It’s hard for me to come back after a long break.  I don’t consider this a bad thing. Almost every vacation I have ever taken, I begin to get sad the last couple days.  I begin to feel that I don’t want the time off to end. My mind begins to plan the next break or get away. There is joy and rest in a break.  

Over the past seven weeks, I gave myself a break.  I pulled the cord on social media. My Social Media Fast began the weekend before Thanksgiving and was intended to last until the first part of January.  

I knew I needed this fast for so many reasons. 

1. I needed to stop scrolling.  There would be times I would find myself scrolling through picture after picture.  Looking at these squares before me and paying no attention to the actual faces and conversations happening right in front of me.  I was using social media as an escape, as a filler, and as a source of recharging. As I pulled myself from the scrolling, I realized how much unnecessary time I spent on social media.  Not only was I scrolling through the pictures, I was scrolling through the comments and the links and clicking on other’s profiles to figure out how I knew them. These investigations would lead me into multiple hours a day on social media.  I had to ask myself, FOR WHAT? 

2. I needed to focus on the season.  I timed my social media fast during the busiest, craziest time of the year.  My fast began the Sunday before Thanksgiving and ended after the New Year. This year was going to be different.  While preparing for a Bible study, I was reading about the birth of Jesus. It became so clear that no one in that story was in a hurry except the shepherds.  In Luke 2:15-16, after the angel told the shepherds that Jesus had arrived, they hurried off to find Him. This really struck me. What if that is what I was hurrying towards  this season? Just hurrying for Jesus. Unplugging from social media, made me realize the free time I actually had. I spent more time reading my Bible and devotions, listening to podcasts, and playing worship music in my house.  I committed each day to be a day that I would hurry towards Jesus. This time was full of lows and highs but there was such a peacefulness knowing that each day I had handed it over to God.  

3. I needed to reevaluate why I do what I do and WHO I’m doing it for.  I started my blog about nine years ago. Sing and Dance in the Kitchen was a place for me to share my recipes with family and friends.  Simple as that. Facebook was something I used to stay in contact with everyone since we moved around so much. I would post pictures from the weekend to share with out of town grandparents.   On my blog I would share the latest creation I had whipped up in my kitchen. Within the past few years, Instagram and blogging have grown. It seems like so many are using Instagram to share their stories and their lives.  Very quickly, I was coached that I needed to push my Instagram more. I needed to post more pictures and push for the likes. Quickly I learned if I was not going to continue to engage on Instagram, I would lose followers and connections.  There are goals, algorithms, leverage, hashtags, giveaways, geotags, and the list goes on of things you need to focus on to have a social media account that is worthy to be considered. This all started making my head spin because my heart just wanted to share a piece of my world with others.  

This fast was the perfect time for me to ask myself these questions, 

“Why am I posting this?” 

“Who am I posting this for?” 

“Who’s approval am I seeking?”  

“What’s my motive?” 

During my social media fast, there was no posting, no scrolling, no seeking approval, no comparison, no thinking behind posts, no second guessing comments or wondering why I was not included or invited.  I was not ON to be part of any of it. It was so freeing. It gave me true rest and peace. In mid December, God made it so clear to me. It was like He was sitting right there on the couch with me and I was reflecting.  I’m His Daughter (2 Corinthians 6:18). There is no one’s approval that is needed besides His. As much as I love my husband and children, their approval does not have comparison to God’s. My family and friends are wonderful and support me in so many ways but they are human and will let me down. Their approval will not hold a tiny spark to what Jesus holds for me.  

It became so clear that my small, little platform of whatever I want to call it can only and will only be based to point to Jesus.  Jesus wants to use my love of hosting, cooking, baking, gathering, telling long stories, building up mommas, encouraging others wives, find deals, punching boxing bags, crazy dancing, and off pitch singing for HIS GLORY!  He wants everything that makes Amanda be Amanda to point to HIM! (all the feels and chills as I write this)

So, as I dip my toes back in to this year of 2020 and all that God has in store, I want you to know that my social media fast was one that changed my trajectory for Sing and Dance in the Kitchen.  I’m so honored and humbled that you are part of this journey with me. Thanks for hanging on and waiting on the other side.

Looking Forward!

Amanda