In honor of spring, a list of some things making me happy right now:
Finley curling up next to me during my quiet mornings.
Hailey and Kaitlyn playing the piano. As someone with zero musical talent it amazes me how quickly they’ve learned and how they’ll just go practice because “it’s fun.”
The library. I’ve been utilizing the reserve option and finally got my hands on Flour, Water, Salt, Yeast. I secured the Tale of Sorcery (the third book in the spin off of Land of Stories) for Hailey, as well as some Encyclopedia Browns. We’re still working on finding what books excite Kaitlyn the most. She still prefer picture books on the human body more than most any other option.
Completing a couple more months in my family albums. This is how I make ours. I am SO behind. I’m currently in October of 2020. My kids love looking through these and they are such special keepsakes, so I’m determined to catch up. I could do one month a day, but I know I won’t, so I’m shooting for one month a week until I’m caught up.
Longer daylight hours. Sunshine is life!
Reading Harry Potter with popcorn and bubbly water. We are chapter 11 of The Deathly Hallows. The experience of reading these with them over the years will forever be one of my favorite memories of their childhood.
Researching which medicinal herb books to get and playing around with the idea of canning. You can put me back on the prairie with Ma Ingalls at any point and I wouldn’t complain.
Anticipation of seeing the ocean this weekend. It’s been… over a year? Two? I’m not sure, but I’m craving it. Sure, we’ll mostly be at the soccer field (tournament), but still… excited!
Cottage cheese. I’m having a moment. Only Good Culture though, because it’s the best.
Real life. Planting my seedlings, talking with friends, working out with David, evening walks as a family, quick and friendly exchanges with strangers at the store, group family text chains, researching curriculum, checking on the wildflower seeds I threw around, sitting on the porch listening to David play the guitar, snuggling with Kaitlyn, watching Hailey sketch…
And on that note…
I’m having a moment of being disenchanted with Instagram. Not for the people; I love the community I hang out with in that virtual space- so many lovely, interesting, engaging friends. But I’m disenchanted because it pulls me away from these real life moments that I’m really treasuring right now.
Working on picture albums lately has only highlighted what I already know, the years move fast. I love my life and the people in it and am one of those people that romanticizes and savors it. Instagram scrolling often leaves me feeling drained yet addicted. By contrast, living in the real world and blogging makes me feel peace and contentment.
I’m playing around with what to do with this acknowledgment. I don’t feel compelled to give it up, but my maybe finding a concrete way to take away away some of it’s priority in my life? I’ve also found muting accounts or unfollowing helpful lately.
I don’t have anything concrete on this front, but just something I’ve been noodling around. It’s not unusual for me to waver back and forth between sentiments on the subject, so I don’t have any real conclusions. But maybe experimenting with some potential solutions?
I am curious though… can you relate? Do you have Instagram? How much time do you spend on it? Afterwards, how do you feel?
And by comparison, what is something that makes you feel lit up inside? Just a thought to ponder as we head into the weekend… and if you’re up for sharing your thoughts with me in the comments… I’d love to read them.
Kelli says
We recently closed on our new house which has a full wrap around porch so sitting on the swing on the front porch imagining the future moments I’ll have with my girls lights me up! Also feeling the sun on my skin. We’ve had a long winter and spring has been cold and dreary as well so the rare sunny day is heaven to me.
As for Instagram before I quit I would delete the app from my phone and if I wanted to use it I had to reload it, sign in and then scroll which felt like a bigger decision of saying “yes this is how I want to spend my time right now”. It helped me cut down my time a lot but as you know it ultimately wasn’t enough for me. I had to say bye bye!
Enjoy your weekend! All your happy moments brought a smile to my face.
Laura says
I’ve been reading a lot about American teens and the correlations between social media and well being. Teaching doesn’t feel the same since lockdown/ Covid/ school shut downs. I still love teaching, but there has definitely been a shift in what seems to inspire and capture the attention of teenagers. Of course, all of this was building pre-Covid, but like many things the extended shut downs and isolation added fuel to the fire. Anyhow, I listening to this podcast yesterday- Why are American Teenagers so Sad and Anxious, and so much of what they are talking about I feel can also apply to adults.
https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/22/23036468/why-are-american-teenagers-so-sad-and-anxious
Afterwards, I made a mental list of pros and cons for social media use, and have been debating quitting it all, maybe at least for the summer. One part that really stuck with me is how reading a simple comment or meme on social media only takes a second, but when it is impactful, especially in a negative way, it can occupy so much more of your mental space, sometimes hours after the fact.
The thought of spending/ wasting time on social media over summer break when I’m home with my boys makes me feel anxious and a bit sad. I took huge strides when I quit my smartphone 4 years ago, and I was blown away by how many times my then 1 year old would stop and look at my face- things I never noticed when I was in my phone. But still, the laptop can be addicting and a similar time suck, and I’m thinking if I eliminated now also social media that would get me to a healthier balance that I’m seeking.
Brittany Dixon says
I’m sorry to hear teaching doesn’t feel the same, especially knowing what a great and passionate teacher you are for your kids. <3
As for social, I've played around with the same thing... maybe taking some time off in the summer and see how it makes me feel. The thought makes me a little anxious (and at the same time super excited), so maybe that highlights just how hooked on it I am. Always appreciate reading your thoughts, Laura!
Kathy says
I gave up Instagram and Poshmark during Lent. In the beginning I had to stop myself from tapping on (I did not delete the apps) but managed not to cave. Now that Lent is ever and Easter has come, I find I am still not getting on either app very often. Kind of nice, however, I know any social media outlet or even games can be such a time sucker. I started reading books more about a year ago and have really been enjoying it.
Since you mentioned a book about bread making, have you checked out Bread in 5 minutes a Day?
https://artisanbreadinfive.com/2013/10/22/the-new-artisan-bread-in-five-minutes-a-day-is-launched-back-to-basics-updated/ This link is the website but they have books too. Enjoy the beach! 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
Five minutes a day sounds super intriguing… clicking over now! 🙂
And thanks for sharing your IG experience. It’s really interesting to hear how I’m not the only one that it has such an impact on. It has me playing around with the idea of a hiatus to see how I feel. Or maybe just using it to share new posts? Something to think about for sure. Thanks!
Sammie says
This post was so sweet! Glad you’re finding all the joy in everyday life. I recently deleted Instagram and I have been immensely happier – I didn’t even know the toll it was taking on me until I got off for good! I have so much more time and I’m definitely a better mom and wife.
Currently lighting me up is my best friend and her family en route to visit!! We’ll have a packed house with 8 of us in 3 bedrooms and 1 bathroom but we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Brittany Dixon says
I hope you had a wonderful visit with your best friend! And thank you for your IG input. It’s really something I noodle around a lot.
Sarah says
I am not on any kind of social media besides LinkedIn (which my industry demands, but honestly I do nothing with my account besides post my resume and accept connections). I used to be majorly into social media and quit in 2015. I started an Instagram account at the end of last summer and deleted it by November. I did not find it to be a good use of my time. I didn’t feel good when I got off of it. I felt like I had wasted some of my life. I feel like you have been rumbling around not enjoying Instagram for a while. I highly suggest just getting off for a while. Great podcast recommendation on how to run a creative small business without Instagram here! https://nancyray.com/podcast/146
Brittany Dixon says
Going to listen to this today; thank you! I have heard from so many people that once they quit IG they didn’t miss it. It’s hard for me to imagine not having it, but I also crave the slower living of “old school” blogging, then going about living life through the day. Especially at an age when my kids are so observant. Thank you for your input, Sarah!
Stacey says
I always get your girls mixed up (sorry!), but my 7 year old daughter loves Ivy & Bean. We started the series out with me reading to her, but now she can read it TO ME 🙂
Brittany Dixon says
That’s so great!! I should try those. I remember reading one with H, so I’ll go digging through her shelf 🙂
Kristin says
I too grapple with how I feel about Instagram. Maybe two things are true with this; it can be energetically draining and it can be fun? Lately I’ve seen/felt a heavier than usual amount of ads; now I love a good product, but it’s a lot to mentally process. There are no external answers, we all must look inward and decide what is right for us. Kinda hard when Insta sucks you in though! Thanks for sharing your life with us!