Thoughts on Deep Connection, Creativity and Social Media
"So many times it happens that we live our lives in chains,
and we never even know we have the key."
—The Eagles, Already Gone
Originally I thought I was going to write a cutsie email about how I randomly hit publish on a journal that's been ready to drop for over a year now. However in the process of doing that I ended up reaching out to a couple of close friends to see if they'd like to review it first and then I just found myself completely drained.
This has been happening a lot lately when I'm trying to do computer work for my online business it's starting to feel more and more heavy just as my in person business is starting to feel lighter and lighter.
The journal I released is called the Social Media Energetics Journal: Journaling Prompts on Modern Marketing for Spiritual Entrepreneurs. I wrote it originally in 2023 and to be completely honest when I was reviewing the work last week so I could hit publish I found it very confronting. 😮 Consequently, the past two weeks I have been once again reconsidering my relationship with social media…again.
I may be a rare breed but I rarely scroll social media, however it still completely drains me. 😩 I've gotten to where I don't mind posting when it feels authentic and inflow... that takes me no time. I don't overthink it and it's like no big deal.
But what I'm currently finding draining about social media is just the fact that I have messages piling up on nine different platforms. It takes me a significant amount of time each day or even each week to go through and check all of my messages. While I enjoy sweet and funny messages from friends, I’d rather talk to them on the phone or even text a bit than review a funny meme. You feel me?
So I've been pondering what truly feels like connection and deep relationship for me personally here are the things that come up:
- deep phone calls with my heartfelt friends
- deep conversations with my closest friends in my town
- thought-provoking conversation with other citizens who want to revitalize our community
- spending time in nature
- spending time on my yoga mat
- spending time in chanting or meditation feeling truly connected to God
Previously I had looked at social media through the lens of creativity. I was shocked when I noticed I had written in my own words,
“How crazy is it that after just 4 days of NOT POSTING I felt all this creative energy resurge into my heart? That’s insane… Yet four days without posting left me wanting to write and create more deeply! I had more energy for writing long-form posts, reading long-form content like books and thinking more deeply.”
Then last night I did something incredibly uncomfortable for me at this stage of my life. 😵💫 I went to the local Junior High basketball game. I sat with some friends and listened as they explained to me who each player was and how I knew their parents (talk about a quick way to feel old 😭). I was there three hours and to my surprise when I left, I wasn’t energetically drained.
Yet after sending a few emails or making 2 social media posts I’m exhausted lately…
That night on the phone I told my boyfriend I could easily let go of social media altogether and be perfectly satisfied, because my community is so deep with true, meaningful connections and people I genuinely enjoy talking with. I can’t even walk down the street without stopping to talk to a neighbor. This is what connection was meant to be! This is how it was truly designed.
So why do we give our power, our happiness and our sanity to social media so much?
We know the statistics.
We know science proves it’s terrible for our brains.
Yet we keep doing it.
Even when we don’t enjoy using it personally, we use it to promote our business.
I think there is a better way.
I KNOW there is a better way, because my clients who get the most ROI from their marketing efforts are NOT using social media at all. I’ve seen the results again and again. 📈 ⚡
So what’s my point?
Well, I think I just wanted to talk about my innate desire for true and meaningful connection. And how that goes hand in hand with my desire to create deeper. It just so happens that for me, something I can give up to accomplish both of those things, is Instagram. Yes, Instagram, specifically, is the one that feels draining right now.
This isn’t me announcing a social media hiatus. This is just me. Just sharing my inner thoughts with you. Posing questions to get you thinking too.
Here are some prompts from the Social Media Energetics Journal:
✍️Try looking at your relationship with Instagram through the lens of a romantic relationship. If Instagram were a guy/girl you’ve been dating, how would you describe your relationship? What would that relationship look like and feel like for you?
✍️When it comes to marketing your business (if you have one), where are you seeing the most return on your efforts (ROE)?
✍️In your present life, where are you feeling the most authentic, genuine connection? This could be a connection with yourself, God or others.
>>If you want to check out the full journal and order your copy, you can do so here. It’s now on Kindle and Amazon paperback.
✨Focusing on fostering deeper connection and community,
Haley Hoover
Owner, The Sparkling Hippie, LLC.
The Social Media Energetics Journal is Ready for You
Thoughtful journaling prompts and musings about the energy of social media.
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