Social Media Sabbatical, Week One: Problems.

There are two problems I’m having with blogging about my social media sabbatical.

The first problem is the Biblical prohibition about talking about your fasting. Whenever I think about that prohibition, I think about a certain guy who attended college with me. Let’s call him Matt (because that was his name). I distinctly remember Matt in the cafeteria, loudly announcing to anyone within shouting distance that he was NOT EATING today, that he was FASTING. He made this announcement while carrying a tray full of multiple glasses of juice, chocolate milk, and a milkshake. I don’t want to be that guy.

The other problem I’m having with blogging about this sabbatical comes from a school of thought that a friend of mine calls the “at least you don’t have brain cancer” mindset. This mindset is the idea that if anyone else, anywhere in the world might have a harder time at life than you do, you shouldn’t complain/discuss/express any emotion whatsoever regarding your situation, because at least you don’t have brain cancer. I have often wondered whether this mindset, upon meeting someone with brain cancer, would then come up with a new “worst case” scenario, so that even the person with brain cancer would have no reason to complain. I try really hard not to subscribe to this mindset, but sometimes I succumb.

Now you know why I’m having trouble talking about my social media sabbatical. So now I’ll try to talk about it, anyway.

The first week has gone pretty well. I removed Twitter and Facebook from my browser bar and from the home page of my phone. My fingers get itchy sometimes when I pick up my phone and realize I’m looking for something that isn’t there. Occasionally, I feel strangely lonely. I also feel that in some way, I’ve lost my “voice.” I’ve been having these online conversations with people who affirm and engage with my writing, and without that social aspect of writing, I’m not sure what I have to say. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but I am trying to figure it all out.

I have also realized how encouraging social media is to my work and intellectual life. I have an online community that shares links, quotes, help, and feedback. That community is helping me overcome my “imposter syndrome,” has encouraged me to submit papers to conferences, and has helped me realize that I’m part of the community (not an outsider) and that I have something to say that people want to hear. That’s a good thing, and I’ve missed it this week.

I’ve realized that social media does, on occasion, take me away from my family. I need to be down on the floor playing with my kids more that I am checking my phone for status updates. I want to marvel at my nursing baby rather than be distracted by emails. As I mentioned last week, I want to be present. I’m trying. It’s something I need to practice, and this social media sabbatical is helping me practice. I’ve had more fun with my kids this week than I have in a while. By the end of the six weeks, I hope to figure out what kind of balance works for me.

I’m also praying more. If you are interested, I’d recommend the YouVersion Bible website or smartphone app, along with the daily reading plan (within YouVersion) called “Lent for Everyone.” It has a daily reading from the book of Matthew, along with a devotional by N.T. Wright, a scholar and writer for whom I have much respect.

That’s week one. I’ll keep you posted.