I remember feeling like Instagram was a creative hub, bursting with opportunity and life! It was everything I’d dreamed of as a creative...until it wasn’t.
Suddenly, this little patch of squares was draining me...as if it were stealing my joy. Robbing me of the creativity I so easily boasted of.
Instead of the bubbly, vibrant, full of "inspiration and ideas" creative I know I am, I began feeling overwhelmed, irrelevant, and lost.
But, how? Instagram is just an app, right?
Except, it isn’t. It’s people.
Hundreds, of thousands, of millions of people find their social fix on this platform every single day. 2 billion in fact!
That’s 2 billion people who have an opportunity to impact my two or so hours of scrolling time (and already, that timeframe is two hours TOO LONG).
That’s far too many people who have some form of influence in my life - who influence what I think and how I feel.
If you thought "influencers" are the only beings who have the power to influence, think again. ANYONE you choose to click FOLLOW on Instagram have some level of influence in your life - negative or positive.
For me personally, I started to notice far too much comparison, along with far too much empty mind space - the scroll became a little too much like second nature and after what felt like minutes, I realized had been hours of mindless scrolling.
NOT. OK.
This is NOT the influence I desire for my life.
And so, on my 29th birthday, I deleted Instagram from my phone. I focused purely on who I should be and developed myself into a person who ONLY lived with intention!
I also began my third year of Bible school at RHEMA BIBLE TRAINING COLLEGE right here in Samoa! I read my Bible freely and fell even more in love with Jesus. I didn't need to keep putting my phone away or try my hardest to concentrate, because I no longer had notifications blowing up my phone.
I worked out really hard without needing to post to prove it.
I wrote songs just because I wanted to.
I even planned a lavish affair under the stars to marry my best friend! And I didn’t feel a hint of pressure to post about it ✨ BLISS!
(No really, this is what BLISS looks like)
On my 30th birthday, I came back on @sincerely.alexiarae with so much freedom in my heart! I unfollowed a ton of accounts that purely "entertained" me - not that that's a bad thing, it's just not why I want to be here - and focused more on following accounts who either help me learn something vital about living a well balanced life, who inspire me in the areas of my dreams and passions, and MOST IMPORTANTLY, who keep me fixated and excited about living life with JESUS CHRIST!
Since my return, I am convinced I can be on social media and thrive! I log on, fill my cup from accounts who bless my heart, not trouble it, and I log off determined to continue living my beautiful life!
It's so easy to be in this social space and feel free - like a breath of fresh air, or warm sunshine on a cool summer's day, or jumping in a pool of fresh water! It just feels RIGHT ✨
And that's exactly how it should feel.
My friend, I believe you are destined for great things.
I believe you too, can operate on Instagram and any other without succumbing to the pressures of COMPARISON, UNWORTHINESS, FAILURE, REJECTION, or ADDICTION.
HOWEVER, it will only happen if you have the will power to choose it.
Quit the scroll, take control, and choose LIFE!
Whatever it is that is holding you back isn’t worth another minute of your time.
Be bold and unfollow those accounts that are robbing from you - I know YOU KNOW the ones.
Then jump back on the follow train and head to my personal FOLLOW list and find some truly special accounts that are guaranteed to bring back a pep in your step!
I know social media can get real lonely, but I want you to know something important...
...you’re never alone.
God is always here for you!
Deuteronomy 31.8 says, " Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
If you're a child of God, you can count on that truth! And if you aren't, understand that God desires nothing more than to be your Father, your Helper, and your Friend forever and ever.
John 3.16-17 says “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him."
*This text is written in RED LETTERS to record the words of Jesus Himself.
You can message me personally on @sincerely.alexiarae if you'd like to learn more about what JOHN 3.16 can mean for you.
God believes in you. ✨
I believe in you. ✨
Let's make 2024 the year we show up, focus, and be the people we were destined to become!✨
Sincerely,
Alexia-Rae.
Ps. Head to this exact post on Instagram to learn where I sourced this stunning floral dress. She's a Samoan local too ;) ✨