Should you delete social media?

That's the wrong question.

Is this better than scrolling through Instagram?

Hi there, 

This week’s post was supposed to be about deleting my Instagram account, and social media altogether. Instead…

Below are five things I thought were worth sharing this week: 

1. When I was 21, I asked the wrong question: Should I delete social media? My reasons were plenty: rescue my attention, stop social comparison, connect with people deeper, blah, blah, blah. You know, the usual. And so, after some contemplation, learning about the attention economy, and getting angry enough at social media, I deleted Twitter in 2017, and spent three years blissfully disconnected from it all. Then, I got hooked on Reddit.

2. Instead of sharing a book I’m reading this week, I want to urge you, if you don’t already, to read more fiction, specifically, stories set in a different time, place, reality. To be understood, we must understand first. A few recommendation: The Thing Around Your Neck, Say You’re One of Them, Caging Skies, and The Color Purple.

3. Should you delete Tik Tok? Yes, we gotta draw the line somewhere. Why Tik Tok Is Harmful is a 6-minute video on two important reasons for deleting Tik Tok: excessive stimulation and waste of time. Enjoy!

4. A quote I want to share with you this week: 

   “If you are lucky enough to find a way of life you love, you have to find the courage to live it.”
   — John Irving

   Whether that’s online, offline, or somewhere in between.

5. If you want to be a better person, find something to do outside of work (and outside of social media.)

P.s. If you want to spend less time on social media this month, check out Social Rest for some inspiration. Registration has closed but they’re doing seriously cool stuff over there.

That’s all for this week!

Thank you for reading, and please share with anyone you think may benefit.

If you’re seeing this newsletter for the first time, you can subscribe here.

Until next time,

Mehret