Annamieka, an artist who works in our building, also took the month of June off of social media shortly after welcoming her baby daughter into the world. On our journey of intentional living, we asked her a few questions to gain more perspective on our collective social habits:
1. What motivated you to take your one-month long break from social media?
I found myself scrolling social media while nursing my newborn daughter and I realized that was not how I wanted to spend this precious time with her. When I thought about it a little more, I realized that I have been sharing things online in one form or another basically non-stop since I started blogging in 2014. That’s five years without a break. I realised that there was nothing in June obligating me to post, so why not take the entire month off? I am on maternity leave, after all. If I can’t take a break in the early days of new motherhood, when can I? So I did.
It has been really nice so far. I posted those “out of office” updates on Instagram, Facebook, and in all of the Facebook groups I moderate as an online art teacher. And then I deleted the apps from my phone. So far, I have not missed them one bit.
2. Did you set any parameters around the break? And if so, what are they?
I also gave myself an assignment to write and draw every day for the month of June while i’m off social media. I do my daily writing in a site called 750words.com which helps me track my progress and stay motivated. I draw in my sketchbook. And I am finding that it is really liberating to draw without the temptation to share it right away. For the past five years, I’ve been sharing so much of my artwork, right when it’s made, work when it’s still a work in progress and behind-the-scenes. It feels a rare time to let things simmer. Maybe I’ll make something interesting in my time away. Maybe not. But it sure feels nice to shake up the routine.