Despite the fact I do not follow a Catholic faith, I decided to partake in Lent this year. I was raised Catholic, but I have moved towards more of a relaxed Christian faith that I am happy with. Still, I have participated in Lenten fasts in the past, but this year was different. This year I genuinely wanted to give up something to challenge myself on more of a mental and spiritual level, rather than a physical one.
This year, I have given up social media.
My blog has never been a space where I can escape from reality, so my presence here is “allowed” and encouraged. Instead I have given up Instagram and Facebook, one of which I can easily get lost on for hours looking at photos from strangers I will never meet. Initially I thought this would be difficult. I thought my addiction to the mindless escape of scrolling on Instagram would be a painful missing piece of my mental distraction repitour, but what I have found has been the complete opposite.
Rather than curling up in a corner scratching at my face for the next fix, I am more present on here. I am more present with myself, I am writing more, and I feel calmer. My eating habits have been more balanced, my mood has been stable, and my sleep has been better. I’ve spent more time reflecting on deep thoughts as well as superficial “fun” thoughts.
Thoughts that have inspired this post. Thoughts of random things I am enjoying lately. Let’s dive in, shall we?
- I am enjoying wearing a Garmin watch without the obsession.
I will forever have a soul tie to my OG Garmin Forerunner 110, but he is no longer with us. I bought that watch in 2011, and we made it through many, many runs together. What I loved most about the 110 was the fact that it didn’t have any bells and whistles. No calorie counts, no step counts, no heart rate counts, it was just a watch that turned into a GPS when you asked it to.
I have avoided a new Garmin because of the bells and whistles. As someone who struggled with an exercise addiction and disordered eating it can be hard to separate from that extra data. If the day of movement wasn’t perfect it was bad news. So I stopped wearing anything, I stopped tracking movement, and I did the unthinkable – I intentionally gained weight and spent many days inactive. I truly believe this temporary hiatus helped me to have a more balanced approach to exercise.
I now use a Forerunner 45, one of the more basic watches with just the right amount of bells and whistles. RIP to Gary my Forerunner 110 shown below.
- I am enjoying new work skillz.
I finally know how to change my own bike tire/tube. I’ll never forget the time I got a flat tire years ago. It was my rear tire aka the “entering Mordor tire” with regard to taking it on and off. I was successful in getting the tire off, took it into REI to fix, and everything was going great. Until I couldn’t get the tire back on.
I accepted my failures and asked one of my neighbors for his help, a neighbor I had never spoken to in my life. I knew he rode bikes so I figured it was worth it to ask. He was most helpful, and as a thank you I baked him (and his family) cookies and gave them a pound of coffee (back when free coffee was up to my neck.) I left it on their porch and never heard anything.
I hope his wife didn’t think I was hitting on him. Awkward.
- I am enjoying spending money.
Hear me out on this one…I am one of the most frugal people you will ever virtually meet. I hoard my money like I am preparing for some kind of apocalypse, and it’s honestly a bit ridiculous at times. I rarely if ever buy myself something, and it takes me a long time to justify a purchase unless I “need” it. Although “need” is such a relative term.
I refuse to fall prey to consumerism, but I have been spending more money on myself lately. Buying nicer hiking gear, buying an extra pair of shoes, the aforementioned Garmin, etc.
I will never forget something a small southern man I used to work with in Germany told me. We were talking about my frugality one day, and I was telling him about all the ways I tried to cut costs while traveling (like using a hostel pillowcase for a towel, perks of short hair), and he looked at me and said: “you cannot take your money to the grave.”
Ever since then I’ve been more mindful about letting myself live a little. I can’t take it to the grave.
- I am enjoying my obsession with “Happy Healthy Hippie – Go With The Flow Hormone Balance.“
If you have been around these parts for a while, you will know I have a bit of a “crunchy granola” approach to most things in my life. I avoid pharmaceuticals, I rarely wash my hair, I spent an entire summer without wearing deodorant, I try to eat mostly whole foods, and shaving my legs is an afterthought to…everything.
When my menstrual cycle returned after being gone for five years, I knew something was still off. My hormones were ALL OVER the place. Being the professional obsessor that I am, I spent far too much time on the Google trying to find out what was going on, until one day I decided I had to do something because my PMS symptoms were taking over my life. I know that sounds dramatic, but I am completely serious.
No this post is not sponsored, however it SHOULD be. This blend is literally just a mix of herbs so I knew I had nothing to loose. And let me tell you…I have lost nothing and GAINED some of my sanity back.
- I am enjoying winter hiking.
I never imagined I would be someone who enjoyed hiking in the winter months. As someone who struggles with Raynaud’s I tend to avoid being outside in cold temps for long periods of time. Not only have I enjoyed winter hiking, my extremities have not fallen off like I anticipated they would.
My hiking pals and I took a trip to the Hoh Rainforest last week, a place I hadn’t visited since I was 17. The last time I took a trip to the Hoh was for a team building weekend with my dad and a group of others who were all planning a trip to Mexico for a mission trip. All I remember from 17 year old Brittany’s experience was hating the five mile hike to our camp site, hundreds of thousands of black slugs, and being stuck with people I didn’t mesh with.
Ultimately the mission trip was amazing, and it was all worth while.
Now that I am an adult, and I enjoy hiking, five miles in (and five miles out) is no big thing. We hiked (or rather walked, this area is very flat) to “Five Mile Island” where we enjoyed some snacks and views before heading back. Lush green trees, mossy rocks, waterfalls, ferns large enough to engulf an elk, and rivers rushing loud enough to lull any white noise lover to sleep.
Worth the three hour drive, five hour walk, and three hour drive back.
Life without social media feels good. I am reading more, I am listening to amazing music, I am daydreaming about people and places and adventures to come. When Lent comes to an end I plan to be more intentional with my time spent online. Life feels good right now, and I am enjoying this whole “one day at a time thing.”
After all, today is all we have.
Q: Have you ever taken a significant break from social media?
43 thoughts on “Things I’m Loving Lately”
Sunny
First – love this happy positivity. I think most of us need more of this right now! I’ve never taken a social media break and I like to use my work as an excuse, though that’s probably not true. Over the weekend I watched a Netflix documentary called “The Social Dilemma” and the show made me irritable and angry. Which, when I reflect, means I’m probably more addicted than I care to admit. Maybe I should try a brief pause, too?
Brittany
Ahhh I watched that documentary back when it first came out and it definitely planted a seed for me to step away. I honestly don’t care about all the marketing I get , I never fall for it, but it’s still creepy all the tracking they do.
Christine
I deactivated my Facebook from June-January and have since established much healthier relationship with the website. I also I unfollowed a significant amount of people that weren’t relevant to my life anymore (lots of random ‘friends’ from my bar hopping days) as for Instagram, I need an intervention- but I did mute everyone’s stories, so I can’t just mindless watch highlights or super whiny posts…small steps…
Brittany
Ohh muting ALL stories is a great idea. I might do that when I come back to using it.
Liz H
So much joy in one post. I do appreciate your ongoing sense of adventure and discovery! 🌹🌹
Brittany
Thank you! I appreciate your comments. 🤗
Amy Estoye
Love this post and I am going to check out that happy healthy hippie! I often take days free from social media and when I do, that’s when I realize how exhausting it is, how it wears me down.
Brittany
I swear those herbs have changed my life. They’re amazing!
Amy Estoye
I am post menopausal. I want to see if they have something for my phase of life. If I buy and they ask how I found out about them I will say Blissfulbritt sent me 😀
Brittany
My dreams would come true if I were sponsored by a hormone balancing herb blend. 😂
Amy Estoye
😂 My dreams would come true if my hormones would balance haha
Brittany
Oh girl. I feel you on that. Praying you find something!!
Amy Estoye
Thanks 🙂
Pree
Will have to check out that herb blend. My hormones are crazy and I only feel at peace the week when I have my “period” (in quotes because I’m on BC right now and that makes all things hormones even more complicated lol).
Brittany
Ugh the quest for balancing hormones seems never ending at times!
Rob Collins
TikTok, Instragram and Facebook were all very addictive, and therefore unhealthy, for me. It’s been months since I last used them. I don’t miss them at all. On balance, I think most social media is bad for society. However, I do get lots of benefit from YouTube.
It’s cool to hear you rarely wash your hair, I’m the same… though I’m rapidly losing mine to baldness now anyway. I haven’t used shower gel, shampoo or conditioner in years. I do still use underarm deodorant though… I consume too much garlic to inflict that smell on others!
Brittany
I agree about bio social media as a whole being bad for society. I think there are some perks, but overall not so much.
I have been wearing deodorant these days, I need it because I eat more freely. 🤪
Amy
Ahhhhh SO many amazing things in this post!!!
1. YES! I haven’t been on my personal Instagram account since the beginning of December 2019. It feels AMAZING! (I wish I could give up IG altogether… but… that’s not necessarily the wisest choice in my line of work. 🙈 So I ask my team for help and minimize my time on my business account as much as I can!)
2. “You cannot take your money to the grave.” That is SO smart and wise!! I’m pretty frugal (although not as much as you — you’re the queen of that!), but I still have a hard time parting with money for “fun” purchases. Thank you for sharing this man’s perspective; it’s exactly what I needed to hear. 🙏🏻
3. I’ve been dying to know the name of the supplement you alluded to in one of your previous blog posts! You know all about my health journey… So I was SUPER curious about what worked for you. Definitely going to check this out!! THANK YOU!!! ❤️
4. “My extremities have not fallen off like I anticipated they would.” ← I couldn’t help but laugh… I totally feel ya, girl!! 😂 So glad you still have all of your digits! 😉
Brittany
Seriously, stepping away from IG has been so amazing! Using it for work is totally different.
Isn’t that perspective on spending money amazing!? I just love it.
I hope you try those herbs and notice a difference! They’ve literally done so much for me.
I can always count on you for the Raynaud’s understanding. 🤗
Pam
So just from the start know I’m OLD….so technology wasn’t what it is for You when I was Your age😂😂😂 I came to tech very late in life, and consequently with a Healthy skepticism……I always have Questions, what is its purpose, how does it help me, what are my responsibilities, and truly how honest will people be ….You get my drift
I live by the word Moderation……except when it comes to sweets, total disaster. I understand One has to engage to be social and there has to be a certain amount of equality for relationships to work and survive.
The phrase “ one has to have skin in the game” comes to mind.
It is a balancing game with social media, but when You find the sweet spot it’s All Good. All the Best👩💻🙋♀️
Brittany
I agree! Stepping away has been very helpful for me, and I think will give me a healthier balance when I decide to come back!
I hear you on the sweets. We are kindred spirits with sugar. 🤪
crustytuna
YES to all of this. I stepped away from Facebook for 3 weeks, and it was enough to reset that addiction. I don’t even think to check it anymore, unless I’m looking to buy something, in which case Marketplace is the best space ever. Frugality has its perks – ie. the rush of scoring a great deal.
And insta? I’ve started only following people who show me things and places that I’d otherwise never see. Adventure photographers from all over the world, bug specialists, deep sea divers, the like. It’s fascinating and beautiful and educational. More often than not I’m showing a pic of some weird squid to my kids because it’s amazing.
How is the no-hair washing working out? I felt like I couldn’t really get away with it when I had short hair, but now that it’s long, I can just put it up and not wash it for a week and no one is the wiser…
Brittany
It’s amazing how stepping away can help so quickly. I am loving being off social media! I’ll definitely be more mindful when I return.
I have an easier time not washing my hair when it’s short. Although I do find when I eat more foods my body doesn’t love my hair will get oily. I rinse it everyday, I just don’t use shampoo that much.
gpavants
Hi Brittney,
Sounds like a good lent set up. We can all use a little balance. Glad you are feeling better.
Thanks,
Gary
Brittany
Thank you!
Kerwegi
I have taken a social media break. It’s been so relaxing and it’s helped me focus on me. Congrats to your Lenten achievements.
Brittany
Thank you! It’s been quite nice.
IV WORDS
Good for you, taking care of yourself. To be good to others we first have to be good to ourselves. I’ve taken breaks from social media and always felt better for them. New hiking boots never hurt either! 😀
Brittany
Agreed on all accounts!
cstanski
Yup. Last year I deleted my FB account. Went back a year later and I’m more intentional how I use it. I believe fasting of any kind can produce growth, inside and outside. Highly recomment, often. 🙂
Brittany
I love this feedback! I continue to surprise myself with how much I enjoy being off of it. Fasting is powerful!
The Writing Commuter
Thanks for sharing, Britanny! I’m already “flying low” with regard to my FB accounts, but this year, I had planned to focus (and revive) key social media accounts. Now, that word “key” is subjective. 🙂 For me, that means anything related to work and my crafts: LinkedIn, IG, and one FB account that’s linked to my IG.
I mentioned “revive.” This WP account has seen multiple resuscitations. Ahahaha! I started it back in March 2010 (I know right?), hid it for a while, started anew, and then hid it again. Phew. This year, I want to make it as stable as my LI since I’m already a journal writer anyway. A digital version of my journal: how hard can it be, right? Hehehe. Let’s see!
Have a great day!
Brittany
I love the revivals. Sometimes we need a break and that’s ok!
amleta
Nice to know that there’s another person who don’t use social. I’m against all socials because they are asocial. More solitude has been created by socials. So I’ve enough. I deleted all my accounts some yearsago and now I only write on my blog and on Wattpad. 😊
Brittany
Amazing!
Candice Leigh
This was such a refreshing read. Thank you for sharing.
Brittany
Thank you! 🤗❤️
makaylajesalyn
I love hiking too! Winter hiking sounds so fun!!
Brittany
It’s been awesome.
Allie Zottola
Yay for balancing out those hormones! I think the female body is so amazing the way it can bounce back from a missing period and send those hormones in FULL FORCE. I’m glad you’re finding some relief!!
Also, soooo true about not being able to take money to the grave. I often feel guilt about spending money on anything I don’t absolutely need, but am slowly learning to loosen my grip on money and fear of spending it and realizing I can’t take it with me!
Brittany
It’s funny how there are people like us who DON’T want to spend money. Letting go of the reins a bit was hard, but ultimately the things I am buying I do need for the activities I enjoy, so it’s justified in my mind. Haha.
Chris
I deleted my Facebook years ago. Never looked back. I’m only on IG. I have SnapChat but that’s only for a close group of friends of pointless snaps of food or weird people when out and about. My life is better without all the social media BS. I’m also particular about who I follow on IG, less drama that way, and it works.
Brittany
Love this. I find now that Lent is over and I’ve been back on IG for a couple days, I just don’t really want to be on it. I hope that lasts!