My vision for Seeds & Spells is an evolving one. As a recovering perfectionist, unleashing something that isn’t quite complete is probably one of the harder things I’ve ever done. I keep reminding myself that if I don’t start somewhere, it’s likely I’ll never begin at all.
I recently decided to take a social media detox to focus my time and energy on this vision and allowing it to fully form. Along with finally feeling and seeing this vision take shape, there are several things I’ve become aware of through this detox that I feel are worth sharing.
Freedom.
I desire a place to write with more freedom and less competition. I’ve always used writing to express myself and share ideas, but I don’t find that social media platforms are the best outlet for me. Just like many others, I succumb to the constant battle of criticism and comparison on social media. I become overwhelmed by everything out there & begin to feel like what I’m saying or sharing isn’t good enough when it isn’t validated through likes and comments. A blog format feels like a better fit for me at this time. A place where my creative freedom has more room to run wild and I’m able to share thoughts, knowledge, and experience in a way that I find meaningful. Of course I still see the value in social media as a tool and I don’t intend on removing it from my life at this time, but I’m reevaluating my relationship with it and it’s role in sharing what I have to offer.
Create or Consume.
Next is the fact that it’s difficult for me to access my own thoughts and allow my creativity to flow when I’m overloaded with other people’s content and noise. Even through this brief time with social media resting on the back burner, I have found it easier to let the words flow without judgement or comparison. The voice inside my head is clearer and more confident and I find myself reaching for pen and paper more frequently to jot down ideas and little lightbulb moments as they come. I believe part of this is letting go of the idea that thoughts and moments are not valid or worthwhile if they’re not shared the instant they occur. Letting go of the need to share everything the moment it happens as well as the need for others to be aware of what we’re doing for it to matter. Keeping things for myself and allowing my writing & other works to keep evolving until I’m ready to share them. I felt a pressure and weight lift that has unblocked my creativity in a way that feels really profound.
Priorities.
The last nugget I would hope to share is the increase in time and energy I have found to allocate to other priorities in my life. It was almost like pushing a reset button in that aspect. Taking care of myself is a big priority for me as I work to fill up my energetic cup in order to create, give, and share. Self-care went from a buzz-worthy word in the back of my mind to something I was actively implementing and making time for in my life. The detox in itself was the first act of self care – stepping away from something that is toxic in your life is taking care of you. Allowing myself the freedom and time to write and express myself is self care. Keeping my house clean is self care. Going for a walk in the snow is self care. Focusing on learning how to meditate is self care. Nourishing myself is self care. None of these things really cost me any money, but I gave myself back time and energy when I exchanged time I spent on a negative habit with healthy ones.
Deep Work.
During this break, I happened upon the concept of ‘deep work’. It’s not a term I had heard before, but it made all the sense in the world given my current situation and realizations. The ‘a-ha’ here for me being that we constantly give in to distractions because it’s difficult to focus deeply and give all of our attention to one thing. Our brains become bored and our attention strays to checking e-mail, Facebook, etc.. We’re conditioned that productivity is the ultimate success and within that multi-tasking is a necessary component of maximizing our time.
I’m not an expert on the subject, so you can read more about the concept here and here if it interests you.
After all that, my final note is this. I’m trusting that I have knowledge that I’m passionate about sharing, and others will find of interest. I’m embracing this as a place where I don’t have to feel obligated say something profound within a limited character count all the time.
Letting go of the need for it to be anything specific, and just allowing it to begin.
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