Rest & Social Media
2025 has not exactly started off with a bang. My husband and I both welcomed in the new year with severe coughs, congestion, and in my husbands case, a bout with walking pneumonia.
Sickness aside, I had planned to kick the year off quietly. I wanted to take advantage of the winter season and hunker down, catch up on some reading, work on a couple indoor projects and basically take a cue from nature and rest.
So why then, when we returned from spending a couple wonderful weeks in Arizona with Chris’ mom, did I feel so unsettled and frustrated with my “lack of progress”? I had done precisely what I aimed to do… a lot of reading, a lot of resting, and have nearly finished a large project of painting and rearranging our loft and living space. And…I made my first county visit for Iowa’s99. (See previous blog post.)
Turns out, that idea that comparison is the thief of joy, is incredibly accurate. I have enjoyed nearly every minute of this new year, minus those sick days, of course. I have made progress on things that are important to me outside of my photography. I got to spend some wonderful days enjoying beautiful weather and hanging out with my husband. I’ve had time to read and cat nap and even write a little. Yet, it only takes scrolling on social media for a few minutes for me to begin to put all that good aside and question myself.
I know several people who have removed social media from their devices. A couple have deleted their social media altogether. I don’t think I’m quite there but realize that reigning in the little bit of time I do spend “doom scrolling” is probably wise.
I have some opinions about the danger and damage caused by these platforms but I also am a firm believer in taking responsibility for how and why I use them, and allowing everyone else to do the same. Understanding that they can affect my self-confidence and steal my joy so quickly is concerning to me. Knowing that I have a project in the works that may depend on these platforms for awareness and promotion is…well, a little unsettling.
Truth is, keeping these available to me is a choice. I say that it’s because I want to keep in touch with friends but what’s stopping me from reaching out via phone or sending a letter. Seems far more personal anyway. And having them available to promote and share my photography is important but there are ways in which I can do that without spending more time than needed. As a matter of fact, I have an hour-glass (or more appropriately a three-minute glass) and a rather obnoxious timer within my line of vision right now. Why not use them to help be accountable?
March is knocking and I know the next few months are going to be full of walks and hikes and photo days, family events and get-to-gethers, gardening adventures and sourdough calamities, pickle-ball and bike rides and dinner with friends. I’m grateful for these weeks of rest and easing into the year and I’m grateful for all the blessings this year still holds. I am making the promise to myself to not let social media take away another second of joy from those blessings.
How about you? Are you making changes in how you use social media? Are you deleting it from your devices. Or is it something you enjoy and have no intention of changing a thing about it? Would love to hear your thoughts or stories on how social media impacts your life. Feel free to comment below or email me at: tina.fencerowphotography@gmail.com. My only ask is that you keep comments respectful.
Photos:
Section 1: Painting project - loft library and living room
Section 2: Fountain Hills, AZ
Section 3: Papago Park, Hole in the Rock, Sedona, AZ
Section 4: Sunrise/Sunset, Mesa, AZ
