Start by Pruning Your Social Media Use

Not long ago I started on a summer journey to care for my soul. I didn't know where to start. Should it be with my schedule? My family? My Bible time? I spent some time thinking about it and discovered one thing was nagging me that I couldn't figure out how to tame: social media.

I’m starting here because it really lays the groundwork for the rest. I took some time off of social media. Honestly, it terrified me. I picked up my phone 100 times a day, ready to scroll. But I needed a break from the noise (both good and bad.)

TIP: Putting social media icons in a folder labeled SOUL CARE helped keep me on track.

I don't believe social media is bad. But I did feel like the way I was consuming it wasn't good for me. Maybe you can relate?

The Word reminds us: "Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things." Philippians 4:8

It is important that we dwell on these good things to fill our souls and have the peace that Paul writes about in his letter to the Philippians.

Think about your social media use and honestly answer these questions:

• Do I feel closer to God when I use social media?
• Does my social media use distract me from things or people I love?
• How am I glorifying God with social media?

Taking a break and thinking about these questions will help you tend to your life at the soul level.

Social media is like a plant. It can be lovely and have beautiful flowers, but it can also get overgrown and take over the whole garden if I don't tend to it. The secret is keeping it well-tended.

Do I still use social media? Absolutely (it's part of my job!) But I'm learning to recognize the signs of when it starts taking over and take a little time to cut back.