A few months back I talked with a friend about Instagram and social media.
We are both burnt out from it.
I think most of us are.
Truthfully, I think most of us are burnt out from screens and social media.
I don’t think there are screens or social media in heaven.
I’m not sure, I haven’t been.

She mentioned how she has been losing followers like crazy and I admitted I haven’t seen any growth for the last six months.
Sure, it sounds like a first world problem, but social media is one of the ways I make a living.
After all, you’re probably reading this because you saw it on social media.

After we talked I continued to think about that word growth.

It stayed with me.

In the creative/writing/social media world the word growth gets tossed around a lot.

Growing as a creative.
Growing a fanbase/audience.
Growing followers.
Growing sales.
Growing.
Growing.
Growing.

It’s exhausting.
At times it feels empty and it certainly empties you.

After our conversation about social media I decided it was best to quietly separate myself from the internet.

Over the last few months I have slowed down.
I’ve spent less time looking at my phone.
I’ve stopped checking Instagram every free moment.
I’ve stopped posting new content every single day.
I’ve stopped focusing on numbers and followers.
I’ve stopped putting pressure on myself and have quit the comparison game.

This might be a terrible business move, but it’s a wonderful personal move.

Growth looks a little different these days for me.

I’ve started going for more walks, writing in my notebook, and seeking the silence.
I’ve started new projects and have returned to old dreams.
I’ve been reading more and scrolling less and I know it’s for the better.

Maybe that’s what growth is.

Growth looks a lot like ...
Asking for forgiveness. 
Saying I’m sorry. 
Resting from work.
Admitting your need for help.
Holding onto hope when life feels heavy.
Believing you are who He says you are.
Celebrating how far you’ve come.
Bringing forward anxious thoughts and fears.
Listening instead of interrupting.
Changing what isn’t working.
Telling them you don’t know.
Reminding yourself you are loved regardless of your performance.
Pausing with the silence.
Letting go of what needs to go.
Doing the hard thing.
And I’ve still got a lot of growing to do. 
So, here we grow.
It is the tiny changes of today
that will create a better tomorrow. 

For more of my poetry, check out my books!