Social Media Struggles
Hi there, friend!
I have a dilemma, and I'm hoping you can help me out: I don't know how to get back into social media.
Starting back in 2008 and for many years that followed, I posted on Facebook constantly. I happened to be in a very lonely period in my newish life as a stay-at-home mom, and I really felt more connected to the outside world and found a lot of fulfillment in sharing family updates and seeing others’ posts. I remember my mother-in-law, who was a very private woman, saying to me that she'd never seen a family take so many photos of themselves. Ha! There were many things I loved about my life, and I was happy to share them, and I only did it for the fun of it. I think that's part of what allowed me to feel so free in posting so often.
Just one of the many family photos we shared on social media. 2012
Then as my non-screen life and community expanded (and, let's be honest, there were some people in my life who detested social media, so I felt some judgment in posting), my postings slowed. And then came Covid, with all the fear and uncertainty and fighting as people were grappling with what was happening. Overnight, Facebook felt fractured and unsafe. My community here felt fractured and unsafe. As a very social person, who deeply cares about community and the feeling of having community, I felt incredibly isolated and, frankly, traumatized. I didn't feel comfortable posting about anything ... serious or light. And with the arrival of baby #6, life got harder! Anna's birth marked 20 years of my being a mother, and though I knew that starting over (again) would be hard, part of me assumed that all of those years of experience would be an advantage of some kind - and not just a reminder of my struggles with raising little ones. ("But you have big ones to help!" Yes and no. When I had young ones the first time, I wasn't also a parent to big kids nor did I have several teenage role models for my small children). I started my blog again in 2024, just because I felt like I had to document and share our homebuilding process, and it felt contained to that event.
Starting to post again after a long hiatus. 2024
Now to my current dilemma! On a personal level, I want to feel more connected to my family and friends far and wide. On a professional level, Mickey and I are excited to bless future homeowners with our simple, high-quality homes (and that requires letting people know about it, as uncomfortable as that makes me sometimes). I think of posting as kind of like keeping in touch with old friends - it's much easier to reach out (and post) if you've already been connecting regularly. And I am sorely out of practice. Oh, and I know nothing about the world of Instagram! What to post, when to post. And then philosophically, how to show beauty without bragging? Inspire without intimidating (I feel both of these things when looking at many posts!)? How to be honest without oversharing? Maybe the answers seem totally obvious to you, but I’m surprised at how much more reluctant I feel to share these days.
Just starting on Instagram. @themodernshaker @modernshakerhomes
And now to our update: we sold the big house and new house in Stockbridge. And we bought an acre of land near our current house where we'll be building our first official Modern Shaker home. We just had the junk trees and brush cleared, and we're about to drill the well. (Mickey has been making these short videos on YouTube - just the raw, unedited footage - love his commitment to massive imperfect action!) I'll be sharing our plans soon, too. We're excited to build again!
Our new YouTube channel. @ModernShakerHomes
Until next time,
xo Elisa