Happy Sunday, readers! How are you doing? Today’s newsletter is going to be a little different. I have some thoughts that need to go from my brain, to something physical, in order for my mind to be a bit quiet..
I mentioned in my last newsletter that I began March by taking an unintentional social media break, specifically on Instagram. With each passing day, I feel like taking more breaks from that space.
It breaks my heart to say that - I started Readwithsam on instagram five years ago, and my feelings about it now, are so different than it was a year ago, let alone five years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not leaving Instagram! But, I am definitely planning to take a step back, and come up with a way to maintain a bookish/reading community off of Instagram. It’s a huge reason why I started my bookclub again, and took it off of Instagram.
I’m going to be honest with you guys here, because I feel that those who have subscribed to this newsletter, may feel the same way that I do. I could be wrong but.. Instagram/bookstagram has become so over saturated, and so in your face. Whether it’s constant selling of some sort of product, or constant arguing and bickering about who is better than the other, who is wrong, who is problematic.. and while sometimes those conversations can be helpful to some for self growth, I've personally seen it damage others’ mental health, and to me, that doesn’t progress our society.
There is a lot wrong with our world. There are many injustices, and sometimes, I go down a rabbit hole of those topics and become severely depressed. Mix in social media, and my mental health declines rapidly. It’s just not right. When the pandemic is over, there is going to be some serious repercussions of how social media played an active role in our daily lives in the last year - and it’s not all positive.
What I’m trying to say is… before jumping into something, take some time to step back, and reflect. Research, talk to the people in your life. Put down your phones. Take a deep breath. Ask “why?”. Remember that there are human beings behind phones and social media accounts - humans that are going through a lot in their personal lives that they may not share. Social media doesn’t give you the entire story, or an in-depth look at a person.
The books we read, we read to either learn or escape. Regardless of what we choose to read, is not an entire reflection on our being. What’s important is maintaining your critical thinking skills. If you absolutely loved a book that others hated, for whatever reason, you shouldn’t silence your voice and thoughts in fear of being attacked. Society can progress. But not through constant shaming and arguments.
My thoughts are a mess, I know. And you might disagree with me, and I just want to say that is okay. Unless you are an outspoken racist or sexist, who refuses to grow and learn, and you cause active harm to others… if you have a different opinion than me, I don’t hate you. I’m here for conversations and understanding, and I truly think, many more people need to be this way, if society is going to survive the internet.
I’ve been so thankful at some of the conversations I’ve had this past week with fellow bookstagrammers. But, I also feel sad, that many of you feel the same way I do. Many of you feel like you can’t be yourselves on your page. I hope my words today give you a little courage to do what makes you happy, as long as you don’t harm others.
If you choose for your bookstagram to highlight books you loathe, go for it. Books you love? Amazing. If you prefer to keep that space as a place to escape daily life, then all the power to you. You choosing not to re-share a politically or socially driven post (that at times have incorrect information), does not make you a bad person. Remember, social media is a fleeting construct. We could all lose our accounts tomorrow.
If tomorrow we wake up, and Instagram and Facebook are gone. Forever. What would you do? How would you feel? Relieved? Upset? Unsure what to do with your time?
I hope my newsletter today gives you a chance to reflect. There are 7 billion people on this planet.. life would be pretty boring if we all thought and acted the same, right?
In the words of the infamous Ron Swanson, “live your life how you want, but don’t confuse drama with happiness.”
Until next time, yours bookishly,
Sam
Well said as always Sam <3 how do you capture my inner feelings to words so perfectly??
Well said sam!!!this is coffee_and_bookpages and I'm so glad that you feel the same way that I do!that's why I've been trying to take a break from time to time. That's why I'm scared to post about Harry Potter without getting that hate!I mean I've seen half of people from my followers that I follow post harry potter things and I don't really see hate at all!idk I'm just rambling!