Recently, Joss Whedon—director of both Avengers films, creator of the Buffyverse, and nerd icon—left Twitter. Despite some early erroneous reports as to why he left, Whedon was quick to clear up the record:
I just thought, Wait a minute, if I’m going to start writing again, I have to go to the quiet place….And this is the least quiet place I’ve ever been in my life….It’s like taking the bar exam at Coachella.
In another report on his departure, Whedon is quoted as saying:
The real issue is me….Twitter is an addictive little thing, and if it’s there, I gotta check it. When you keep doing something after it stops giving you pleasure, that’s kind of rock bottom for an addict.
I think Whedon is on to something here. In fact, a few celebrities have ditched social media—even more amazing is how many celebrities refuse to join in the first place—and I wonder if they have found something that we in the Church need to encourage: space.
Creating Space and Silence for God to Fill
Two years ago, I was preparing to take another class for my master’s degree, but before I could register for my class, I had to meet with my advisor. I called, emailed, emailed the department chair, called again, and emailed again. No response. No meeting. No class. At that point, I concluded that God didn’t what me to take a class. A month and a half later, I was directing a new ministry at my church. If I had taken that class, I wouldn’t have had the space to do something for God that I’d wanted to do for years.
Now, I offer that example because I’m terrible at creating space. God had to prevent me from filling up more space with graduate classes. Even now, I’m being forced into a discussion—with myself—about two projects that I love (my podcast and my weekly newsletter) that aren’t benefiting me at all and are actually taking up far too much time.
Quitters Never Win…Except When They Quit Social Media
Bob Goff, in his book Love Does, offers up a method he has for creating space: every Thursday, he quits something. Now, Bob can do this because he also says “yes” to a lot of opportunities. He’s always adding new things and removing old things that he no longer feels passionate about or connected to. Part of our problem in the Church is that we hold on to commitments or projects that we have long since stopped caring about. And maybe we should try to rekindle our passion, but maybe we should also be honest and responsible enough to walk away.
Do you need to quit Twitter? Or Facebook? Do you need to join Google+ and then quit it? (Do you get it?) Is there some project that you’ve undertaken but have lost the passion for? Then, maybe it’s time to quit.
You know what? I’ve decided to shut down my newsletter. It sucks, but I’m not getting a good return on my time. I’m also going to put my podcast on an extended hiatus. Why not quit it entirely? Because I know I love podcasting, and I do have a passion for my show. The problem isn’t my desire; it’s space. I need more space, more margin. So I’ll put the podcast in mothballs until some of my more pressing projects are wrapped up.
Create some space, friends. Quit something, even if it’s a good something. It might just be something that you need a break from.
Do you need to make some space in your life?
What can you quit or cut out of your daily schedule?
[Whedon Quote #1 via EW.com/Christopher Rosen | Quote #2 via The Guardian/Benjamin Lee | Exit image via PhotoGraham via Compfight cc]
Eric Dye says
Some real food for thought here, Phil. Thank you.
Phil Schneider says
Thanks. I’ll definitely be chewing on this for a while myself.
Brodie Krause says
*Reads the remark about joining then quitting Google+*
*shakes fist*
*wipes solitary tear from eye*
Phil Schneider says
In reality, I really am considering joining G+. I think it’s a much better network than FB. It’s all about timing, since I have to use FB for work.
Eric Dye says
LOL
Chris Wilson says
Great challenge Phil. It’s a shame about the newsletter and podcast but I remember something Patrick Rohne said “Saying no to one thing, is saying yes to something else.” It makes me wonder about which network I would give up, if I had to give one up? I like the communities and interactions on Google+ (yes Jeremy and I love G+), twitter has some old friends, Facebook has friends I\ve met and is an easy way to contact some people. and Pinterest feels the least social networky for me and has a great serves at providing creative inspiration.
It’s probably something I should do. Maybe running a trial of dropping each one for a month and see which resulted in the greatest loss.
Thanks for the challenge.
Phil Schneider says
Thanks for the great comment, Chris! I’m having a really hard time dropping projects that I love. I think the easiest test might be to get busy for a weekend and see which social media network you’re last and least excited to check. That’s the one to cull.
Tim Baker says
I have been thinking these things for a while. Thank you for writing this post! It is kind of like you were saying the things I was thinking in a way that makes sense. Were you reading my mind? 😉
Sometimes quitting the good gives us opportunity to find the better.
Phil Schneider says
Thanks, Tim. I certainly agree. My pastor just recently taught on this topic and that’s part of what got me thinking, so if anyone’s been reading your mind, it’s him.
Believer says
Social Media is Dangerous – All aspects of your life will be exposed, exploited for monetary gain and/or persecution!
Want to know what happened since eat24 closed their Facebook page??? (Spoiler Alert: Nothing).
http://blog.eat24.com/breakup-letter-to-facebook-from-eat24/
http://blog.eat24.com/eat24-life-after-facebook/
Phil Schneider says
Dude, you sound sort of crazy. To be honest, every single aspect of your digital life is being tracked and recorded. Not just social media. Ditch your phone, laptop, and wifi if you truly want to begin to be safe.