I recently made the decision to go on an indefinite social media sabbatical 🤯
That is honestly something I never thought I would never say, but it also strangely feels like a long time coming.
I want to share with you why I made this decision, what my experience has been like so far (I’m just over a month in), and how I plan to market my business (and live my life) without social media.
Because, like, how do you live without social media?!
Let’s talk about it ⤵️
My relationship with social media (at least over the past 5ish years) has been strictly business (with the occasional post about my husband, our fur kiddos, and my Funko Pop! collection - IYKYK).
Social media, specifically Instagram, was my main (aka my only) marketing channel, and I actually enjoyed being on the platform.
In fact, for a period of time, Instagram was my entire business!
I helped network marketers with content strategy, niche development, and even offered Instagram bio audits.
Maybe you initially found me because you needed help with one of those things.
(That being said, if you’re looking for Instagram help, I’m probably not the right person to help you anymore 😪)
Over the past two years or so, I have felt God asking me to walk away from social media all together, but I resisted because I was scared.
I was scared of missing out, that people would forget me, that I would become irrelevant.
I was scared that I wouldn’t be able to make a living without being on social media because it had been my main source of income for so long.
And, in the midst of all that fear and uncertainty, my mental health was worse than ever 🗑️
I was on edge and irritable constantly, snapping at my family for no good reason.
My creativity was completely zapped.
I couldn’t focus on anything ever.
I felt uncomfortable in my own body after putting on 20lbs.
I was in a constant state of comparison. Everyone’s business was “more successful” than mine.
Nothing I did was ever “good enough” (according to me, I guess).
And I kept turning to Instagram to make me feel better (oh, the irony!).
But the more I scrolled, the worse I felt.
My screen time was 8+ hours some days, and the majority of that time was spent on Instagram mindlessly scrolling (but I was calling it “work”).
Social media likes, followers, viral videos, DMs, and engagement had become like a drug to me.
I was addicted to the high.
(As it turns out, social media addiction is a real thing.)
Unfortunately, most of my 2021 felt like that ⬆️
my brain constantly
I finally looked up from my phone and was like… WHO AM I?
Is this who I really want to be?
NO! It was not.
I did not like the person I had become, and I knew this was not the life I wanted for myself.
I realized my phone, social media, even my business had become idols in my life, and something had to change.
Wednesday Addams is a vibe.
2022 was the year I tried to get back to myself (and it was tough, like I cried a lot a lot).
I spent 2022 making little changes here and there in an effort to feel better.
I’m not an all-or-nothing person (although I definitely used to be - a story for another day!), so taking small, incremental steps is how I set out to do anything in life.
I started taking regular walks outside (now I walk 10k steps a day!).
I started exercising more regularly and eating better (I lost 15 lbs!).
I started reading a little bit here and there (I read 24 books last year!).
I limited my working hours (I work Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday for no more than 4 hours a day).
I walked away from network marketing for good.
I got my screen time down to 30 minutes a day 🤯
I read the Bible every morning with my husband (and still do!).
(Shoutout to Father Mike on The Bible in a Year podcast.)
I allowed myself to take an occasional nap (guilt-free!).
I got really into cycle syncing (an incredible way to invite understanding, grace, and empathy into your life).
And as of a month ago, I got OFF of social media.
It’s been only a few weeks of me being away from the hustle and bustle of social media.
(Seriously, it is so LOUD over there.)
everyone on social media be like 📢
I cannot even begin to express how life-changing it has been.
Calm, intentional, free, happy.
These are a few of the words that I would use to describe how I feel since getting off social media.
I wake up every day feeling refreshed.
I have the creative space to write.
I have the freedom to work on a puzzle in the middle of the day.
Winston is me, and I am Winston.
I have the desire to spend quality time with God.
I have grace and understanding for myself when I need a nap.
I have the time and energy to truly pour into my relationships (including the one with myself).
My life feels so light, and I love the SLOWNESS.
All of the fears I initially had have not come to fruition.
(If I have become irrelevant or missed out on anything, I wouldn’t know!)
As far as my business goes, it’s a work in progress!
I’ve gotten really into Pinterest, SEO, blogging, and email (obviously!) as ways to grow and nurture my audience.
I feel like they all offer a way better investment on my time and effort (and they don’t suck the life out of me lol), but it’s all still relatively new.
I’m not pretending to have it all figured out, but I am happy to share what I’ve learned along the way.
(P.S. I created a free course if you’re curious about what a business without social media can look like for you.)
Thanks for being here and supporting me.
It’s been a fight to get to this place (and it feels like it has taken forever lol), but it was worth it.
If you are feeling called to leave social media, if you feel exhausted and overwhelmed, I see you.
I know it feels scary to even consider walking away.
But one thing I know for sure:
Life is happening outside social media… and it’s beautiful and light and free, and it’s available for you, too!
Always rooting for you!
-Erin
TLDR: If you are a person who loves posting on social media and you have an healthy relationship with it, keep on keeping on! However, maybe you’re like me and being on social media is sucking the life out of you. Here's my encouragement to you: There is life (and freedom!) outside of social media, if you want it! Scroll up to read my story. Maybe you can relate ✨
If you are a service provider, creative entrepreneur, or small business owner who wants to grow a simple, sustainable, and profitable business WITHOUT SOCIAL MEDIA, grab my free Simply Foundational course to help you do just that!
