I took a 3-Month Social Media Break. Here’s why I’m never going back:

In January, I launched the biggest business endeavor of my life to date. I opened the doors to my Lifestyle Design course, a 6-week interactive deep-dive into the art and practice of living well.

Lifestyle Design is a concept that has been brewing in my mind for years, and I finally took a leap of faith and introduced it to the world.

I had 165 students enroll. This was more students than I’ve ever had in all my classes combined.  As an early career entrepreneur, this was a huge accomplishment.

And it was a reality check.

This isn’t my side-hustle anymore. This is my life's work. 🙌🏾

People trust me to support their healing and expansion. I want to show up for this work with the utmost integrity. I decided to log off social media while I taught the class, so I could minimize distractions and be fully present with my students. 
 

DURING MY THREE MONTH SOCIAL MEDIA HIATUS, I DISCOVERED:

  1. I don’t actually like being on social media.  In the moments I would have typically spent scrolling, I ended up entertaining myself in other more nourishing ways. I watched recordings of live concerts. I started working on a passion project. I cooked more. I made playlists. I tinkered around my house. I sang. I kissed my houseplants. I realized: The joy I get from being present in my life far surpasses that which comes from social media. The joy of living is unparalleled.

  2. My friends and I don’t need social media to stay connected. It turns out you don't need to see your bestie's smoothie bowl to maintain a friendship. I found that being off social media created the space for deeper, more authentic, more intentional connections with my tribe. I never felt like I was “missing out." I got clarity on which relationships were healthy and strong, which needed more attention, and which needed to go.

  3. I sleep better off the 'gram. Did you know Instagram is literally designed to be addictive?  Historically, I would open up IG right before bed as a way to “wind down." I would, unsurprisingly, end up spending hours scrolling, sometimes staying up well after midnight.  I've been able to establish a consistent bedtime routine, and have learned that having adequate sleep sets the foundation for my entire life. Everything is better, easier, and more joyful when you're well-rested.

  4. I want social media to be where we meet, not where we hang out. As a teacher and guide, social media is a way to connect with my students, clients, customers, and collaborators. I intend to continue using these platforms to teach and inspire, and to connect with people who want to work with me further. But I reclaim my time from trying to win the algorithm game. I'm pulling back from sharing in-depth information on social media. Instead, my posts will point you in the direction of ways to engage with me off the platform.

  5. Instagram takes from me more than it gives. Last year during a plant medicine journey, I received the message that “balanced and reciprocal” relationships are essential for my wellness and joy. If I am pouring my time and energy into anything,  it needs it to fill me up, too. If I am giving everything and receiving nothing, I pull back. I divest. I refuse to be depleted in the name of service.

Okay so — now that you’ve read this far, I’ll admit:

I'm not actually "never going back." I'm just never going back to being on social media the way I used to.

No more mindless scrolling. No more un-boundaried overgiving. No more pursuing joy and connection where it cannot be found. No more trying to keep up with the ever-changing demands of staying relevant online. 

Moving forward, my social media posts will serve one of three purposes.

  1. To inspire and encourage people to show up fully, treat themselves well and pursue their wildest dreams

  2. To direct people towards deeper ways to engage with me and my work 

  3. To make money from aligned opportunities that support my ease and wellness


From this day forward, I’ll be on social media sparingly. I'll pop in when I feel authentically called to share a message or if I’ve got an announcement.

That said, I hope you give yourself permission to do what's best for you, even if that means logging off forever.

Here are some of the things I thoroughly enjoyed while off the gram:

My time offline has reminded me that life has so much to offer. All we gotta do is show up for it.

What are some nourishing ways you spend your free time? Write me! I’d love to know.
 

Take care,
Jamila


PS: I'm doing another round of the 6-Week Lifestyle Design course, with some new opportunities for people who want to work with me one-on-one. Enrollment begins tomorrow, 4/1/22, and class begins on 4/22/22. I'll be sharing more about the Lifestyle Design method in the coming weeks. Stay posted! 

Thanks for being here.

Jamila Reddy