Today I want to talk about a bit of a controversial decision I made this week. Hello, my name is Mary and I’m a Facebook-aholic.

Yes, I’m totally, utterly addicted. It’s embarrassing for me to admit this. But I’m your stereotypical Gen-Xer who wakes up and reaches for my phone first thing in the morning, instead of a cuddle or a coffee.

And that’s not okay. I’m a Simplifier, for crying out loud!

So, I’ve decided to do something a bit radical. A bit of a detox, if you will. I’ve decided to take part in the “Simplify My Social” experiment, where I won’t use any social media channel for 30 days…except for Instagram.

No Facebook. No Twitter.No Snapchat or Pinterest.No Linkedin, no nothing.

Just laser focus all my online work on one channel. Simplify.

At first, I was really scared. I’m a Texan expat living in the UK…how in the world would I stay in contact with my American, Australian and Canadian friends and clients? What if I miss out on something? What if no one listens to the podcast, as a result?

Thanks Fear. I appreciate you chiming in. But that’s okay. It’s all good. Time to sit in the backseat.

So, I deleted the Facebook app off my phone this morning, slowed my pace down and even took some time to sit in the park near my office and soak up the sunshine.

News flash: the world didn’t come crumbling down. Facebook is still standing with one less user this month and my headspace now has a bit more breathing room.

I plan on documenting my thoughts, triggers and emotions this entire month… hoping to share what I learn with you soon. As business owners, we get so caught up in the “shoulds” in our business that we fail to focus on the things that ACTUALLY work:

• real life connection with our clients and network
• nourishing ourselves as leaders
• slowing down to give our creative side room to imagine

So, that’s what I’m doing this month and if you’d like to join me, I’d love you to come along for the journey.

And just one final whisper, just from me to you, dear friend…come in closer.

Social media can be a powerful connector. But it can equally be such a TRAP. If you’re finding yourself mindlessly scrolling, scrolling, scrolling today, I want you to stop. Pause. And gently ask yourself, “why am I doing this right now?” What gap (in my heart, my mind, my schedule) am I trying to fill?  What is one simple thing I could do right now to nourish myself, instead? Drink a glass of water. Deep breathing. Look up, make eye contact with someone and smile. Anything. Anything but this.

You can do this, I believe in you.It’s time to SIMPLIFY.

Show notes available with all LINKS mentioned here: https://thesimplifiers.com/podcast/bonus-017/