I {heart} blogging. It is the first “hobby” I have ever really had. But, I’m a newbie. My friend Stef and I jokingly call ourselves preschool bloggers. I have so much to learn. Maybe someday, I’ll feel ready to move up to kindergarten. After all, they say all you ever really need to know you learn in kindergarten. Here are a few things I learned recently about Social Media.
Recently, I voluntarily turned off social media for one week. As a natural communicator, my habit is to check Facebook and Twitter frequently throughout the day. As a blogger, these platforms are vital for connecting with you and others who follow 29lincolnavenue or MODsquad Blog. After 7 days of social media silence, here is what I learned:
- You will not be missed: I did not tell anyone (except my husband) that I was taking a break. I average about 20 tweets every day and scan Facebook and comment consistently on a normal week. Not one person noticed my absence. As humbling as this is, I realized that I am only one of millions adding to the constant conversation.
- You will miss something: I was disappointed to learn I missed a Twitter party hosted by one of my favorite blogs. I missed vital information about a large blogging conference I was unable to attend. But more importantly, I missed family updates regarding the health of a loved one. My family assumed I was online. They did not think to call because social media has changed the way we communicate.
- Your Facebook friends are not the same as your Twitter followers: Facebook is about connecting with the people I know. Twitter benefits me in other ways. It allows me to follow and meet people I would not have the chance to meet in the real life. Yes, a stay at home mom like me can follow @michaelhyatt (who also follows me) and others who can help me grow my skills. Real community grows in both places, although in different ways.
- You only have so much creative time: I am a busy mom of four girls. It is essential that I maximize my time so that I can write consistently. Social media can be a distraction for me. I realized during this break, it is necessary for me to turn off Tweet Deck in order to have a creative edge. This type of focus might just take my blog from good to great.
- You can’t substitute social media for your ongoing conversation with God: Social media is always on. I was amazed during my break how often I was inclined to turn to it. Instead, I prayed. I listened. I read. After a few days, I could hear God more clearly because the noise in my life was turned way down.
I frequently hear the evils of social media being discussed. I happen to love it and will continue to use both Facebook and Twitter. My plan is to simply schedule intentional breaks daily, weekly, and monthly from the chatter. This will hopefully create some margin in my life for listening and creativity. What about you? Have you ever taken a break from social media? Did you miss it? Did it miss you? What did you learn?
Interesting insight. I have never taken a break but am sure no one would miss me if i did. Sometimes I think it is so sad how social media has changed the way we communicate. I can’t think about the last time I had wrote someone a letter.
Oh…a letter writing challenge would be fun! On pretty paper and all!
ha ha! well i think we took a break at the same time because i would have noticed you were gone if i was plugged in. i also humbly noticed the same thing, no one noticed me. except my mom who called me and asked if something was wrong with my computer because i had not twittered or blogged:) i did miss it eventually but i knew i needed a break. i needed space and time to think away from the computer. sometimes as much as i enjoy it, keeping up with it all can be overwhelming. like you i appreciated the silence more and the time to listen and pray. when i came back i was ready and refreshed. i’m glad you are back because i appreciate your encouraging words!
You are so sweet! Breaks are good – but like you I always enjoy coming back to it. I have my weekly break scheduled, and now I’m thinking of a longer break once per month (like a weekend). Just recently I found “Social Oomph” which allows you to schedule tweets. It is a great way to turn off the chatter, but still promote your posts (or re-posts).
Interesting points! I will have to think about the twitter vs. Facebook thoughts. I haven’t done much with my Facebook page.
I happen to love both – and find each important in my life!
Lately, I’ve been really convicted of the time spent doing the social media thing, and I know in part it’s because as a stay-at-home mom (literally, haven’t gone anywhere since Monday, with a sick baby this week!), it’s a nice connection to friends. But I’m inpsired by your post to take a little more of a deliberate break to see what could be accomplished! And I agree, it’s a great way to stay connected, so I’ll for sure keep on…. although I really can’t figure out Twitter….
I hear you Shannon – and I love that social media does connect us. When I had my youngest, I was home – so much, and felt alone. Twitter, and chatting with friends there, really brightened my day. It kept me sane (also nice that people are on there at 2 AM, when you really feel alone!) Plus, since I live so far from my family, I love that Facebook allows me to keep up.
All in all – I love it! The break taught me that it is good to turn it off from time to time!!
I will follow you Jamie!! I love Twitter…for the above stated reasons!
For the record, I remember thinking recently that I hadn’t “seen” Stacey much lately. 😉 But you are right, most times we are not missed. And yes, that’s humbling. Thankfully He never forgets us or forsakes us. Love to you sweet online friend!
You did miss me!!! And I know that I am so grateful for social media and blogging, because friend, that is HOW I met you!!! Can’t wait to SEE you in October!
And amen and amen – He never loses site of us!
This is a great post! 🙂 … and my goodness, I consider you a blog GURU!!!! If you are a ‘preschool blogger’, I’m a ‘cradle roll blogger’ HA!
Have a great day! … and glad you’re back
Melanie
I have personally never tried this, but I think it very well could be beneficial for me. I spend a lot of time on media. For example, when I get home from school, the first thing I do is check my email, check my Facebook, check my Google Reader, and comment on my favorite blogs. That can take a lot of time! I think it can be a time waster, but social media is very important in our lives these days.
I periodically take a break from Twitter, Facebook and the like and it breaks my heart when no one notices (yes, I like to think that I’m as much a part of peoples’ lives as they are mine). But, you know, I do enjoy the silence and the peace of just being still and listening to God and to my heart.
I think you have the right idea Daenel to take breaks. You just have to turn off the noise at times! Thanks for chiming in. I always love your comments!
Last spring I had it with facebook and not only took a break but completely deleted my account. In January I began to realize how much I missed that way of connecting with friends and family (I don’t live close to my family either) and whether I liked it or not, it’s a convenient (and fun…most of the time) way to keep up with people I care about. So I’m back on and for the most part I’m glad I am.
Twitter…still on the fence with that one. I just came back from a tweet break and something just feels off to me. Maybe it’s just not for me. But if not for twitter I may not have been introduced to you and so many other wonderful ladies! It’s a blessing for sure, but can also be a curse when it distracts me from what is important.
All that to say, I do think breaks are good, especially when we see that social media is taking focus away from those people right in front of us. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Stacey. Very timely for me.
I’m never missed – I just thought it was my personality! ;p But yes – it is amazing to see how quickly you are replaced by a new hashtag. Maybe we all have attention deficit. SQUIRREL!! I deleted my twitter account – and I normally had 70-80 pageviews, it went down to 10. TEN!!! I was amazed at the driving force behind twitter.
It has also created some beautiful friendships – I took the initiative to take the friendship offline and we now talk and text via phone. But the majority – remind me I’m just a vapor!
(so glad you took a social media break but still spent time sharing your morning readings — thank you!)
My preschool blogging buddy – I miss your tweets, which always bring a smile! But, I understand!!!
I recently fasted from Twitter for Lent. I was actually hesitant to get back on it again. When I did, it seemed that everything was just the same as when I had left. I am not on Facebook, but I know what you mean about it being a distraction.
Twitter is a bit like the “Enegizer Bunny” it keeps going and going and going….” 🙂
I just came across your blog via last Tuesday’s Good Morning Girls post. Other than regular participation in the social media craze, I’ve never taken on a hobby either. But I must say the idea of blogging fascinates, challenges and scares me more than a little too! To honestly express myself through the written word satisfies me beyond words. On the other hand, what little I think I know about anything keeps me from putting myself out there in true blog form. I wouldn’t even know where to begin. Should I choose to take a leap of faith, where can I register for this preschool you speak of anyway?
I prayed about blogging for about 1 year – I was in the same boat you are right now! Once I started, I found it to be such a great fit for me! I would encourage you to pray about it and see what God has in store for you!
And yes, preschool bloggers are always welcome here! Let me know if I can help you get started!
I adore social media. But sometimes I have GOT to turn it off!
Oh, thanks so much for stopping by! I really loved your post @incourage today!
I love this article. I did the same thing during the holidays (turned it off). Thanks and I really appreciate your site with all the wonderful info. and encouragement for mommies. As a mother of 7, I need it.