A New Year

More than ever, I feel like this year is a turning point. I just wish I knew which direction the year was headed. We have new political changes on the horizon that are certain to change the world. I’ve left my job and am looking to discern what my next step should be. I’m trying to use the changes to instill some positive changes in my life. Not exactly New Year’s resolutions, but a recommitting of where I should be.

So what do I want to commit to?

I’ve long known that Facebook is a rabbit hole for me. There is enormous benefit for me in community and lifestyle. Buying used is a commitment I have to the environment. Finding out about local events keeps me in touch with my neighborhood. Asking questions of other like minded people connects me to issues I care about. But…how much of that is what I do on a regular basis and how much time do I end up spending on reels I can’t seem to hide or avoid?

And how much do I share? I love sharing my life and photos of what’s going on with our travels and experiences. But the kids are getting more aware of an online presence and they’re not as willing to be seen as they have in the past. Yes, Facebook is a quick way to connect to family and friends who live far away. It’s not an extra step that anyone takes to send or open an email. It’s not something I need to schedule or feel guilty about forgetting.

But perhaps the answer is to have better limits? I’ve struggled in the past with what limits to enforce. If I’m not on Facebook, what am I doing? Playing a stupid little online game? Doomscrolling the news? I recognize that for me Facebook is an escape, and I’m not going to suddenly replace online time with baking bread or reading a book, no matter how good those ideas sound. I need my dopamine fix!

I think my best bet is to stay busy. To find myself too involved, too tired, to bother with online stuff. But if I’m headed in a new direction, I need to figure out what that looks like, before I get pulled right back to where I started.

So, I’m going to try writing more. Let’s see if it works. I’ll try exercise, when I don’t have a sprained ankle. I’ll try texting friends more, if I can remember. And I’ll forgive myself and keep trying again if I backslide again.