As you may have read, my intentions for 2019 include taking a deliberate time each week to step away from social media. I'm actually proud to admit I'm old enough to remember a time before Facebook, waaay before Instagram, and let's be serious, I still barely know how to use Twitter (although, I will keep trying).
It's cliché, but man, life was so much more simple! It was bad enough some of us were wearing Mom jeans and hadn't learned how to blend our Cover Girl foundation from our face into our neck (or find the right color), but we didn't have social media blaring in our face how we were supposed to look.
As a fitness professional, it's my job to help others feel the best about themselves. But, do we even know what that's supposed to look like anymore? We know that SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and timely) goals work the best for many of us, especially when it comes to fitness. Look at that R - Relevant. Are your goals relevant to where YOU are and what is important to YOU or what's important to everyone else? Are we wanting to feel OUR best or what the world says should be our best? Are we setting goals that are attainable for US... or for that blogger you follow? Think about it. Seriously.
Now, as women (and men) we are subjected not just how we look, but so much more. It's all encompassing. And, honestly, a little suffocating. It's how our spouse should look, or our home, or our baby... what kind of car we drive, what kind of clothes and jewelry we wear, who we hang out with, where we go for vacation. It's overwhelming!
I don't want to beat the social media timeout to death, but I think it can be so destructive. It's a double edged sword - as a small business, social media is a lifeline for me. As a human, it can be a time and soul suck.
What can you get in exchange for setting aside your phone for awhile and tuning in to what's right in front of you - your family, your friends, hobbies you love, the joy of listening to music or taking a walk with a clear mind.
What have I learned in the last two weeks? My weekends have felt much longer and much more full. My time with my husband feels so much more connected, my work time feels much more productive and creative. I feel much more in tune to my mind. The 48 hours I step away from social media lets me start Monday will a light mind and heart and guess what? I feel zero need to hop on and start scrolling through all of the things I "missed".
Connection is crucial to our human survival and keeping our minds healthy. Where are you missing connections? Maybe social media isn't taking your time away from connecting - maybe it's television or an unhealthy friendship. I encourage you to really look at where your extra time is going and what it's taking away from your life. I promise what you gain will be priceless.
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