Weekend retreat

April 25, 2021

Reflection: Social media offers an illusion of energy.

Today, I’m grateful for: a break

Challenge: Try a break from social media.

I was reunited with my baby boy this morning complete with extra long hugs and kisses. It was a sweet ending to a nice, long weekend away.

As I reflect on our time away, I am reminded of many lessons. Things like the value of uninterrupted quality time, how much I enjoy reading, and the joys of relaxing in the sun. And I have also learned new things like the fact that “rest” isn’t just for sleeping, that quality time as parents looks different and requires more effort than it used to, and the incredibly impactful importance of unplugging.

I think somewhere between the challenges of parenthood and the shitstorm that has been the last year in America, I fell into a mindless habit of escaping to social media. But I know full-well that it doesn’t nourish me. It doesn’t fill any void. And any potential “like” or “connection-driven” dopamine-hit often proves to be short-lived and is quickly overridden by the anxieties induced by the divisiveness, social gaslighting and general lack of truth that has littered our social platforms.

I made a commitment to not use social media for the duration of our little getaway. No mindless scrolling, no late night phone-fueled wind-downs. Just me, myself and I (and my husband) alone with ourselves. And it was even more refreshing than I expected.

I’ve been trying to reflect and articulate what exactly it is about social media (or the lack there of) that contributes to the significance of its impact. And I keep coming back to one word: draining. Or said another way, the illusion of positive energy.

I think when I engage in social media, I do so in search of joy, or love or connection or hope....all things that give me energy and add positivity to my life. And yet, I often leave these platforms feeling drained and tired, regretting the minutes I’ve spent scrolling for reasons I’m not sure of. Of course, I do find joy from it in pockets, but I question if the original purpose and value gleaned from these experiences in the past has since micropivoted (without even realizing it) leading us to a social media-addicted state that instead drains us more than it nourishes.

What am I taking from this little social media hiatus? A renewed strength that I don’t need my phone for everything. A new challenge for myself to be more conscious of flipping open the app and mindless scrolling. And a reminder that my world (and nobody else’s) is going to fall apart if I’m on social media for a few days (or more!)

All-in-all, our little parents’ getaway weekend road trip was a success, and I wish we’d done it sooner. It was a much-needed break that offered refreshment and retreat, and I am so grateful.

XO

SS