That was the last picture I uploaded to my beloved Instagram.
It may sound lame, but I felt prompted to give up all social media for Lent this year.
In previous years I’ve given up food. You can read about that here and here and here.
Food has always been the thing that seems to cut the deepest and I certainly don’t think I’ve overcome all of my food-related crap, but God has graciously delivered me from a lot of the hold it had on me. I’m really grateful for that :)
The idea of giving up social media was more intimidating than I’d like to admit.
I’m an information junkie AND I suffer from FOMO.
Fear
Of
Missing
Out
So social media is kind of like my crack.
It’s unfortunate because so much of it is stupid, meaningless crap.
My friend Donna posted a funny status a while back saying something to the effect of, “I missed out on so much after not being on Facebook and Twitter for 5 hours, said no one ever!”
It’s true.
If I have a super busy day and I’m away from social media for a long stretch, I usually look forward to settling into the couch with my phone to furiously get “all caught up” only to discover that I really didn’t miss anything.
Yet I’m constantly tuned into what’s happening.
Checking my phone a gazillion times a day.
While I’m waiting for Grace to pee, while I’m brushing my teeth (that 2 minute timer on the Sonic Care is long, ok?!) and anytime I’m just sitting around.
It’s not good.
It’s noise in my life that is surely keeping me from seeing things around me. From hearing God’s whispers and from being fully engaged in my real life.
About a year ago I started taking a social media sabbath every Sunday.
It’s been good for my soul.
I start almost every Sunday a little twitchy.
Out of habit, I want to grab my phone right away, then I realize it’s my Sabbath.
Mid-day I usually feel a little better and more peaceful.
By evening my heart is quiet and I’m grateful for the time away from it all.
I read my Bible and other books more on Sundays. I am less selfish which is crazy to me, but I think I get irritable when I want to be engaging in social media and something in my real life interrupts me.
It’s embarrassing to even type this out.
To see how dependent I’ve become on all of it. How addicted even.
Another blogger mentioned something one time about the Bermuda Triangle of Social Media.
Scrolling through Facebook until she was fully updated, then moving over to Twitter to do the same and then Instagram. After getting “caught up” on Instagram, enough time had passed that there was new info on Facebook and the cycle begins again.
I’VE SO BEEN THERE.
And for what?
So I can immediately know what everyone has eaten for each meal and how they side politically and what soapboxes they shout from?
Is that honestly important?
More important than feeling God’s presence and hearing His whispers?
No.
A resounding no.
It’s my hope and prayer that this 40 days free of all social media will draw me closer to my Savior and will free me from this addiction.
I’d like to re-enter the world of social media with a new heart and a new perspecitve.
In the meantime, I’ve deleted all the apps from my phone as a safeguard against sneaking peeks.
Look at that empty bottom row.
It feels oddly refreshing to be disconnected.
Ask me again in a week and I may be singing a different tune about all this. Lol
Do you participate in Lent? If so, what did you decide to give up?
P.S. I have a couple of automated programs that Facebook and Tweet my blog posts, so you may see those over the next 40 days, but it’s not me cheating. Swearsies.
Jerry Nakatani says
Thanks for your great recipes and insight great life stories and enjoy your break!
Rebecca says
Jerry thanks so much to YOU for all of your positive feedback on the blog! I shouted out to you on Facebook a while back because you’re one of my most encouraging readers and I’ve never even met you. Thank you for taking the time to like and comment on my posts!
Can I ask how you found out about my blog?
Jennifer @ Also Known As...the Wife says
I couldn’t decide on what to give up for Lent this year. I feel bad about it but I’m currently locked in the middle of a crisis over whether or not I really want to practice Catholicism anymore. I do still abide by the no meat on Fridays rule so there’s something.
I also feel so much freer when I haven’t been within fingertips’ reach of my phone or computer for a whole day. I hope you enjoy your time off.
Penny says
Golly!!… and just when i was figuring out how to find your blog AND comment !!!..so can what i ‘give up for Lent’ be Rebecca’s blog?????????? hmmmmmm…somehow i don’t think that will be what God is saying to me… :)…Blessings to you!!… and love!!
Rebecca says
Well the good news is that I’m not giving up blogging for lent! Just social media (Facebook, twitter, instagram and pinterest) I’m so happy you figured out how to read and comment on my blog! It makes my day every time I see a comment from you :)