Hey Stacey! The online world is so incredibly loud. The only way I can cope is to delete the apps for long periods of time. I say bring back the ‘old fashioned’ print magazines 😅 I’ve subscribed to Above Rubies for a while now and really appreciate its format and encouragement without the overwhelm. If you ever feel called to write a print newsletter, I’d sign up 😉
I love those too! Another great print magazine is Keepers at Home. They are a Mennonite magazine for women, and they are really good! Maybe that would be a fun project for one day.
Hear hear! I would love more print magazines for homemakers. I’m not aware of anything in the UK that is what I’m after, but have been thinking about subscribing to Above Rubies. Good to know about Keepers at Home too…
I have also loved reading blogs for years - long before I was blessed to be a homemaker last year! I still love going to Strangers and Pilgrims for her wisdom and inspiration and a more recent read is Like Mother Like Daughter.
I'm with you, sister. I'm still blogging at the same place I started on October 1st, 2011. My blog (www.homespundevotions.com) is simple, and the Lord has used it for many purposes over the years as it has evolved, but the premise has always remained the same. I can't allow myself to get sucked in to the mindless, brain-rotting content, either. For me, it truly is a spiritual warfare fight because the enemy knows our weaknesses, and just like the algorithm creators know what to continually feed us to keep us mesmerized and distracted from the real and beautiful life God is allowing to happen around us, satan certainly knows what has successfully tripped us up in the past. Unfortunately, he has his own algorithm skills and knows what appeals to our flesh most effectively. It is a constant battle, but one we can win, by God's grace. I pray the Lord will bless you and lead and guide your every step!
I think you're putting your finger on the spiritual pulse hitting women in particular about social media right now. A book I started reading called Sincerely, Stoneheart sheds a similar light on how social media might be being used by the enemy to rob women of their faith and joy. I think disengaging entirely can be the right path for women but I also think there's an antidote in authentic sharing like you said. I know I struggle with wanting to share authentically and encourage but also not wanting to cause a sister to stumble and hop back on her phone if what she really needs is to stay way for it for a season. I think using a variety of platforms does help - for instance, I quit watching all short form videos but there are content creators like Really Very Crunchy I enjoy. They have a podcast which is a platform that works better for me. Blogs are great too (slower media). I am encouraged by posts like this and conversations with other women who are working through this, though.
Thankyou so much for this post. You read my mind! I deleted most social media apps awhile ago. Interacting on them leaves me feeling drained, anxious and overwhelmed. It's a struggle to stay off them though as it's where most of my friends and family share their lives and interact with one another. It certainly can feel lonely not being online.
Thank you so much for writing this - you have put into words what I wish I could! I wholeheartedly agree with what you're sharing here. Years ago I absolutely loved Instagram because it brought so much godly encouragement, edification, and precious friendships into my life. Now, it feels like Instagram is simply people telling everyone else what to do. It is completely different than it once was, and has caused me to contemplate often if I should simply leave social media, when my entire purpose for being there to begin with was to simply encourage other women in walking with Christ. I'm not sure what the answer is either, but I'm in prayer and grateful to hear your thoughts are similar to mine. I do know that I must make very clear perimeters for myself if I stay (for time management as well as following strictly only those who spur me on in Christ.) I absolutely do not want to lose touch with the precious, godly ladies I've met through social media (such as you!!) but I also don't know how to include social media in my life in a healthy, balanced way. 🙏
Yes! So so noisy online! I took a social media break at the end of last year and I felt lead to be social media free for 2025…and I’m almost certain that I won’t be going back on. Everyone is trying to sell something 😅 I enjoyed reading your post!
I loved this post! I relate to this so much and am thankful that you have a different goal for your platform. I hope that Substack doesn’t turn into other platforms and remains unique.
I relate to feeling drained from scrolling and even deactivated my Twitter account recently. I have also wanted to pull back from using IG more because it feels the same way. I pray the Lord continues to guide your steps 😊
Thank you! I find myself still wanting to use other platforms, but not knowing exactly how to use them wisely. I definitely hope to write more on this topic and perhaps we can all share ideas. I do hope substack doesn't move to a more fast paced app. There is already a bit of it in the feed here, but it is also nice in the way it can connect you to like-minded people you've never heard of before.
I love this, I'm totally there with you. I would love to go back to just the old blogs. I hate to admit this, but the continual scrolling has made it hard for me to be able to focus long enough to read something more than a paragraph long. I'm making some big changes too and will be following along with you, typos and all 😉😀
I have to say from reading this post and the comments, I couldn't agree more. Social media has gotten SO noisy lately that it can cause so much anxiety. And there are times that I have limited my time on it, just to be drawn back into full swing of using it again. My heart has been tugging at me to slow down and possibly get off of it but not sure I could due to my business that I have. Many prayers there. But I do love the slower aspects that it once was.
Hey Stacey! The online world is so incredibly loud. The only way I can cope is to delete the apps for long periods of time. I say bring back the ‘old fashioned’ print magazines 😅 I’ve subscribed to Above Rubies for a while now and really appreciate its format and encouragement without the overwhelm. If you ever feel called to write a print newsletter, I’d sign up 😉
I love those too! Another great print magazine is Keepers at Home. They are a Mennonite magazine for women, and they are really good! Maybe that would be a fun project for one day.
Oh thank you! I haven’t heard of that one. I’ll take a look and see if they ship to my country.
I pray you find a balance that works for you ❤️
Hear hear! I would love more print magazines for homemakers. I’m not aware of anything in the UK that is what I’m after, but have been thinking about subscribing to Above Rubies. Good to know about Keepers at Home too…
I have also loved reading blogs for years - long before I was blessed to be a homemaker last year! I still love going to Strangers and Pilgrims for her wisdom and inspiration and a more recent read is Like Mother Like Daughter.
I'm with you, sister. I'm still blogging at the same place I started on October 1st, 2011. My blog (www.homespundevotions.com) is simple, and the Lord has used it for many purposes over the years as it has evolved, but the premise has always remained the same. I can't allow myself to get sucked in to the mindless, brain-rotting content, either. For me, it truly is a spiritual warfare fight because the enemy knows our weaknesses, and just like the algorithm creators know what to continually feed us to keep us mesmerized and distracted from the real and beautiful life God is allowing to happen around us, satan certainly knows what has successfully tripped us up in the past. Unfortunately, he has his own algorithm skills and knows what appeals to our flesh most effectively. It is a constant battle, but one we can win, by God's grace. I pray the Lord will bless you and lead and guide your every step!
That is so very true! Thank you for sharing your thoughts. I'm looking forward to checking out your blog now.
Thank you so much, Stacey! Many blessings to you and your sweet family.🙏🤗
I think you're putting your finger on the spiritual pulse hitting women in particular about social media right now. A book I started reading called Sincerely, Stoneheart sheds a similar light on how social media might be being used by the enemy to rob women of their faith and joy. I think disengaging entirely can be the right path for women but I also think there's an antidote in authentic sharing like you said. I know I struggle with wanting to share authentically and encourage but also not wanting to cause a sister to stumble and hop back on her phone if what she really needs is to stay way for it for a season. I think using a variety of platforms does help - for instance, I quit watching all short form videos but there are content creators like Really Very Crunchy I enjoy. They have a podcast which is a platform that works better for me. Blogs are great too (slower media). I am encouraged by posts like this and conversations with other women who are working through this, though.
Thankyou so much for this post. You read my mind! I deleted most social media apps awhile ago. Interacting on them leaves me feeling drained, anxious and overwhelmed. It's a struggle to stay off them though as it's where most of my friends and family share their lives and interact with one another. It certainly can feel lonely not being online.
I love the print magazine idea!
God bless you ❤️
Thank you so much for writing this - you have put into words what I wish I could! I wholeheartedly agree with what you're sharing here. Years ago I absolutely loved Instagram because it brought so much godly encouragement, edification, and precious friendships into my life. Now, it feels like Instagram is simply people telling everyone else what to do. It is completely different than it once was, and has caused me to contemplate often if I should simply leave social media, when my entire purpose for being there to begin with was to simply encourage other women in walking with Christ. I'm not sure what the answer is either, but I'm in prayer and grateful to hear your thoughts are similar to mine. I do know that I must make very clear perimeters for myself if I stay (for time management as well as following strictly only those who spur me on in Christ.) I absolutely do not want to lose touch with the precious, godly ladies I've met through social media (such as you!!) but I also don't know how to include social media in my life in a healthy, balanced way. 🙏
Yes! So so noisy online! I took a social media break at the end of last year and I felt lead to be social media free for 2025…and I’m almost certain that I won’t be going back on. Everyone is trying to sell something 😅 I enjoyed reading your post!
I loved this post! I relate to this so much and am thankful that you have a different goal for your platform. I hope that Substack doesn’t turn into other platforms and remains unique.
I relate to feeling drained from scrolling and even deactivated my Twitter account recently. I have also wanted to pull back from using IG more because it feels the same way. I pray the Lord continues to guide your steps 😊
Thank you! I find myself still wanting to use other platforms, but not knowing exactly how to use them wisely. I definitely hope to write more on this topic and perhaps we can all share ideas. I do hope substack doesn't move to a more fast paced app. There is already a bit of it in the feed here, but it is also nice in the way it can connect you to like-minded people you've never heard of before.
I love this, I'm totally there with you. I would love to go back to just the old blogs. I hate to admit this, but the continual scrolling has made it hard for me to be able to focus long enough to read something more than a paragraph long. I'm making some big changes too and will be following along with you, typos and all 😉😀
I have to say from reading this post and the comments, I couldn't agree more. Social media has gotten SO noisy lately that it can cause so much anxiety. And there are times that I have limited my time on it, just to be drawn back into full swing of using it again. My heart has been tugging at me to slow down and possibly get off of it but not sure I could due to my business that I have. Many prayers there. But I do love the slower aspects that it once was.