Trying to simplify my life and focus on less screen time.

Every social media outlet can be a source of life or death, it’s how you balance it, what you make it. I am a sharer, writer, creator, celebrating the small and big of life — that will always be me — so I enjoy social media outlets. Blogging and Instagram inspire me to be creative, thoughtful, to see the beauty or lesson in any circumstance.

They encourage me to make art out of the mundane (if you follow me on Instagram, you see this in my photos of coffee or a plant), to enjoy the little moments. They challenge me to be light in a dark work, to share authentic life for those that are hurting or discouraged.

I’ve met a lot of great people online, via social media, from all over. Women I would never know otherwise, which is pretty rad.

Social media can be shallow if you let it be shallow. It can be a cause for envy or comparison, if you aren’t content with who you are, if you aren’t finding your identity in Jesus alone. It can define your worth if you let it, sending you up and down like a roller coaster. It can be a distraction, if you aren’t thoughtfully paying attention to where you give your time.

But, if you put it in its proper place, let it be what it was simply created to be, a small snapshot of your real life, it has the potential to add something sweet and fun to the already real moments you have.

All of that to say, as I’ve said multiple times on this blog, I go through seasons of blog and media activity. Sometimes I’m super activity on all platforms, and I’m digging it. Other times, like right now, my life feels spread a little too thin all over the internet.

I feel compelled to choose one. To express myself, to be creative, to share stories, to talk about lessons I’m learning, via one platform. To simplify. To focus on less, to give attention to what is eternal, what is extra life-giving.

This being Jesus. My husband. My family and friends. My work. Reading books. Making time for my own personal art.

Simplifying what is going in, to more energetically give out.

I heard the term micro-blogging recently. Defined: “the activity or practice of making short, frequent posts.” For me, this means Instagram.

It’s my favorite social media platform. Photos express so much, and I have always been super passionate about capturing moments and beauty.

Not that it needs a scope, but it’ll be short stories of life, words of inspiration and encouragement and conviction, and lovely photos.

For me, Instagram isn’t just a place to share a selfie or a meal, it’s an art — a creative outlet. It’s a way to remember moments long past; and it simplifies my screen time a good bit.

I don’t know how long it will last, and I’m going to continue to share longer heart-spills or photography outings here on the blog. I still want to find beautiful souls to write for the Clothe Yourself With series, I want to make time to make more downloadable wallpapers, but I’m predominantly going to focus and enjoy one social media outlet.

So, if you don’t already follow @eubankchels, I’d love to keep connecting over there!

Friends with blogs, have you ever felt this way before?