I recently read an article about Pinterest and how it can be used to grow a brand/business/online social status. I am a member although not an active one really. Shortly after I signed up, I recognized that it can be addictive and lead to many unproductive hours spent looking at pretty pictures. *Gasp*
But that’s just me. Apparently, Pinterest is growing in popularity. Everyone is raving about it and everyone wants more of it.
But I digress.
In the article there were numerous tips on how to use Pinterest properly and effectively. Most ideas were pretty basic and made logical sense (connect it to Facebook, repin a lot, etc.). One point made me twitchy though: pin during downtime. On a surface it makes sense to pin whenever you have a spare moment.
But downtime is there for a reason. We all need it to rest our brains. We need to unplug, disconnect and get away from all digital once a while.
We need those minutes in a day when we do absolutely nothing, when we clear our heads and just breathe. Those moments give us more energy, refresh our minds and keep us going. Without those little break we become exhausted and wound up, we become robots who constantly have a need to press buttons to feel alive and connected.
In this race for popularity, money and status we risk becoming nothing but hopeless machines chasing the latest trends and hottest social networks. Rather than doing one thing right, we’re spreading ourselves thin by being everywhere and doing everything. Our time is being highjacked by endless choices, by access to ever-changing and ever-growing technology, by being able to connect from everywhere anytime, always being on the grid and available.
How much more are we expected to do: tweet, like, blog, pin, stumble, tag, follow, comment, update, reply, click, click, click?
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I read a lot about 2012 being the year we realize we are too connected, the year when we become truly overwhelmed with information overload. Some predict this will be a year when many decide to get “off the grid” more. This has already began last year and I blogged about my need for digital change as well.
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I applaud all those who use their downtime to grow their following on Pinterest, market their blog any chance they get and are on Twitter 24/7. I wish I had such powers.
But I need balance. I need as much offline as online time in my life. I need my downtime to connect with reality and catch a breath as I parent, work and handle everything else life throws at me.
And I’m doing my best to not become a robot.
Photographing kids can be difficult. Yet sometimes I manage to take a quite decent shot. This one’s a keeper!
There is nothing quite like a dose of seasonal depression or whatever you want to call this bout of blues many of us are experiencing these days to make your day suck. And I’ve had some sucky days lately.
Over the last month or so, I’ve been consumed by feelings of sadness and exhaustion. I’ve been wanting to hide or, better yet, hibernate for the next few months so that I don’t have to deal with life and this crippling desperate state I’ve been in. It’s been overwhelming and I’m tired of feeling this way. I want to get out of the hole. I want to take a full breath of air and feel like I can do this, like I can do anything!
So in a desperate act of trying to fight this headless monster, I’d like manifest my love for the many things that bring joy, smile, things that make my soul happy,
Today I am thankful for:
I’m surrounded by a funny bunch on Twitter. I wish I was half as funny as those guys. But then again, there’s no such thing as perfection, yo.
Thanks for sprinkling my days with awesomeness, making me giggle and keeping it fun. Also, I want to be just like you when I grow up.
@KelleysBreakRm
Knew it was about to get ugly when I saw the lady enter the stall with her own can of Lysol.
@AnissaMayhew
You know what? BJ’s should be next door to Dick’s.
@Sundry
Used the gym’s childcare today for the first time and it was so freeing I can’t believe I spent that time on a fucking treadmill.
@snipeyhead
Dear farty cow-orker: either you plug that leak, or I will.
@HotComesToDie
Mom talking to one of her friends in Paris about staying with me. Hey Mom, I know what “idiote” and “les miserables” mean.
@Greeblemonkey
“Hungry Like The Wolf” is on the oldies station. Off to gag myself to death with a spoon.
@BackpackingDad
My only advice to new parents: Enjoy being new parents. When they can yell “I hate this family!” you need some memories.
@ShredderFeeder
8 Shots of espresso today… I’m wondering if cocaine might be cheaper at this point.
@Wildsau
Dear feverish nose-picker beside me at the last 2 lights: I’m guessing your favorite song is U2′s “Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For”
@WhyIsDaddyCryin
dear sleep lords…please sprinkle your shit all over my loverly little bastard kids so that I may enjoy a late morning…please? PLEASE!!?!
@redneckmommy
My daughter is giving me a pedicure. This right here is why I had unprotected sex 15 years ago.
@BusyDadBlog
I’m wearing a wifebeater and fixing a faucet. I’ve never felt more like a man.
@RedheadWriting
Holy shitsnacks. My computer is apparently kicked heroin over the weekend and is bein’ all twitchy.
@moooooog35
Foosball: $200. Kinect: $150. Misc games & toys: $600. Seeing the kids’ faces as the house goes into foreclosure after Xmas: priceless.
@TheBloggess
On behalf of Texas, I’d just like to apologize for Rick Perry.
“Love, expressed”
So you know how I wrote that I’ve been feeling down, overwhelmed, unworthy and generally sad for weeks now? Yeah, that. And when you feel like THAT the last thing on your mind is sex. Well, as sex can be an escape from reality, however momentary, maybe for some sex is the way to go. Not for me.
And herein lies a problem.
Because while hubby wants to “get it on”, I’m all about “I want to talk, ok?”.
My husband does not talk much, especially about feelings. Am I shocked by this? Not really; many men don’t. And it’s hard for me too. So we often struggle.
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While the environment I grew up in was loving, I don’t recall getting spontaneous hugs and kisses from my parents. EVER. It could be my selective memory but it’s most likely because we grew up in a bleak and cold society of socialist Poland and there was just no room for feelings. People didn’t show love and emotions and certainly didn’t bother to talk to kids about it.
Being distant and reserved was the norm. Telling your kid you love them wasn’t. I never heard those words so I guess I never knew for sure.
I’m still struggling with being distant and reserved. Instead of talking it out I bottle it all in. Until the top pops off with a bang!
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Through my adult years I slowly learned to express and talk about love without feeling awkward, learned to not be ashamed to show it and to accept it from others. But only after having children I realized that I still could not open myself to others, let go of my inhibitions, talk about how I feel. It’s hard to cross those barriers when they’re engraved into your soul and are part of who you are.
For once, my kids simplified that. I shower my kids with hugs, kisses, smiles and cuddles all day long. There is not a day that goes by without me goofing around with them, holding their hand, telling them how much I love them or helping them navigate their own emotional battles.
Expressing love for my children comes naturally. And if there is one thing I want them to know is that they are loved.
I don’t want them to ever doubt that they are worth loving.
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I’ve grown a lot over the last decade. But I still have moments when I feel like I don’t deserve the love my husband gives me. Because how could a messed up person with so many flaws be loved by ANYONE? Maybe that’s why I try to poke holes everywhere – just to prove myself right?
So when I feel down I often find myself asking my husband why he loves me.
And I wait for him to tell me words that will puts me at ease with myself, calm my irrational anxieties, make me feel safe, make me feel like I matter, make me feel loved. The surprising thing is that it doesn’t much matter which exact words he uses. Most of the time just hearing him talk helps. I know he’s there for me. With or without sex.
Oh, how I’m going to miss those tiny fingers, scrumptious toes, cute elbow dimples, chubby arms. I can’t imagine my life without them.
Even though I don’t want you to ever grow up, you’re getting taller, smarter, faster, more confident and independent. I hope you’ll stay just as close though.
So, while I love watching you discover life and your place in it, I’m also sad. I’m afraid of being left behind. I’m afraid that I’ll only be left with memories of those countless hugs and kisses instead of being reminded every day of how they feel.
Ever since I rebooted this blog in September, I’ve been experimenting with different kinds of posts to see what sticks and to find “my voice”. This site has also been intentionally left under-designed for that very same reason.
The goal was to start fresh and be myself, instead of trying to be who I thought my readers wanted me to be, instead of trying to fit certain molds, standards, expectations. Yes, I want for this blog to reflect who I am, be truly mine.
“The biggest challenge in life is to be yourself in a world that is trying to make you like everybody else.” ~ unknown
I’m getting there, although there’s still lots of self-doubt, soul searching and uncertainty.
There’s also fear about loosing my anonymity and privacy while I open up and expose my soul for everyone to see.
I’m yet to find that balance.
My name is Joanna Ciolek and I'm a social media junkie, family gal (mom to three boys), passionate web designer, photographer, techie, wine and sushi lover.
I'm also the owner of BOCO Creative, web design & strategy studio in Denver, Colorado.
