On FOMO and Limiting Social Media
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It's time to get personal... I have a problem.

I've been seriously struggling with FOMO (the fear of missing out) and social media exhaustion for the past year or so. Lately, it feels like everywhere I turn (or scroll) there's something amazing happening that I wasn't invited to or don't have the means / time / energy to make happen for myself and for my family. There's a constant nagging pressure to occupy some kind of virtual space. What started out as a fun way to keep up with friends, pass the time and gather inspiration has become quite a chore and a major source of self doubt. With a seemingly endless number of social platforms to maintain and a constant influx of pretty pictures and perfect moments, it's increasingly hard to stay afloat in this digital world.

A phenomenon brought on by the (mostly) new propensity to document every single aspect of our lives, FOMO has become more than just a cheesy acronym used to describe Saturday nights (or, for some of us, a lack thereof). For me, the fear of missing out or missing a post has become really hard to navigate. You may have noticed that I've been taking a step back on Instagram and sharing fewer posts than ever on this blog. My hiatus pretty much boils down to a feeling of "freezing up" and overthinking the content I'm putting out into the world. Is it enough? Will it resonate? Is it just more of the same? The desire to create bigger and better things coupled with the pressure to be original, keep up with the next five bloggers and be innovative has become all but crippling. While I'm still not in the best place with social media, a major period of quiet has been so helpful in finding my footing again.

If, like me, you're in dire need of a detox, here are a few (mostly obvious) ways to combat FOMO and social overload:

distance //  The best thing to do when you're feeling the social media anxiety is to create distance. Take a break from Instagram, unfollow the feeds that make you feel like you're lacking and steer clear of the problem. It's almost second nature now to reach for our phones and scroll through updates when there's a lull in the day or first thing in the morning but being present in the real world (read: not taking place behind a tiny screen) is paramount. Although it seems like completely giving up an online life just isn't an option anymore (I'm in major awe of those who can pull this off but blogging as a profession and having friends / family all over the world seems to prevent me from totally unplugging), you CAN control how often and when you engage.

worry about yourself // Your life is not the life of your neighbor. Try your hardest not to compare your journey with everyone else and remember that everything will happen for you in its own time. I'm still working on this one!

realize you're not the only one struggling // I'd go as far as to say that we're all learning how to wade through the ocean of social media comparison and the fear of missing out. While it may not seem this way (damn those pretty feeds and their way of convincing you that everyone's life is sunshine and flat-lays), we're all navigating the new digital world together. Take a step back and reconcile that you're not the only one having a hard time with this. Seek out friends or start up an honest conversation. I'm always here to chat if you're feeling down!

learn to see the highlight reel for what it is // It's not real. That's what it all comes down to, isn't it? Most of those pretty posts are staged and people aren't as likely to snap and share the moments that aren't all smiles. It can feel like everyone else is living their best life but try and remember that we all get into PJs and eat rocky road in front of the TV. Just me?

be grateful // Whenever I start feeling like I don't have this, that and the other I try to dial back and be grateful for the things that I do have. I have a beautiful family, a roof over my head and food in my belly. I have the time and grace to explore my passions and make mistakes. I have made wonderful connections turned friends. What do you have?

find social channels that feed you, not tax you // Taking some time away from social media has really helped me identify the things I do and do not like about it all. Likes: staying connected, sharing memories, being inspired, creating. Dislikes: competition, pressure, feeling left behind. I have weeded out the social channels that feel taxing (for me that's a few of the more boring outlets like Twitter, Google+, etc.) and identified the ones that feed my soul with inspiration (Pinterest and Tumblr for collecting pretty images and bright ideas). Then there are those double-edged swords (Instagram and Facebook) that seem to do a little bit of both. I'm still learning how to use these to connect in authentic ways and do away with the features that don't serve me.

get over yourself (sorry) // This bit of advice is more for myself but get over yourself. There is so much more going on in the world than social media. Find some perspective and re-evaluate the energy you're putting into things that don't serve a bigger purpose.

p.s. It was almost an instinct to sign off from this post with a plug to my own social media feeds but instead I'll say this:

You are not the summation of a grid filled with tiny squares. You are so much more than the 82 people that liked your latest #shelfie.

How do you feel about social media? How do you deal with the pressure to be the perfect 'grammer? Do you suffer from FOMO? How do you cope? Let's talk it out!

January Mood + What I Should Be Wearing
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We're now squarely into January and all of the newness from the holidays has finally worn off. I'm still just as excited as ever to dig into my goals for 2017 but it's business as usual around here lately and that's okay too. As always, I'm feeling the moody vibes and scheming ways to feel creative this month. I've been nesting a little (no forthcoming babies just a desire to really settle into our space) and am making big progress getting things done around the house. It's a never-ending battle but the journey sure is fun! How are you feeling lately?

The weather has been all over the place this January (think snow and 70 degree mugginess in the same week) and my wardrobe is taking quite the beating because of it. I'd much rather be wearing a fun fur jacket and the perfect minimal mules this month.

zara faux fur coat & soft touch sweater, re/done seamed high rise denim, katerina makriyianni fan earringsjenni kayne black leather mules

p.s. I've been trying to heed my own call for depth and discovery but what's another outfit wishlist every once in a while?

LifestyleChelsea Jackson
Welcome to 2017 + goals for the new year

Happy 2017! Even though I always know it's coming, it never ceases that I'm shocked when the new year arrives. The older I get, the more time it takes to adjust to the change of a new calendar year. Undoubtedly, I'll be recovering from an awesome holiday season and getting back into the swing of things for a few days still but I'm so excited to plug myself back in after a couple weeks of disconnected living. A break is always the right thing to get me excited to create again.

With the beginning of a new year always comes the desire to turn over a new leaf and resolutions have always been my favorite catalyst for imagining what the next twelve months will be like. I've recently made some really big changes and I feel as if 2016 was a true period of self discovery. I'm grateful for having been exposed to the industry I hope to call home, an unmitigated kick in the pants I didn't know I needed to shake things up and suss out my goals, a newfound sense of self and purpose spurred by the outcome of a crazy election year and so many things that were revealed to me throughout 2016. I'm lucky to have a healthy, beautiful, supportive family that was able to travel and learn a lot this year. Without dwelling too much on what's in the past, I'm looking to the upcoming seasons with excitement and fervor. I can't wait to dive into 2017 with a few new (and old) goals to guide my way. Here are my resolutions for the new year:

make big strides toward career independence // I'm keeping things pretty vague here but I'm headed back to school for a broad degree that will undoubtedly help me kick off something I've been pondering for quite some time. One of the most important things that the last couple of years has taught me is that I long to be my own boss. Separate from this space, I've worked both independently and in tandem/for other people in the past. This year made it abundantly clear to me that I want to create a viable business for and by myself. I'm hopeful that the steps I'm making now will help me navigate the opening of something I can call home for a while. I plan to share more as details firm up but for now, wish me all sorts of general luck and stay tuned!

reconfigure hazel + scout // You might have noticed a decline in content over the past year and it has come as a direct symptom of confusion. I've been unsure of this blog's direction for a while and am just starting to figure it all out. What began six years ago as an admittedly superficial creative outlet for a very young twenty-something is growing and changing (hopefully alongside me). I've lost the desire to trudge out and craft posed 'outfit of the day' posts or roundup a ton of products every week (although you may still see those things from time to time... just in a more organic way). As I have matured, the content I take pride in has shifted. I have no plans to let go of this space but I want to use this blog to chronicle creative undertakings, open up discussion about current events, empower women and cultivate beauty. I have been dreaming up (and teasing) a new series for a few months and I am finally making steps to its inception. What this all means is that Hazel + Scout will change in 2017. I hope you'll continue to follow along as things get a little more free-form and introspective. I hope we can deepen our connection but still share a love of beautiful things in the coming year.

p.s. I welcome your feedback! Is there anything you want to see here? Is there anything you could do without? If you love this space, why?

spend more time consuming culture // I have a sneaking feeling that if I really broke down and accounted for all of my hours in the last year I would have spent most of them doing things that do not feed my soul. Social media and trivial pursuits dominated my time in 2016 and I want to spend this year consuming more art, literature, fresh air and less Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Bravo TV.

self care // This is something that I didn't prioritize last year (even though it was on of my resolutions for 2106). I have always had a hard time putting myself first and it's no surprise to me that I haven't been taking care of myself as well as I should have. I spent a lot of 2016 stressed, busy, preoccupied and probably dehydrated. This year I hope to really reconcile that self care is not selfish and spend more time tending to my mind and body. Good old resolution standbys like making healthy choices and being more active definitely fall into this category as well as sorting out a beauty routine and stealing away some alone time to recharge.

While I definitely have a long list of smaller goals, these are four major themes of 2017. Hopefully I can navigate this coming year with grace and an open mind. I look forward to going deeper with you and continuing to share the things that inspire me and light a fire in my belly. I am so thankful that you've chosen to spend time here with me (no matter how much) and can't wait to create some wonderful things in 2017. Thank you for your support! What are your goals for the new year?

Curious about last year's resolutions? Head back to this post and see how I kept up.

 

 

LifestyleChelsea Jackson