Many of you may have noticed I’ve taken a bit of a break from social media. Thank you so much for all of the thoughts and comments and ‘I miss yous’ sent my way. You’ll never know how good those felt and how much they meant.
I’ve had a lot of questions about why I stopped posting. I’ve constructed a super lengthy answer and deleted it because the reason is short. I didn’t believe in what I was doing anymore. My posts were not representative of my values, but I couldn’t get them back on track. I had lost sight of my own priorities.
So now, 11 months later, these are my guiding principles when dealing with blending social media with our real, actual lives.
1: Every person innately possesses unfathomable amounts of creativity. We are not all the same, we do not see things the same, and what a blessing it is there are so many different gifts & talents.
2: Share the best of yourself but be honest about the nature of life. No one lives in the clouds all the time.
3: Kindness is mandatory. If someone is brave enough to put real thoughts and feelings out into the world, they deserve respect. Disagreement is inevitable, but cruel, mocking, or rude comments have no place.
4: Getting lost in a good book cures many ills.
5: Creativity is a habit.
6: Each human being on this planet is doing the best THEY can. Could you do better? Perhaps. But you are not them.
7: Develop & use empathy. Every day with everyone.
8: Social media is fun, but it is better for ourselves & our children to keep our hands busy.
9: Keeping a calm mind is a skill we must practice & teach our children.
10: Less really is more. Happiness doesn’t come from buying everything you see online. In fact, you may find you are happier if you buy fewer things that mean more or will be truly used & appreciated. Remember that most of what you see on social media is actually an especially insidious form of advertising.
11: Be as generous as possible, both with yourself, by giving of yourself & giving to those around you. Generosity never goes unrewarded.
12: There is power in story. Stories make the world go round and while I want to share mine, hearing yours makes makes my heart sing. If something doesn’t have a story, it’s not worth sharing. So this space is where I plan to share stories, yours, mine & theirs.
So, from now on, these are the rules you can expect me to abide by. I do not want to sell you anything. I’m weary of the constant bombardment of sales pitches instagram has become. This is not to say I won’t mention things I’m passionate about, but again, if there is no story there, I won’t be sharing it.
Make sure to check back next Monday (Christmas) for my FREE annual Christmas quilt pattern. It has become a tradition & I’d be sad to skip it this year. It will be for a quilt I designed and absolutely love.
So beautifully said, Amanda! Merry Christmas!
Amanda, I salute you for standing up for your beliefs!
Creativity takes courage, and not everybody can understand that!
Be true to yourself and do what makes YOU happy!
X
I love your principles! I’ve been listening Brene Brown’S work all week as I try to complete my Christmas quilts for my kids. I’ve been moved and convicted by her thoughts and insights, and I think your ideas here go hand-in-hand with what she teaches. So, yay! for you for your Vulnerability and Authenticity quest here. Stories are the best. They are always my favorite part of the quilting process, so I am all in for hearing more of them! And definitely less salesmanship. Hugs! And a Merry Christmas.
Very well said! Number 10 is brilliant. So great to hear from you:)
So glad to hear from you. Have been wondering how you are.
Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year.
What a beautiful post – all things very close to my heart this year. I’ve spent more time reading in the last two months than I have spent on social media and I didn’t realise just how much I missed finding a new book and devouring it in just a few days. Welcome back, authentically xx
Wonderfully said and ever so true, 2018 I am sure will be self rewarding and full of great surprises, and love the quilt its so soft and inviting 🙂
I agree and Amen.
???!!! God’s Blessings and Happy Holidays!
So glad to hear from you again. I couldn’t agree more with your thoughts and words. Thank you. Merry Christmas.
Great rules to live by–welcome back!!
I’ve been feeling the same way about social media. This was very refreshing to read and I couldn’t agree more with it. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
I’m glad to see you back. You have said everything alot of us have been thinking. I look forward to seeing what you share in 2018.
Thank you for your clear, honest, true voice. May we all follow such kind guidance.
Very nicely said…Happy Christmas to you!!
That quilt is a knockout! I agree with you that you need to be yourself. I would love to see people be kind and more respectful of others views and opinions. I think the anonymity of online commenting breeds that kind of nastiness – no repercussions to those nasty,unhappy posters. Merry Christmas,wishing you peace and happiness!
You are a good friend, and I am so glad to know you.
Yes, you are correct in all of your thoughts. You must do what you love and need to do
There is time for only what we can fit into our lives.
I love your inspiration and your insight is profound
I am a gramma now to two little girls one from each of my happily married daughters. They live close by. We are still living in the big house (hubbs and I) and I am taking good care of my 94 year old daddy
I have to take good care of myself too.
It is always great when I can sew a line or two, and keep the house under control.
family is so important, and our lives are focused on God’s words and plan
You’ve been on my heart lately, friend, and I’m so glad to hear that you’re in such a good place right now. You have definitely been missed!
Great to have you back and I completely agree to your principles. Stories are worth sharing, be they big or small! And I have to say that I am sorry to see instagram turn into a vending machine too..
I also just need to mention that your blog posts on anxiety has helped my mom a lot.
So… THANK YOU and welcome back! Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!
Beautifully written, I’m going to take a break in the new year from social media, as it’s so time consuming, and for the many reasons you’ve posted.
I love you and think you are pretty darned amazing… and once again you have shown that. Hugs and Merry Christmas!!
Glad to hear you are doing well.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! -Jean
I’m glad you’re back, I missed you