30-Day Social Media Detox

Over the past couple of weeks, I've been feeling some type of way about life. Don't get me wrong. I'm happy in a sense, but I've forcibly made a few life changing decisions that not only scare me, but I know deep down in my heart, were personal decisions that I absolutely had to make. 

And so I made this post on all of my social media accounts: 

“Some time ago, I lost my style. After years of following photographers/designers whom I truly admired [ on Instagram], my own personal style got lost in the shuffle. 

While trying to regain who I was (or who people thought I was through photography), I started to dabble into design — although it’s ALOT to learn, I am genuinely enjoying it and am grateful for this [frustrating] process. 

I came to the surprising realization that I am no longer sure of what that consistent thread of “Bobby” was that was woven into every project I did. I got lost in the “I can do everything” and forgot the “this is why I’m creating”.

So, I think a 30-day detox from social media would really help me regain the focus that I desperately need and will help me come to terms with all of the changes that are currently going on in my life. 

Although I will not post on here. I will start posting new projects on to my website (hopefully). 

My hopes are that after this detox, or somewhere in the process, that I’ll learn to live vicariously through my own life and not trying to recreate the successful endeavors of Pinterest-perfect worlds.

Here’s to designing a life I love.

Peace. ”

So What Now? Well for 30 days, starting today ,I’ll be kicking off my social media break. That means: no Instagram, no Pinterest, no Facebook and no Twitter.  However, I will be utilizing my blog and the rest of my website. 

I’m doing this because I’m realizing that I need to build in a stretch of time to just pause and regroup.

I’m a 27 year old [now jobless - hah! Don’t start crying again, Jasmine] woman pursuing running a creative business on my own. On a given day, I’m hovering over my computer with food in my lap watching Skillshare videos, designing, looking at photography inspiration, writing, listening, pitching ideas to myself and running around these Houston streets trying to appease my dog, Jackson who’s never happy with being in the house. 

Sometimes I feel like I don’t have a moment to just… think. To get inspired. To remain open to the space where the good ideas arise. In an effort to be more of a minimalist with my commitments and intentional when it comes to my time, I’m realizing that this tech detox may do wonders for resetting some not-so-wonderful habits that have somehow crept into my day.

I use all of the usual social-media suspects daily. So yes—deep breaths—I’ll be deleting them all from my phone during my social media break to avoid the notifications. I’m not allowing myself to be on social (posting, consuming, responding, commenting, liking, etc.) at all. 

Here’s how I’m planning to spend my time during my social media break:

• Writing and big-picture business visioning. Daily morning pages are a way to get at the unconscious stuff that blocks us from moving forward. I do believe in this practice whole-heartedly. It works like magic. The thing is… you have to do it. I’d love to get into a morning ritual of freestyle writing. Believe it or not, writing is NOT my strongest point. I’ve actually taken a break from this blog to read more. I’ve even taken a writing class or two on Skillshare to improve my writing. The hardest thing for me has always been to put my words, thoughts and ideas down on pen and paper. But I’m trying! and I’m thankful to anyone who even takes the time to read this shit. 
• Developing more visual creative content. Videos, Photography, Graphic Design - I will be working to bring all of these things into fruition. 
• Opening up a shop on the site. God willing. 
• Email. I couldn’t figure out how to let this one go for an entire month. If you guys know a way to ditch email for an extended period of time without wrecking your biz, would you let me know?
• Reading. Oh, to finally finish a book before I get that warning email from the public library.
• Craft projects. Oh, to finally finish those lingering craft projects.
• Watching TV. Preferably paired with a crafting project.
• Embracing the present. This is, well… everything. Whatever it is I’m doing during —watching movies, taking the metro rail around the city and doing photography early in the morning, editing photos, enjoying a cup of coffee, learn to cook a new meal or two—I want to be doing it entirely. Without Facebook.
• And lastly,  being OK with not getting to do everything on this list.

My plans for this social media break are certainly inspired by others’ successes with the cleanses. But until recently, I honestly never thought that I could do one. As a small business owner, I rely on social media to help generate sales.

Who will be promoting on my behalf? What if people forget about my products and services?

No one, and yes, it’s a possibility.

It’s just a risk that I’ll have to take. I’m willing to face that I may lose readers or potential customers (Hell, if I actually HAVE any). But I’m OK with that. I have a strong feeling that the benefits—the freeing up of time, the re-commitment to presence—will be an invaluable reward. 

So, what do you think? Would you try this? Have you already done a Creative Clarity Cleanse? Any tips you’d like to share or insight from what you’ve gained? I’d love to hear!

Five #BlackGirlMagic Instagram Accounts You Should Be Following

To kick off the weekend, I thought it would be a great to share some recent/favorite Instagram accounts, that I'm pretty sure most of you have not heard of, but really should. I love waking up and scrolling through the beautiful images and early morning creative inspiration that these phenomenal women tend to give me. They literally inspire me to leap out of bed and start the day and well, I think it's about time you know who they are as well. 

1.  Deun Ivory I'm starting to think that there is nothing that this woman CANNOT do. I have aways loved Deun's playful approach to her work. She obviously deeply loves what she does and has no fear in displaying her love for Christ,  color and art and it it is nothing short of inspiring to watch. Currently she is doing amazing things with her Instagram where you can find her illustrations, photography and daily encounters. Her work can be found on her website and her illustrations can be purchased here as well. 

2. Dara I somehow discovered her while living in Austin for school. Instagram makes the world such a small place and I happened to see her tagged in an associates photo. From that moment I clicked Follow on her instagram, I have been hooked ever since. She has such great style and her Instagrams are so beautiful. I love her simple take on styling and following along with her on her daily life as a photographer, blogger, traveler and programmer.  I strongly suggest that you check out her blog, Love Darbie. 

3. Anjola Coker is a 20 year old writer and poet born in Lagos, Nigeria. What do I love about her feed? It's a journal of a young woman in her 20's photographing culture, community and adventure. On her blog, Journey in the Reign, you will find a lot of beautifully written ideas, stories and experiences presenting in short stories, poems and photography. 

4. Akua Tufuor  happens to be one of my FAVORITE lifestyle bloggers.  Every morning, I make a cup of coffee and make my way to my computer to shift through some of many bookmarked sites. Akua Tufor is a self-taught Ghanaian (from Ghana, West Africa) photographer and aspiring lifestyle blogger based in Arlington, Texas. Her style is minimalistic and simplistic. Following her daily wanderings and so on is such a delight and I really suggest yall check out her feed and her blog. She has such a sharp eye!  

5. Ashlei M. Sutton is truly fascinating because she is the ONLY female sports photographer I've seen on my feed. Ashlei is a 22 year old Northern Virginia based photographer who has blended her love for basketball to sports photography. What to love about her IG? Her ability to encapture beautiful and emotion filled candids that truly show her passion for sports culture and photography. She also has a sports blog called RISE. Check it out!