I needed a break.
I took a break from blogging and from social media. I deleted the apps from my phone and made all of my accounts private.
I thought I needed to be public in order to keep myself employed. Working for myself the last 7 years I have relied heavily on social media as the main way I have marketed my services, my company and kept a steady stream of clients and freelance work.
I am happy to say that taking a break has allowed me to build my business bigger and better. I have more clients and work than I know what to do with.
With the free time I have saved from being on social media and working on my profiles, I have read more books, listened to more podcasts and had more real conversations with friends.
Instead of being on my phone, feeling the need to post at peak posting times, I am present in conversations, actively listening and not so obsessed with needing to be engaged with the community I worked so hard to build.
I love the community I built online! I love every single one of you who read my posts, visit my blog and give me so much in return for my open hearted sharing.
I am in awe and complete gratitude every time I open up and receive an outpouring of love and support. That is why I am sharing this with you now.
What I am trying to say is that it is nice to step away once in a while and realize its a bonus, but not necessary.
I see the travel blogger who spends more time taking the perfect selfie for their instagram than enjoying the magic of the moment they are in.
I see the girl with a yoga clothing company who spends more time picking the perfect filter and hashtags than doing yoga or meditating. #Integrity #LiveAuthentic #Namaste but #CantTouchYourToes
I see the picture perfect couple who set up a tripod on their date night and photoshop their tender moments so they can prove to everyone online how special and romantic their relationship is.
I see the coach who has something powerful to share but can’t post just words without an attractive selfie to go with it.
I’m not trying to say I’m better than anyone, in fact I am admitting I have a social media problem too, which is why I wanted to take a break and put energy into BEING what I want to be, not just posting about it. We are NOT who we post we are. Our online personas are just that.
So give yourself a break. Don’t stress about the gram, about the tags, about your followers or if you are looking or sounding as good as someone else because chances are they are trying much harder than you to look that way. Just enjoy YOUR life. Put the apps away and be present in your life.
No one really wants to see a photo of your tacos anyways.
I would replay scenarios and lies he told me over and over in my head. I couldn’t stop trying to “solve the case” even months after I had “moved on.” Desperate for answers, sitting on a beach in Bali, staring off into the gorgeous sea and feeling anxious in paradise again, I searched for alternative therapy in San Diego. I was going to give it a try as soon as I got back. I couldn’t deal with another beautiful morning wasted, waking up in paradise, from a nightmare, about some douche bag thousands of miles away. ( Apparently, spending years dealing with a sociopath can cause PTSD. )
Most people know of his business accomplishments, his funny antics and cheeky personality but few know that his main passion in life right now is saving endangered species.
Lindsay and Alex, age 4 observing the Scarlet Ibis on Necker Island.
We even had a scavenger hunt for animals around the island!
The tortoises are so big and ancient looking it is no surprise they have been around as long as dinosaurs.
Richard loved the Nature Explorer Journal we made for him. Each page was a different animal that one of the children drew with some fun facts we learned together about the different species. It was the high light of my week seeing the kids work so hard to present such a thoughtful gift to our host and friend, Richard.
Since my visit and consultations with Richard and Necker management in April they have produced several new videos and blog posts about the Nature on Necker as well as began using hashtags #NeckerAnimals and #NatureOnNecker for sharing their photos and progress. Here is the most recent video with Richard and the nature director, Vaman.
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