There I sat, the selfie queen, FB-social media evangelist being prompted to take a selfie to share the presenting charitable organization being featured at the S.H.I.N.E. meeting (www.shine-now.org). It was awkward. I deactivated my FB account a few days ago, a radical step toward a more disciplined use of my time in the New Year. Not sure how long my sabbatical would be, but just to take the first step.  I deactivated my account and uninstalled the apps from my phone to ensure my success.  To actually say to someone who invited me to take a selfie with them, “I have stepped away from social media so I will refrain from a photo.” Wow!  Who is that person?

I had not however uninstalled the Instagram and Twitter apps. I found myself checking in under radar.  One of the presenters at the meeting suggested we follow her updates on Instagram, so I searched for her and found myself scrolling IG and checking tweets.  Sadly, it was just more of the same. The same exact noise I was stepping away from on FB.  The same exact stir of emotions I felt on the ‘book, instantly rolled over my spirit. There is a toxicity (at least for me) that slithers through the otherwise façade of connectedness that social media purports.

Uninstall.
Uninstall.

It has only been six days! Initially I felt the pull of it, not checking in, ‘feeling’ present; not seeing what my FB friends were posting, not posting my selfies, quotes and thoughts of inspiration; nor feeling a part of the interactive convo, as bogus as it may be. I was missing it. I felt the disconnect. But then, after a few more days, it felt surprisingly liberating.

Yesterday, I really noticed. My disposition was not fastened to what other people were posting, doing or perpetuating.  I was turning a corner, literally.