I started the process of “slow leaving” Instagram a little over two weeks ago, and I’m just starting to miss it. Not the noise, per se, but the little windows into the lives of my friends. I’m also missing the way the platform let me share little windows into my own day.

I’m not drawing grand conclusions about this. Just doing my best to stay in the practice of paying attention, of noticing, of wondering what it means to walk away from a place, person, thing that still holds value but may have run its course.

It’s also been funny to notice how less dialed in I am to the news of the world. While I’m still subscribed to my favorite political podcasts and email newsletters, I’m a few days behind things which creates this gentle spaciousness between my own heart and everything that’s happening worlds away. The mental and emotional distance between me and the news, and the accompanying lack of immediacy, has definitely toned down my reactivity. It’s been quite wonderful.

I’m committed to staying off of Instagram at least until June. I plan to make the final call around then. In the mean time, I guess I’ll have to Facetime, call, or mail letters to my friends.