Totally getting the iPhone 6 Plus when my upgrade is available. This bright striped Sonix case is super cute.
Earlier this month I shared some thoughts with my newsletter subscribers about taking technology breaks.
While I was traveling, I kept thinking about how many people choose to take social media breaks over the summer. Yes, I probably spend too much time on my iPhone and on the interwebs in general, but you know what? I’m inspired by beautiful images and creating work to share online with others.
When I spend too much time cutting myself off from sharing the things that I create and seeing the images that show the work that other talented people are creating, I feel kind of blah. For me it’s all about moderation. You can always go overboard in either direction, it’s just learning how to balance inspiration gathering with creating and living your life to the fullest. Sharing and engaging with other artists is part of my creative process, and I’m okay with that!
That being said, taking in too much “inspiration” can have a numbing effect or, worse, stir up feelings of inadequacy about your own life or talent. Not allowing this method of research and communication take over spending quality time with family and friends, doing the work that you need to do to move forward creatively, or getting in the way of simply taking a break to live life in the physical world is crucial to maintaining or improving your relationships, your creativity, and your psychological well being.
Basically, you have to do what feels right for you. If you’re virtually hungover after a Pinterest binge or planning your social calendar around what would look best on Instagram, then it’s probably time to take a step back. On the other hand, if you’re pinning inspiration for a theme to explore in your next photography series and you walk away from the screen feeling energized and ready to get started, social media might be having a positive impact on your creative life. You know you best.
When I’m offline I’m experimenting with abstract painting at Gage Academy of Art, but later I share my work on Instagram.
Garance Doré shares how she managed her social media time this summer versus her self-imposed “fully phone off” trip to Bali the previous year.
Neil Gaiman took a social media sabbatical at the beginning of 2014 and shared a little about how he coped in the early days of Twitter withdrawal.