97. Time

One month with no social media

Hi friends,

Time is the most expensive, most value commodity we have. What are you doing to take control of your time?

I made a conscious decision this year to take a break from all social media. This means:

• No Facebook (this was the big one for me)

• No Instagram, Twitter (X), LinkedIn, etc. (not on TikTok, but none of that either)

• No commenting on YouTube (I still use YouTube, mostly for studying music, but also for other videos - I just avoid interacting with other users)

• When reading online articles, I do read comments, but don’t interact. I’m starting to think avoiding news site comment sections is next. I face the same issues there: lots of polarity and bots.

Substack is the only social site I’m currently active on, and here I only respond to you. I don’t think I have any bots following me…

I’ve been good for the whole month of January and I’ve noticed a few things:

• More time overall - or less time wasted

• Less stress - and from what I’ve heard, it’s been a particularly stressful month on social media. I’m in the loop - I subscribe to the Boston Globe and the local paper, and I’m considering adding the NY Times. I know what’s going on. I’m just not participating in the online frenzy.

• Fewer distractions - I’m more present when with others

• I’m playing more saxophone (big bonus)

• I’m getting more sleep (something I’m actively working on)

• I’m happier

Social media became more of a time-suck for me than it should have been. The older I get, the more I value each moment. A few of the people I’ve spoken to about this have commented that they can’t leave social media because of some of their relationships (family, friends who live afar) - it’s their only form of connection. I get it. But I think that the price of doom scrolling isn’t worth it. I’m happy in a 2007 mindset (remembering the days before social media).

One of the big themes of the Rick Rubin book, The Creative Act, is that your surroundings impact the way you create. I’m phasing out much of the noise. Choosing to focus my time on my art. It doesn’t mean I still don’t have the day to day stresses of life and work, but I filter out what I can and it better allows me to open my creativity to what the universe has to offer. Or if that’s too woo-woo for you, then think of all of this as allowing me the time and focus to further develop my artistic craft.

One month in and it’s a great feeling. What are you doing to take control of your time? Will it better help you harness and practice your creativity? Let me know.

~Russ