Perception: a way of regarding, understanding, or interpreting something; a mental impression
I finally broke up with social media last month. Well, sort of. I’ve grown tired of being perceived, perceiving others, and believing there’s a way for me to show up fully and authentically on via social media. I’ve wanted to break away from social media ever since I started using it for work full-time nearly 10 years ago during an internship.
The unspoken pressures to be a consistent and engaging creative entrepreneur (even though I hate capitalism), well-rounded activist (even when I need a nap), hyper-romantic partner (even when I want a best friend out of a partner), and perfectly-connected friend (when “out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t mean I don’t love you—just I’m a friend with ADHD) have left me burnt out. Sis is tired!
Don’t get me wrong, I love witnessing cultural moments—from a chair during the Birmingham Brawl becoming a symbol of resistance to all things Renaissance—and have also found solace in videos of cute pandas. Social media has given me memes, trends, new recipes, and videos that spark deep belly laughs when I need respite from all that this world brings. Like this one from last week’s earthquake in New York last week!
There’s more on my social media exit below. But first, *drumroll, please*
Your Creative Intimacy Coach (err, umm Creativity Doula) is here!
I’ll figure out my title over the next few months. What matters is that I completed the first six months and Core Training for Somatica® Institute and can officially say that I’m trained in the Somatica® Method! My cohort has the next six months “off” from training to put what we’ve learned into practice, build our businesses, and discover what works for us and the people we want to work with. We’ll meet again in October for the Advanced Training which will lead to certification in March 2025.
I’d consider myself a creative intimacy coach/intimacy coach/creative doula (again, I’ll tweak this as I get in the flow of practice!) for the church girls (& gworls!), creative artists, and activists. If that’s you, let’s talk about getting embodied! Applications are open and sessions will begin after April 29th.
On leaving social media
Most of my social media presence—particularly on Instagram and TikTok—has left me wondering if I’m doing enough and if other people are doing enough. Social media spaces, as much as they connect us, don’t always show the full picture or leave space for nuance and curiosity.
I’m hyper-aware of random details about what people choose to show—what I choose to show you—but I’m far from genuinely connected to people through social media. And that doesn’t feel good for me anymore. It’s not enough. Sustainable connection happens for me outside of social media.
And so, I’ve left.
I’m releasing myself from the pressure of trying to create content around the most authentic version of myself. That woman exists only in real life—and at most, through written words like this newsletter. She’s complicated, and nuanced, and reinvents herself for every birthday. For years, it has been difficult and emotionally draining to try to capture that version of me on social media. But, I don’t have to.
I still have apps to manage social for clients and I will post announcements about Social Soundtrack—writing workshops and co-writing sessions, music playlists, reading recommendations, and event announcements.
But I won’t use the social media I still have like other brands. I’m not concerned about my strategy, engagement, going viral, or audience retention. I know that sounds like blasphemy coming from someone who’s been working in communications and storytelling for so long. It will be a bulletin board for church announcements about all the things happening through Social Soundtrack and the cool people, organizations, and brands I get to collaborate with.
It’s already been almost four weeks since removing my personal identity from social media and I feel refreshed—admittedly anxious sometimes. I’ve already started replacing the dopamine hits with the New York Times gaming app—yep, I’m a Wordle Girlie—and may have found the cure to finally make a dent in my ever-growing to-be-read pile as I’ve finished five books since deleting the apps. 😅
But LySaundra will no longer be perceived (or perceiving others) on these social media apps. Meet me in real life (& this newsletter), nerds. ✌🏾
Write It Out:
Write about a time when breaking up with the old version of you was the best thing to do. What feelings came up for you? What relief and joy was on the other side?
Reserve your spot for co-writing sessions all month long. Meet me on Zoom every Thursday in April at 11 am ET for prompts, playlists, and a chill space to bring your works-in-progress.
What I’m Reading & Listening To:
A Love Song for Ricki Wilde by Tia Williams
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
Devout: A Memoir of Doubt by Anna Gazmarian
The Creative Cut Up had a podcast episode about rejection.
I haven’t gotten tickets (yet), but this Kaleidoscope song from the Broadway show Hell’s Kitchen is catchy and makes me feel like I’m on top of the world.
Check out more reading suggestions at my Bookshop:
Thank you for supporting this space and ongoing journey. Moving forward, this newsletter will no longer have paywalls; all content will be available, but if you’d like to support the life of a full-time creative, here’s a special Spring offer. If you’d prefer just supporting Social Soundtrack without the emails, I have a crowdfunding space here.
For Justice & Joy,
LySaundra Janeé