Although I know there are other resources to get some of this information, it’s just not the same.
I have over a month left in my hiatus from social media and I hope that I’m able to find productive ways to spend the time I would be using scrolling. I’ve been doing quite a bit of reading and watching YouTube videos and am looking for more productive ways to journal as well.
David Lee
David Lee 