These holidays and kids home from school keep me away from social media, except for short spurts here and there. And I’m not gonna lie: I’ve been thankful for the excuse.
Every other day I question if my time devoted to the blog {twitter, facebook, etc} is what I’m supposed to be doing. And if it’s not, I pray God slams the door tight on my desire to keep going. But He doesn’t slam the door. He closes it a bit from time to time, and that is my cue to step back. It strengthens and encourages my soul to do so. But then He opens it wide again and my heart feels the pull to keep on keepin’ on.
While I genuinely enjoy interacting with other folks via social media, I easily start to care too much about how my words come across to you, especially in regards to twitter and facebook. If I’m getting my groove going there and hear Cricketville in return, I feel like a hyperactive labrador retriever who just walked into a room full of cats. I’m all spastic in that labrador-y way, jumping up and down. While my tail wags ninety to nothing, I say to the cats,
“Hey, you guys wanna play?”
And those cats lazily look my direction and with a swish of their tails reply in that cat-like way,
“Ya know, we’re just. not. that. into you.”
When this starts to happen, it usually means I need to step away from the social media. Will you join me hereand share how you manage to keep a healthy perspective in all things social media?
I’ve been feeling that tug away from blogging and social media after the holidays too. I felt “free” when I wasn’t on my computer so much (in fact I didn’t open it up for almost a whole week!) Not sure what that means for my blog, especially as I’m about to start work as a pediatrician in a few weeks. There won’t be as much free time. I derive a lot of pleasure from blogging and sharing recipes, but I also don’t want to be on my computer when I could be spending time with my kids. It’s a tug of war, huh? 🙂 This isn’t very helpful, but thanks for letting me just write out my thoughts here. I always love reading your posts, even when I don’t comment!!
Oh my goodness, starting work as a pediatrician!? Amazing, amazing.
Praying right now that whatever God plans for your future, may you step into it with confidence and peace. Love you, Maura!
Love you too! BTW, the image of a spastic labrador in a room full of cats just cracked me up 🙂 Praying that your time away from social media would be fulfilling and restful!
You have spoken my thoughts…or written them. I’ve been wondering my purpose and feeling a pull to slow down. Maybe God is closing the door just a crack.
Maybe so, Lisa. Praying you hear Him speak His plans into your life clearly. Thankful for you…
I like reading about how you hear. Hmm…for me, it’s usually when, upon opening Facebook, the sight of the little red notifications thing stresses me out. The tension’s a good wake-up call. Oh, and then there are the times when I’m bored and my first instinct is to go online. I know something’s up when I choose FB over actual, in-person company…
My blogging for January is a photo a day – very few words. This is part of my search for my theme of “quiet” for 2013, and for time to re-group and plan. Time to listen, rather than speak. It is important to pull back once in awhile. Love to read what all you wonderful gals write – at times, though, I need to listen in on my own life…
Oh my glory. I nearly hyperventilated reading this post…because you have read my mail. My heart and now I understand…and I’m not alone! I asked someone the other day something along these very lines because I was frustrated about “not being taken seriously” after all I am a very serious writer! (who lives on the corner of delusion street and cricketville!) And then…I remember..oh yeah…I don’t write for that reason. I wasn’t called for that reason. I need to remember and trust what I remember. And here you are my dear, reminding me again. Bliss and Blessing on you. Thanks.
I never gauged whether or not I’ve needed to take a Social Media Time Out on this before. I like it! It makes so much sense. It applies to real life too! Whenever we are in in any type of interactions where we focus so much on their opinions and approval, that is the best indicator to step back and refocus our hearts on Jesus.