I am an available person, it is part of my work ethic and a chunk of the foundation of my business.  As an entrepreneur I work weird hours, based on my to-do list and my clients needs.

I respond as soon as I possibly can, and I provide my network with multiple ways to connect with me for big or little things.

Except for when I don’t.

Social media can be an all consuming place.  It can pull your attention from real life, and can add fuel to a fire you do not need stoked.   And as much as we all attempt to present our “authentic selves” on social media, we don’t.  Social media polishes, amplifies and allows us to present a slightly different, buffed up version of who we are in real life.

It can add so many extra words to your day, rolling around in your brain. Intonation is lost, and meanings are misinterpreted. It is stepping into a room with so many conversations happening that one often doesn’t know where to look or what to read.

So, I turned off.

In fact, I did more than that. I deleted.

I removed my social platforms from my mobile devices. From my iPhone and my iPads. As I pressed those little x’s I felt like I was regaining control of my reality. I was empowering myself to live in real life, and have real conversations.

Being too available can be a negative thing, and as much as I would like to answer every question, from every person every time they ask, I too need a some peace.  My people know how to get me if it is urgent, and that is how it should be.

I came back to work today after 4 days off.  I cooked, walked, laughed and played. I cleaned my house and fed my chickens. I snuggled.

And while this is no different from any other day in my life, doing it without the distraction of those incessant “pings” made it seem very special. It was my time. In my life. Without worry, or judgement, or feeling the need to broadcast.

I gave a gift to my friends this weekend as well. By turning them off, I released them from the need to engage. As much as I took my weekend to myself, I also gave theirs to them.

We live too much in other people’s pockets these days, forgetting about the individuals we have chosen to actually live with, or sit in the same room with.  Our digital conversations are so loud we can’t hear the ones beside us in the flesh.

Try it next weekend. At the end of day friday, don’t just turn off, delete.  Remove your social apps from your devices and see what change it brings.

Real life is good. Very good, and by removing the distraction we might just see that.