Ahhh this is a topic very close to my heart right now and motherhood has definitely had an impact on it for better and for worse. I don’t have the capacity to write everything I feel in this comment but I’m too constantly questioning what is a ‘heathy’ balance and trying and experimenting with what feels right. I think we are all in experimentation phase to be honest and I think just giving ourselves permission to let ourselves evolve with what feels right in the moment is the only way to truly find our way with it. I do hope that it’s shifted dramatically by the time our kids are coming to it! Xxx
Definitely feels like we're in a similar space, it really is comforting knowing I'm not the only one wondering what to do for the best and feeling this push and pull with it (what feels like almost constantly). I agree, I think something has to change and I'm hopeful that in 10+ years time things will be clearer x
I’m also a yoga teacher sharing about rest, slowing down, living a more mindful life, trying to be a mindful Mum and role model phone behaviours to an 11 yr old - and so IG feels uncomfortable in relation to all of this. I’ve been considering Substack, but will it just be replacing one vice with another?! I was so hoping you’d have an answer at the end - haha! I know some mindfulness & yoga teachers NOT on socials who do very well purely through word of mouth. It is possible. Perhaps it’s more to do with our own needs of feeling seen. Our egos like the validation. We feel relevant. And of course, we can connect with and support more people this way. Bring more awareness to the importance and impact of presence, rest and regulation - AND so support more people to question their digital habits too. Sorry that got rather long! Thanks for the great post x
Oh absolutely, my ego thrives from social media and it's something I constantly have to check-in with! I think for many of us in this space it really feels like we're examining how we can market ourselves in a mindful way, and be creative without letting the algorithms and platforms impact us too much! x
I’m seeing this topic more and more. People who desire a slower intentional life who also enjoy sharing and building community around this, struggling to be present on platforms that ultimately feel draining or unintentional. It feels a counterintuitive pursuit. I struggle with this as well. I wrote a Substack called “The Beaver in the Creative River” on how I believe true creatives could change the way we consume and I believe that entirely. I mean, look at Substack! A prime example of how the desires of the people and the will to see something better come of it, can create a place for those who hunger for the same.
Thanks for sharing, this is so true! I've been on Substack for 2 years now, and one thing I have noticed is that with the introduction of notes there's definitely this sense of social media to it that can be likes driven - I'm hoping it doesn't become another space that feels draining!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I run a product based business so use social media as a means of connecting with my customers and enjoy that side of it. I schedule my posts once a week and check in the morning after I’ve done my emails if there are any comments or messages to reply to. I don’t do video because in my heart I just like a good photo, plus this is all I have time for. I think I could put more time and grow my Instagram followers but ultimately it’s not worth the cost, of my time or mental health. I did used to question this but had an epiphany as my son is starting secondary school next year. He won’t be having a smart phone. I had this strong thought that if I could give both my children one piece of advice (and they’d follow jt 🤣) it would be not to bother with social media. But to live in real life, have real connections and take that nagging worry of comparison out of their lives. Of course they will have to find their own way but for as long as possible we will be no smart phones and no social media. I thought if I want this for my children, why don’t I care for myself in this way. I have so much more peace with it all now and just take it for what it is. Of course a very different business from you in that I am product based. I think you are right in that you will have a clearer idea once you enter your next wonderful chapter of motherhood 💙
So interesting hearing your perspective on this, thanks for sharing! I'd love to get to a place where I'm not really relying on it at all and it can all be about creativity - if I choose to show up on those platforms at all, but, we will see!
So interesting! I am hardly ever on instagram now but keep a presence there for my jewellery business. It is Substack where I found it challenging as similarly, the more time we spend the more results we see - but at a huge time and energy cost. You’re right that the key is boundaries, either around time we spend or noticing how much energy, mental and emotional we are giving. Because otherwise it is t slow at all! Thanks for this lovely piece!
it's so true, those patterns of behaviour can pass over to any platform so easily. I'm starting to notice it more with Substack now notes is becoming a thing
Some brilliant questions to ponder there Jodie. They're questions I'm often chewing over too.... I wonder if the very fact were conscious and aware of them means that we're being mindful in *some* capacity? The answer is always going to change as our needs and capacity change too so as long as we can honour that then I dont think we're doing too badly...
This is so relatable! I’ve been on socials for more than half my life, and becoming a mom has shifted so much - campaigning for Smartphone Free Childhood has made me look deeper into my own habits. It’s been a slow untethering and using the One Sec app has been a massive help to short circuit behaviors. Here’s to creating space for deeper & more meaningful conversations 💕
I do believe there can be a balance found, of course this means something different to everyone. For me, it’s not having social media on my phone and only posting or engaging via desktop. It allows me to keep a distance but still feel some some connection to other artists/friends.
I am a new mum and just had my son at the beginning of the month! In this new phase of life it’s really encouraged me to slow down. I found while breastfeeding I would be doomscrolling on the apps and ignoring the time limit I allowed for myself. I want to be more present for him, so I asked my husband to be the password holder for my screen time usage. I just started that this week and I am looking forward to seeing how this helps me slow down and be more present with my son whilst we are still living in the newborn bubble!
Ah man, this. I don't have my whole career based on socials or on creating in that way but i have really had to look my own boundaries and my own relationship this past year or so regarding what i share and how much time i dedicate to it. I have always loved the communities and friendships i have built through sharing my words in some sense-- bloglovin(!!!), over on Instagram, a website even and now here and i just have to be honest and know that i just don't do too well when the scales swing too much to the digital world. I have to have more real life(?) and less screen time to do well and to thrive. But that dopamine rush and that connection are hard to tear myself away from. It's a constant struggle it really is! Thank you for sharing this xxx
Thank you for sharing this Jodie! I also have wondered how slow-living and social media can exist in the same space. It's one of the reasons I started writing on Substack...but I am quickly realizing that in order to grow or be discovered, you need to spend time on the app just the rest of them. I guess the difference with Substack is that it involves more reading and a lot less photo/video, which I do think helps my brain.
At this point in my life, I am not sure if there is a world where even significantly reducing time on social media totally negates its effects. I'm wondering if it really is all or nothing?
I am currently on Instagram and Facebook, TikTok feels like true junk food for the brain. I guess I don't want to miss out. My husband has sworn off all of them and has never felt better (although he engages in online penny-slots, which to me is the exact same thing as a feed-refresh).
I would love to keep this conversation going! We were never given a handbook on how to navigate the crazy world of being online. I don't think anyone thought it would turn into this!
Ahhh this is a topic very close to my heart right now and motherhood has definitely had an impact on it for better and for worse. I don’t have the capacity to write everything I feel in this comment but I’m too constantly questioning what is a ‘heathy’ balance and trying and experimenting with what feels right. I think we are all in experimentation phase to be honest and I think just giving ourselves permission to let ourselves evolve with what feels right in the moment is the only way to truly find our way with it. I do hope that it’s shifted dramatically by the time our kids are coming to it! Xxx
Definitely feels like we're in a similar space, it really is comforting knowing I'm not the only one wondering what to do for the best and feeling this push and pull with it (what feels like almost constantly). I agree, I think something has to change and I'm hopeful that in 10+ years time things will be clearer x
I’m also a yoga teacher sharing about rest, slowing down, living a more mindful life, trying to be a mindful Mum and role model phone behaviours to an 11 yr old - and so IG feels uncomfortable in relation to all of this. I’ve been considering Substack, but will it just be replacing one vice with another?! I was so hoping you’d have an answer at the end - haha! I know some mindfulness & yoga teachers NOT on socials who do very well purely through word of mouth. It is possible. Perhaps it’s more to do with our own needs of feeling seen. Our egos like the validation. We feel relevant. And of course, we can connect with and support more people this way. Bring more awareness to the importance and impact of presence, rest and regulation - AND so support more people to question their digital habits too. Sorry that got rather long! Thanks for the great post x
Oh absolutely, my ego thrives from social media and it's something I constantly have to check-in with! I think for many of us in this space it really feels like we're examining how we can market ourselves in a mindful way, and be creative without letting the algorithms and platforms impact us too much! x
I’m seeing this topic more and more. People who desire a slower intentional life who also enjoy sharing and building community around this, struggling to be present on platforms that ultimately feel draining or unintentional. It feels a counterintuitive pursuit. I struggle with this as well. I wrote a Substack called “The Beaver in the Creative River” on how I believe true creatives could change the way we consume and I believe that entirely. I mean, look at Substack! A prime example of how the desires of the people and the will to see something better come of it, can create a place for those who hunger for the same.
Thanks for sharing, this is so true! I've been on Substack for 2 years now, and one thing I have noticed is that with the introduction of notes there's definitely this sense of social media to it that can be likes driven - I'm hoping it doesn't become another space that feels draining!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this. I run a product based business so use social media as a means of connecting with my customers and enjoy that side of it. I schedule my posts once a week and check in the morning after I’ve done my emails if there are any comments or messages to reply to. I don’t do video because in my heart I just like a good photo, plus this is all I have time for. I think I could put more time and grow my Instagram followers but ultimately it’s not worth the cost, of my time or mental health. I did used to question this but had an epiphany as my son is starting secondary school next year. He won’t be having a smart phone. I had this strong thought that if I could give both my children one piece of advice (and they’d follow jt 🤣) it would be not to bother with social media. But to live in real life, have real connections and take that nagging worry of comparison out of their lives. Of course they will have to find their own way but for as long as possible we will be no smart phones and no social media. I thought if I want this for my children, why don’t I care for myself in this way. I have so much more peace with it all now and just take it for what it is. Of course a very different business from you in that I am product based. I think you are right in that you will have a clearer idea once you enter your next wonderful chapter of motherhood 💙
So interesting hearing your perspective on this, thanks for sharing! I'd love to get to a place where I'm not really relying on it at all and it can all be about creativity - if I choose to show up on those platforms at all, but, we will see!
So interesting! I am hardly ever on instagram now but keep a presence there for my jewellery business. It is Substack where I found it challenging as similarly, the more time we spend the more results we see - but at a huge time and energy cost. You’re right that the key is boundaries, either around time we spend or noticing how much energy, mental and emotional we are giving. Because otherwise it is t slow at all! Thanks for this lovely piece!
it's so true, those patterns of behaviour can pass over to any platform so easily. I'm starting to notice it more with Substack now notes is becoming a thing
I ask myself this every day 🥹 Thank you so much!
That is question worth millions! I feel you so much. Trying to figure it out myself!
It's such strange ground to navigate, its been on my mind and something I've been coming back to for years now 😅
Some brilliant questions to ponder there Jodie. They're questions I'm often chewing over too.... I wonder if the very fact were conscious and aware of them means that we're being mindful in *some* capacity? The answer is always going to change as our needs and capacity change too so as long as we can honour that then I dont think we're doing too badly...
This is so relatable! I’ve been on socials for more than half my life, and becoming a mom has shifted so much - campaigning for Smartphone Free Childhood has made me look deeper into my own habits. It’s been a slow untethering and using the One Sec app has been a massive help to short circuit behaviors. Here’s to creating space for deeper & more meaningful conversations 💕
I do believe there can be a balance found, of course this means something different to everyone. For me, it’s not having social media on my phone and only posting or engaging via desktop. It allows me to keep a distance but still feel some some connection to other artists/friends.
I am a new mum and just had my son at the beginning of the month! In this new phase of life it’s really encouraged me to slow down. I found while breastfeeding I would be doomscrolling on the apps and ignoring the time limit I allowed for myself. I want to be more present for him, so I asked my husband to be the password holder for my screen time usage. I just started that this week and I am looking forward to seeing how this helps me slow down and be more present with my son whilst we are still living in the newborn bubble!
Ah man, this. I don't have my whole career based on socials or on creating in that way but i have really had to look my own boundaries and my own relationship this past year or so regarding what i share and how much time i dedicate to it. I have always loved the communities and friendships i have built through sharing my words in some sense-- bloglovin(!!!), over on Instagram, a website even and now here and i just have to be honest and know that i just don't do too well when the scales swing too much to the digital world. I have to have more real life(?) and less screen time to do well and to thrive. But that dopamine rush and that connection are hard to tear myself away from. It's a constant struggle it really is! Thank you for sharing this xxx
Thank you for sharing this Jodie! I also have wondered how slow-living and social media can exist in the same space. It's one of the reasons I started writing on Substack...but I am quickly realizing that in order to grow or be discovered, you need to spend time on the app just the rest of them. I guess the difference with Substack is that it involves more reading and a lot less photo/video, which I do think helps my brain.
At this point in my life, I am not sure if there is a world where even significantly reducing time on social media totally negates its effects. I'm wondering if it really is all or nothing?
I am currently on Instagram and Facebook, TikTok feels like true junk food for the brain. I guess I don't want to miss out. My husband has sworn off all of them and has never felt better (although he engages in online penny-slots, which to me is the exact same thing as a feed-refresh).
I would love to keep this conversation going! We were never given a handbook on how to navigate the crazy world of being online. I don't think anyone thought it would turn into this!