When 2016 came I decided how could I make the new year start better than taking a break from social media (mainly Twitter and Instagram)? After I having had my IPhone for a little more than two years and using (or more correctly scrolling the newsfeed not wanting to miss out on anything) Twitter and Instagram up til 7 or 8 times a day, I decided it was finally time to take a break from it. Social media had been taking so much of my time and it had especially been taking the time from me I had scheduled to use reading in my Bible and just relaxing.
Instead of being present where I was, I had become so busy being present where I was not-on social media. And I had become so stressed, I did not have enough time to do all the things that really mattered to me.
So in order to get my focus and priorities straight and having more time I began to take a break from social media. I did not go on Twitter and Instagram a single time during 7 days. I knew it would be tough to break a habit that have been there for so long. But I started. And here is what I learned:
- Before the break I thought that I would miss out so many things and opportunities not being on social media, but I soon realized that in all honesty I did miss out on a single thing not being on social media. Oh yes, I sure missed out seing a lot of beautiful pictures, but regarding the real things that really matters I missed out on nothing. Nothing of real importance. Instead I realized how much I was able to accomplish with the extra time I had.
- It was much easier to get things and homework done when I did not have lots of notifications disturbing me every 5 minutes. Suddenly my tasks did not take so much time anymore. I had time to relax.
- I was a lot happier without looking at my phone all the time. I experienced a freedom I had not experienced in a loong time. I learned to be grateful for silence. I learned that silence and not knowing what to do could bring so many opportunities and creativity. Instead of just pulling out my phone, I spent time just relaxing or actually doing something of significance. Something that was not about getting noticed online. Something that was about real friendships.
4 Attention, Israel!
God, our God! God the one and only!
5 Love God, your God, with your whole heart: love him with all that’s in you, love him with all you’ve got!
Deuteronomy 6:4-5
If you can relate to some of the things below I highly encourage you to take a break from social media (or maybe even your phone) for some time:
- Are frustrated when you don’t have your phone
- Goes on social media when there is people around you, you actually could talk to instead
- Feel left out if you are not on social media a certain number of times everyday
- Logs on social media more than 5 times every day
Not saying you have a problem with social media if you can relate to some of the things above, I just highly want to recommend thinking about how much time you spend on your phone and how it makes you feel. I think we all could need a break from social media sometimes.
Today’s post is written by one of my dear friends Christina. I met her on a missions trip to Malaga, Spain this past summer. She is truly one of a kind. The fact that she is able to make banana pancakes with closed eyes says it all-believe me, I have seen it myself 😉 I have not met many people who have such a fierce love for the Lord as Christina has. One of the things she is really passionate talking about is putting Jesus first and how much Jesus means to her. So take a look at what she has to say. She sure got something on her heart.
A couple months ago I stumbled upon Mara Grace Cortez’ instagram account. Seing God’s creation that was captured in these pictures on this account changed my perspective. Why? Because until then I had never in my wildest imagination thought that such beautiful places existed on this earth. These pictures reminded me of how much God loves us. He loves us too much to just keep His perfect creations in Heaven. He wants us, undeserving sinners, to enjoy them as well. He has not forgotten us. His perfectness is not kept on the other side of earth, no, it is also displayed here on this side of Heaven.
livelifefullyalive 