Have you ever had any epiphany moments in your life? Those aha! moments, that make you sit up and take notice? I have, and one came to me recently. It came about one evening as I realized that I don’t want to spend all my time scrolling and reading online.
Epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.
Now I know that, as a blogger, that seems a bit incoherent. Because like all bloggers, I hope that others will read and be encouraged by my writing. And I genuinely appreciate each and every one of my followers, both here on the blog and on social media.
But it doesn’t really make sense to read or follow things we’re not really interested in, does it? And isn’t following others for wrong (or selfish reasons) a bit misleading?
Sometimes we need to reflect on why we’re doing what we do. And I realized I needed to reclaim my life from the internet.
So I started internet decluttering, and I’m so glad I did! And perhaps you feel the need for this too. Especially right now, during this time of isolation and social distancing, when the temptation to spend too much time online is stronger than ever? If so, try these simple internet decluttering steps!
5 Steps to reclaim your life from the internet
Because there is so much more to life than spending all our time keeping up with social media, subscriptions, blogging, and all the rest.
1. Subscribe to blogs and follow others on social media for the right reasons.
Are you following others for the right reasons?
Follow to find inspiration, encouragement, or interesting content. AND ESPECIALLY because you hope to encourage others. Unsubscribe from blogs or social accounts (including this one) if they don’t enrich your life in some way.
Otherwise blogging can quickly go from joy to chore! And because if we take in too much, (no matter how good, inspiring, or encouraging) we can’t even digest it!
2. Don’t follow just because you’re hoping they’ll follow you and like your posts.
Have you ever followed someone, even though you weren’t interested and had no real intention of reading them? I have, but no more! If I follow you or like your posts, it’s because I actually take the time to read and truly like what I find! Anything less seems misleading somehow. And because following just to get likes or followers seems, to me, a bit like being back in grade school.
Don’t follow others just to get more follows and likes. Follow to be an encouragement and to find encouragement, inspiration, or new knowledge!
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3. Aim for blogs with mostly evergreen content.
Evergreen content always remains fresh and tasty!
Evergreen content remains valid and interesting for days or even years to come. Think recipes, how-to posts, inspirational posts with a take-away, informative posts with timeless content, even photos. Blog posts with this type of content are great to read and even re-read down the road!
4. Eliminate profiles that that don’t work for you.
Eliminate social media profiles that are either a big time drain or that don’t really work for you. This can be hard to evaluate, because we want to make it easier for people to follow us. Yet, we don’t want social media to take over our lives. So adapt your profiles to work for you. Do it your own way and find what works best for you.
5. And remember that blogging and social media should be about community and communication.
I firmly believe that less is often more, even in blogging and social media. So I’d rather create a small community of people who can get to know and interact with one another. A huge list of followers or a huge list of posts to struggle through just does not do that for me.
Internet and technology are great tools. But they’re just that. Don’t let the internet become your life.
The great myth of our times is that technology is communication.
Libby Larsen
Images: Woman reading of tea by Bib Bornem | Tea by y StockSnap | Geese by Elsemargriet | Salad by Sponkia | Book by Harper Sunday.
Signora Sheila 
I want to thank you for reposting this. It’s a timely reminder of how I spend my time–especially in this new normal of more time apart from people. I love your wisdom, my friend. And that you have this tenacious spirit of cutting right to the chase. Your words encouraged me–again.
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Thanks Dayle, I find it so easy to get side-tracked. So I sometimes need the reminders for myself!!
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You spoke to me, Sheila. I get burdened by all the ways I just can’t keep up. I know I need to change my mindset and focus. Thanks for this encouragement!
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I’m glad it helped you, Patty! But I am always “preaching” to myself first. And I deleted most of my social media accounts because, like you said, why am I trying to keep up with all this fruitless activity? It was very liberating for me. I feel a lot lighter and more free!
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Sheila I so appreciate you putting into words what many of us also struggle with. Yes I have begun some of your suggestions over the last several months but need to do more. We can only read a limited number of things and following simply to build a social footprint is the wrong way to go . Supposedly I have about 850 followers but only 20 ever seem to read anything and likewise I am guilty of some of that same type of behavior. Have a blessed Easter week-end in Italy and keep posting as I am reading (most of the time!) blessings
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Thanks Pete for your encouragement. It is really hard to keep balance. So I’ve found that the thing to do is to continually check my priorities and motivations. Even in social media and blogging, I want to be pleasing to God. As I write this, I started thinking what would Christ think about our social footprints? I think he would measure them by how many people we have touched, helped, or inspired. And never even notice the numbers. Oh to have his heart!!
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Hi Sheila.
Wise words. I’ve just come to the same conclusion, need to step back and limit screen time. Here in France we go into lockdown again tomorrow, for four weeks initially, so I think that is a hint for me to use my time better. MJ
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Good for you too, Maryjane! I’m hoping to get my neglected garden/ yard in shape, take up my flute again, write stories, and read more. Most of my social media is now gone and I’ve already been reading more!! So sorry you’re back in lockdown again too. But I hope you’ll find productive ways to fill your days. And that you have a Happy Easter anyway!
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Amen, Sheila! Social media can steal time away from face-to-face relationships if we’re not careful. And the latter is more important!
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Yes, they are more important for sure, Nancy. Our online relationships can be a huge blessing, but shouldn’t overshadow those around us!
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Wow. Recognizing myself in some of your thoughts here was more than a little disturbing. I’m an inveterate people pleaser, and I have been known to follow others because they follow me. Or because I hope they will. Not proud of that. Way to be brave, my friend. And yes, sometimes less is more.
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Don’t worry, Dayle. You are definitely not alone. I think it’s about finding balance and that’s not always easy to do. And when we do, let’s just remember to give ourselves grace!!
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