My most monumental minimization

Ellipses… Issue 44

Ellipses… a small, special character. Used by writers to slow down, create a pause, and indicate thinking.

⚫️ 1 thought: G’bye Twitter Instagram + Facebook 🪶

During the height of the pandemic, we took our little ones out for walks almost daily. It was our saving grace—our way to air out our smelly couch potato bodies and move our legs. Our way to see other human beings without having to mask up and dart quickly in and out of a store.

Somewhere along the way, life returned to normal-ish. Normal enough. Back to work, back to school, and back to indoor fun at home or with friends and family. Our hikes stopped, but our desire for fresh air didn’t. It took us longer than we care to admit, but a few months ago we realized, “Hey, we don’t take hikes anymore.”

With the addition of a puppy, our family pod is prime for hikes. Even my indoorsy son likes to run with the dog and see what she likes to do in nature.

AllTrails guided us to spots that are dog-friendly; kid-friendly. Semi-easy paths.

Our first hike back, we geared up and packed enough snacks and water for 3 days. Then realized we could minimize our snacks next time. A win for my back.

We also got to the point where we ditched the hiking backpack—the little one is now 30+ pounds with boundless energy, so he’s better off running alongside of us.

The last thing to minimize? Well, it’s something that’s been on my mind for a while. It’s the ever-present Millennial existential question of: “If I don’t take a selfie while hiking and post it to Instagram and Facebook, did I really hike?”

The last time we went for a hike, I noticed how many photos and videos I took. Tried not to judge myself too harshly. But really—a horizontal shot for our Aura frame and then a vertical shot for IG stories? So much judgment.

Low-humming in the background of my mind is also the harm that social media is doing to kids. Suicide, eating disorders, and who knows what else. Something is broken in society, and while it’s not all social media’s fault, it’s surely a contributor.

Sure, Mr. Brio’s and my social media use doesn’t directly affect how our kids will use their phones when they will have access in a few years’ time. But at the same time, our use does affect them. The time we spend scrolling our phones or interacting with people online and talking about it directly tells our kids that the internet is a magical place where you post things for validation under the guise of “connection.”

So, I’m done. Plus, the enjoyment factor of social media is gone for me, too.

• “But Jenny—don’t you have an online business?” Yes. I still have my business IG active, though I know no sales or meaningful interactions happen there. I’m holding onto my 5K followers out of sunk cost bias. But that account needs to go soon, too.

• “But Jenny—how will people know you’re okay?” They have my cell phone number. Or my email address. And in all honesty, if they really need to reach me, I’m definitely not hard to find online.

• “But… what about connection?” Well, I set up my social life so that I see and talk to my most important people—often. Whether a standing coffee date, texting to make plans, or pissing the day away together via text… I am lucky to have my fill of good eggs that I love dearly.

So unceremoniously, this morning I told Mr. Brio I was going to do it. And then I did it. And then I was kicked out to each the login page after account deletion.

• Just like that, I don’t have to obsess over writing witty tweets.

• Just like that, I don’t have to worry about FOMO or catching up on my feeds.

• Just like that, I don’t have to worry about taking perfect pictures to post.

Will I regret it? There’s no way of knowing. But I do know quite a few amazing people who don’t use social media, haven’t for a while, and don’t regret it one bit.

⚫️ 1 journal prompt: 54321 again 📔

Since Mr. Brio asked me the other morning, let me share my 54321 method again with you.

Think bullet journaling style. Quick, fast, whatever comes out. Write in full sentences or single words. In your bullet journal itself, or a piece of paper, or even in your Notes app or on your fancy iPad journal.

• 5 things on your mind lately

• 4 things to do tomorrow

• 3 things you’re grateful for

• 2 things you want less of (this really helped me finalize my decision to get off of social)

• 1 soul moment

Need more context? Here’s a 5-min video:

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Thanks for reading!

Hit reply or comment on the post to chat further on any of the above. I love to hear from you. See you next week.

Be safe and well,

🖤 Jenny