Happy New Year, everyone! I'm going to share a little something with you about my social media hiatus and why I will do it again.
At the beginning of December, after 17 years, I left my job to make a slight career shift. Instead of starting my new role a few days or a week later, I decided a month of relaxation and rejuvenation suited me much better. I wanted to rest. Correction, I needed to rest, reset and take care of myself, and in prioritizing myself, I also chose to starve the distraction of social media by deactivating my accounts. Ok, I am no social media guru. I only had to deactivate 2 IG accounts, but it counts for something, right?
During this hiatus, I came to grips with the amount of time I spent scrolling, getting caught up in strangers' lives, and absorbing nonsense that found its way into my timeline. Being disconnected allowed me to be more intentional with what I did and focus on the vital things happening in my life. I read books (3 to be exact), decluttered my mind, started watching my list on Netflix and emptied the dishwasher while the dishes were still warm (#iykyk). Friends, I sat in coffee shops where they make fancy lattes and people-watched while writing my second book. What does this mean? It means I, Talisha A Matheson, went outside! (if you know me, you know if I venture out in the winter, I only do it for special people, special occasions and Homesense)
I also realized if we didn't live in a digital world and I wasn't determined to expand and grow professionally, I wouldn't return to social media. Still, if I plan on sipping on a freshly cracked coconut while writing and sitting on a beach somewhere in the Caribbean in the next 15 years, I need to endure the world of social media engagement for a little longer.
As I reflect on my month, I am surprised at how liberating the experience was, and even though I am still on a break, I look forward to the next.
Don't get me wrong, there are some great things on social media and some great info that we can research further, but there is the trap of spending too much time engaging with others while neglecting to engage with ourselves.
And with that thought, I have begun to do something most of us don't, and we often become irritated when asked too frequently. I have started the intentional task of asking myself Why. Why am I not blogging more consistently despite having content? Why am I not exercising my body as much as I exercise my mind? Why am I allowing a person's actions or inaction to alter my day? Why am I avoiding saying what I need to say? Why? Why? Why?
In early 2022 I wrote a blog called Be Intentional? I think this goes hand in hand with that post. Being intentional is one thing, but Why we are being intentional with this specific thing or person is the more significant question. So I ask you, Why? Why haven't you told them how you feel? (both good and bad) Why haven't you applied for that job? Why haven't you signed up for that course? Why haven't you told that person off? (lol) The list could go on, and it will, but what's important is that we ask the question and answer it with the same energy we had when avoiding it altogether.
So do yourself a favour and gain clarity by asking yourself the age-old question, Why.
Be Inspired!
(Photo by Absolom Robinson via Pexels)
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