I realized this morning that people can message you when you post an Instagram story. Apparently there were several messages sitting there that I was just ignoring, but . . now I know.
AHHHHH social media. I am really trying to cut down on my phone use in general. I am still extremely happy with my decision to inactive my Facebook account nearly 18 months ago (!), and have no desire to go back. I don’t use Pinterest or Twitter (never got into that). Snapchat is just . . . not for me (I think I’m about a decade too old).
So, that leaves me with Instagram. Which I enjoy, but find it hard to strike a balance. When i’m actively experiencing something, I’m torn between the urge to share/record and the more mindful side of me that wants that phone OUT of the picture entirely. At the same time, life seems to be moving so fast and the kids are growing up at breakneck speed. I WANT to preserve many of these moments for posterity, and I also enjoy sharing some of the ups (and appropriate downs) with friends/families/others in the trenches.
I guess there’s no real answer here. I actually really enjoyed posting to regular Instagram daily (I did this in January using the #happier2017 hashtag, inspired by that podcast) but I also see the fun in showing snippets of daily life in the Stories feature. That said:
a) Josh is SOOOO not into it (and I respect his stance)
b) it can get overly addicting
c) I do feel that I live a more peaceful existence in general when my phone is out of sight.
Which social media platforms do you use? How do you strike a balance between sharing/recording and keeping the *$(&@#@ing phone out of sight?
Okay! And now for a podcast update. I’m still amazed at the interest, and really excited to move forward with this project! A pilot recording session has even been set up — I promise I will share details when I can, but I will say that the general topic is going to be about working motherhood — but definitely with a positive slant, because I do believe in my heart that even the tougher seasons aren’t necessarily the slog they are made out to be.
At some of your recommendations, I have been listening to some more family-oriented, more conversational podcasts to get ideas, and really like the tone of Girl Next Door podcast, so think of a hybrid between that and Happier (hey, might as well aim high!), with a slant towards professional work/life balance.
I (we) need your help with a NAME! IF we use one that is submitted by one of you via this blog, I will personally thank the submitter by buying them a 2018 planner of their choice, up to $100 value (Hobonichi perhaps? An Erin Condren or Day Designer? Or the mysterious new Golden Coil?). So far, I’ve come up with In the Thick of It, but I think that might be a little too martyr-y, when I’m looking to project the opposite vibe. I’d like something that is a positive spin on making the most of a busy life filled with career and family.
Notes from my day off, so far:
I slept until 6:30 am today. It was amazing.
I ran outside in 85 degree weather. That was . . . interesting. I think I’m going back to the treadmill until at least October.
I have a work meeting that I couldn’t get out of and will have to drive ~90 minutes for just an hour of actual work time. Total part-time FAIL, but then again I do duck out of the office of OB appointments on work days from time to time (the office is literally 3 minutes from my office, and the visits are QUICK) so it’s probably fair.
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I hear you on the social media front! I’m sooo much happier when I totally disconnect (i.e. when I’m on vacation in a different country and don’t even have the option of checking my phone), but I looove Instagram, especially my "bujo" feed, and find enjoyment in checking it daily too. No advice, just commiserating. 🙂
And a couple random ideas for the name of your podcast, just for the heck of it.
"White Picket Fence" – because I feel like you’re kind of exploring the idea of "having it all" – and you do have such a lovely family + job
"Making It Work" – because you’re a working mom, and because you do make your life circumstances work for you.
I’ve been thinking a lot about the effect of social media and other "phone time" on my ability to focus and be present at work and home (maybe all that listening to "note to self" I’ve been doing the past week!). I’m trying really really hard to be intentional about my usage, but its a lot easier to just not do it at all (maybe I"m an abstainer in this regard?) because I find myself just opening up apps subconsciously. My goal is to put my phone down somewhere when I get home. I’ve been trying to keep it face down on my desk at work. I got sucked into a very fun but very long and distracting group chat with my high school friends the other day and I realized that I cannot NOT read a message that pops up on my phone if I see it!
Boo about the work meeting.
My favorite parent-related title is "The Longest Shortest Time" via the NPR podcasts. I feel like that title perfectly sums up both the daily and bigger picture balance of parenthood.
However, what about:
Balance in the Little Years
Balance in the Busy Years
Cheers!
Megan
I don’t do any social media. I know- I am so weird. I actually didn’t even own a smartphone until a few months ago (maybe I am confessing too much weirdness here?!!). It became a problem with coordinating school things for the kids when other people were sending group texts and I couldn’t receive them on my ancient flip phone. So, I got a smartphone. And use it pretty much never. I haven’t put a single app onto it. I don’t want to be tempted. I still waste plenty of time just Googling random crap though. I don’t think my Luddite tendencies are any kind of commentary on social media. It’s just something I have never bothered to make time for because it never seemed important to me. If it becomes important (like the smartphone did) then I will go ahead and do it.
I’ve never listened to a podcast but I will definitely give yours a go!
You could simply go with Balanced. Work, Family & Balance.
I like Making it Work.
How about "The SHU Box – Trying to Do It All (Well)." That is assuming you want to link it back to your blog.
A Season of Fullness.
Making it Work is also cute.
How about SheWorks? Did you see on my Instagram story that I saw Gretchen Rubin last night in aspen? I don’t know anyone else that would appreciate it like you!
I was going to suggest Inside the Box, but it’s already a podcast! And so is Walk in Someone Else’s Shoes! Damn.
How do Instagram stories work? I just really started using Instagram (well, not posting.. but following) and can’t figure out how to see Stories. I get that they are temporary, right?
I am on Twitter but I feel like it crushes my soul each time I go on there. I might have to stop using it until a less intense political atmosphere is around us.
I came up with a bunch of ideas for a podcast title… I’m really excited that you are going to give it a try. I love your blog and know I’d love the podcast too.
Here are some ideas I thought of…
The Middle Ground
A life in balance
Work in Progress
Positively Productive
The best of both worlds (thank you, Hannah Montana!)
Presently productive
So far my only thought is "Having it All?" but will think on it! Glad to hear you’re moving forward with this.
To be honest, at least w/r/t Instagram (my favorite social media platform), I think that I actually appreciate the beauty/moments around me MORE by passively thinking about what would make a good picture. (Besides that, I’ve definitely gotten a lot better at photography/documenting those moments by making a point to post more often.) And it’s really nice to have a record of my life through those photos.
Just wanted to say I love reading your posts and am excited about this podcast (and/or additional posts about having a fulfilling career and family)! It’s always refreshing and helpful to hear how others are managing their time!
Outside the Box or Outside the ShuBox
Striving for Balance
Striking a Balance
Filling Your Box – how to balance life as a working mother
MD Mom
Planner, MD
Doctor Balance
Podcast name: Working Like a Mother
Like! My vote goes here
I decided to consciously cut social media after I realized that my attention span when reading books, which is my favorite activity in the world, was drastically dropping. I used some apps you suggested and it’s really helped!
Podcast Name:
Work Wife (short, sweet and a reference to a term that I think is funny but never use)
SHU-oop (doop a doop, doop dee doop dee doop dee doop)
Long Days, Short Years
Tiny but Mighty
Phases and Stages (because, kids- and life!)
SHUbox Podcast
SHUbox Out Loud
SHUbox Audio
SHUbox Station
I like the idea of including SHUbox in it somehow.
A Full SHUbox
SHUbox of Life – and you should use the Barenaked Ladies song Shoebox as your theme song! (Although the lyrics are Shoebox of lies which doesn’t really fit – still a super catchy song though.)
What about "Working SHUs"
Podcast name ideas:
MD Mama (tagline: working hard from 8-5 and 5-8)
Confessions of/from Dr. Mom or Dr. Mom Confessions (I like the word confessions b/c confessions can be both the harder aspects of the working mom life but also positive aspects!)
Dr. Mom
The Full Life (touches on work/mothering and again can touch on the hard aspects but a full life is also a very blessed life)
. . .
I so struggle with a balance on IG. I either obtain or I find myself mindlessly scrolling too often! I am not that way with FB or any other social media and it drives me cray! So I usually take a few weeks break and then when I miss it pick it back up again, but not a great long-term solution.
*obstain
Life in Balance was going to be my suggestion!
From scrolling through other ideas, I really like The Busy Season. Incorporating the doctor aspect would make it stand out a little more from all the other lifestyle podcasts.
The Best of Both Worlds
Making Work Work
and (cynically) The Opposite of Child Abuse
I really like The Best of Both Worlds.