For lent, Jeff and I gave up all optional technology, which basically means we deleted social media and hid our remote control. During those forty odd days, we talked a lot about what we wanted our habits to look like come Easter, and it seems to us that we’re on to something good. Not much is going to change.
One major thing I’ve learned about myself is that I like my social media feed to look like a magazine. For a while I was on the “Make Social Media Real Again” campaign, but not anymore. When I think about how I use social media, specifically Instagram, I like that I’m scrolling through a feed perfectly curated to my tastes. I want great book recommendations, thoughtful captions, Trader Joe’s finds, recipe ideas, and home decor inspiration. Give me workouts I can do anywhere and fun activities to do with Lucy. Show me new restaurants in my area and encourage me to live and love well.
But I’m not going to start flipping through a magazine while I’m spooning applesauce into my child’s mouth or sitting next to Jeff in a movie theatre. I’m not going to pull it out of my purse while I stand in line at the grocery store or in between clients in my office. There are times and places for scrolling, and I want to make the most of them so I can feel good about my interaction with Instagram.
I heard these three questions the other day in relation to social media and I liked them a lot.
What for?
Why now?
What else?
What for?
Why am I opening Instagram? Am I looking for a few new recipes to spice up my meal plan for the week? Is it an escape I’m after? Connection? Inspiration?
Why now?
Am I sitting on the toilet hiding from my family for a few minutes during witching hour? Or am I just existing in the same room as my child instead of engaging with her. Am I taking an intentional 10 minute break to get the latest or have I been mindlessly scrolling for an hour to avoid doing the harder, more important thing?
What Else?
What else could I be doing? Could I open a cookbook I haven’t gone to in a while? Could I read a book or an actual magazine? Could I go outside or take a nap or write? Could I write a note to someone who’s been on my mind? Note, I’m not asking if I should be doing something else. That’s not the point. The question is what else I could be doing. And maybe I choose to do one of those other things, but maybe I don’t. Either way I don’t feel guilty.
Before You Scroll
What for?
Why now?
What else?