Pursuing Simplicity

l decided impulsively last night that I am going take a break from social media for the whole summer. It's been on my mind for awhile, but last night with the doom scrolling slowly killing me and making me more anxious, I decided enough was enough. I've recognized in the past that I tend to reach for my phone to scroll/check for notifications compulsively; in any moment of down time, in awkward silence, to kill time waiting for XYZ, in my car before coming into the house at night, to numb hard emotions about things in life. I realized mid doom scroll last night that I have been also listening to way too many voices: about nutrition/exercise, faith, mental health and trauma, budgeting and people posting videos about how they make so much money online but don't actually tell you how to do it unless you pay for their expensive course that I don't have the energy for, dating, etc.

It reminds me of the scene in Nemo when all the seagulls are saying "mine, mine, mine" but instead its like "listen to me, buy my product, take my advice." I guess I just hit a point of extreme overwhelm last night and realized how consuming all of that content makes me feel worse about where I'm at in life and almost paralyzes me from growth because I see all these people "making it" and I start dwelling on all the areas I lack. When it would be much more beneficial to focus on what is in front of me; focusing on who I am and want to be instead of comparing myself to everyone else. Social media is a fun and helpful in keeping people connected, until it's not. And so in attempt to simplify and declutter my mind, I am taking a break. I deleted both Instagram and Facebook off of my phone and won't be actively engaged online until further notice. I have people in my life to speak into each of those areas, so I am going to lean into those voices instead.

That said, I still want to share life and I enjoy writing here, it is something life giving and nourishing for my soul. I'll write weekly, it will be more of a free flowing thoughts format. I will share pretty much anything from funny (or not so funny) catastrophes, recipes that I'm trying for meal prep, adventures, songs I love, things I'm processing, anything fun/new that I learn etc. Pretty much similar things to what I would share in an Instagram story, but all in one weekly dump and with more details :)

Now that the obligatory intro is out of the way without further ado here was my week. We started off on a note of catastrophe. Let me just say, having car issues in the bane of my existence. Over the years I've had many. It's been about a year since my car has had any major drama, so I suppose it was time. Anyway, I noticed Sunday night that it was having a hard time starting and because I've had so many car issues, I tend to---I wouldn't say ignore, but I definitely avoid thinking about any noise I hear or concern that arises and just hope for the best. I know, I know, not great. It is what it is. Monday rolled around and the lingering fear of something being terribly wrong was there, but I reassure myself that it would be okay because I was going to call and get an appointment for an oil change anyway, so I can have them check it out then and then said a quick prayer "Lord let my car make it until then."

Well. I did make it to the gym, and then the gas station afterward. But when I went to start my car to go to work after pumping gas, it was no more. It was not happening, not even a little bit. Thankfully I had some help and long story short, I had to get a tow into the shop and drop some pretty pennies on a new starter. And I did get that oil change that was needed too, so there's that. Asking for help and depending on others is also humbling and hard. But I am so grateful to have people around who are able and willing to help <3.

Speaking of the gym, I also ran-ish a 5k yesterday with some gym friends, which brought me great joy. We also got to see the World's Largest Rubber Duck "Mama Duck" and her baby duck "Timmy" --- actually that's the whole reason we went, the 5k was just a bonus, haha! If you know, you know. Duck Duck!

Other sweet things that brought me joy this weekend:

• kayaking with a bestie Friday night

• babysitting for a dear friend who has a little babe

• using homemade bone broth to make my quinoa from that same friend

• eating spinach directly from another friends garden in my eggs this morning

• meal prepping a delicious taco soup in the crockpot

• walking and catching up with another friend this evening

Things I'm loving and looking forward to this week:

• finding other ways to spend my time now that I am off of social media

• sleeping better because I'm no longer doom scrolling late into the evening

• reading one of my favorite books again to encourage my faith (The Well-Watered Woman: rooted in truth, growing in grace and flourishing in faith; Gretchen Saffles)

• loving my daycare babies

• frozen fruit thawed in yogurt overnight (strawberries and blueberries are the fruit of choice this week)

• walking outside on my breaks

All in all, it was a good week despite the whole car drama. Stay tuned for next week's episode of Melissa's week ;)

Goodnight.