The Hit List - Rethinking social media

My friend Alexandra Franzen abandoned social media years ago. I remember when she pulled the plug. At that time, I thought it was a bold but risky move. But she is happier without it – and her business is thriving.

I’ve been on social media since 2009. For the most part, it’s been fun. I’ve been able to connect with fantastic people from every corner of the world. Some of these folks have become dear friends.

But lately…I’ve begun to feel different. Things have changed…and it’s not for the better.

Facebook has become so depressing, I spend almost no time there. I’ll dip in for birthday greetings but slip out just as fast when I scroll through the feed of non-stop complaints. A few months back, I learned someone I thought was cool had taken a screenshot of something I posted – and shared it with someone in a mocking way. As you can imagine, this made me question that person…but also the wisdom of posting things over there.

And then there’s the Instagram problem.

At one point, Instagram seemed like a solution, a fun place to share photos and more. I began doing live streams and building a little community. I’ve done what I can to keep the vibe high and helpful – but that’s become harder due to the proliferation of scam accounts, which Instagram seems to shrug off as NBD.

I’ve written about these scammers before. You can read this post and this one.

Many fellow metaphysical pros have been dealing with these imposter accounts too. Some of our followers got duped and lost money. It seems as if one account gets taken down and another one pops up immediately. It’s a game of whack-a-mole over there.

Because Instagram is lax about removing these scumbags, the metaphysical community is forced to deal with this on our own. There’s even a “scammer alert page” up now to help take these bastards down. We’re fighting back – but really…we shouldn’t have to. These social media platforms should be safe for content creators and consumers.

On top of all this nonsense, I can’t get verified by Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter no matter how many times I apply. I’m a traditionally published author with six books under my belt – and two more on the way. I’ve been featured in many podcasts, blogs, etc. But still…nope. I’m not “notable.” (Yet folks with a fraction of my following are verified. Go figure.) That blue checkmark would surely help.

Luckily, I do have my website, newsletter, and Patreon account – safe spaces for me to interact with my community and share information. At least there is that. For others who have based their whole business via Instagram, I cannot imagine what will happen if the current trends continue. Frankly, it’s foolish to put all of your business eggs in one online basket that could be snatched away from you at a moment’s notice.

All of this is making me rethink my relationship with social media. If it’s not safe for my business, brand, personal life, mental health, and most importantly, my followers, then why be on it?

I don’t have the answers right now but I do have time to think about this. Perhaps one day I’ll follow Alex’s lead and disengage completely. It’s certainly something to consider.

A pretty row of pumpkins.

Other stuff:

Excellent post from Meg Jones Wall: Stripe Discriminates Against Witches.

So cool: Huge restored mosaic unveiled in Jericho desert castle.

In other interesting archeology finds: Archaeologists unearth ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ discovery of complete Roman statues in the U.K.

10 Simple D.I.Y Halloween Costumes For Those Last Minute-Ers.

Sarah Potter joined me on Tarot Bytes to talk about how we got started with reading tarot, writing about it, and creating decks.

From Refinery29: Sex Re-Education. Why didn’t we learn this in school?

I love this post: When a Wheelchair Becomes a Magical Chariot. Seven families share their stories of putting together the perfect Halloween costumes for children with special needs.

Love this post: Embrace The Chaos Of A Suburban Book Club.

What happens when you use Divine Your Dinner to create a meal? This person found out.

Have you checked out my Ultra-Deluxe Superfly Astrological Guide to 2022 yet?

Watch this video on quitting social media from Cal Newport.

When the mystical goes mainstream: how tarot became a self-care phenomenon.

Did you check out Jessica Dore’s book, Tarot for Change: Using the Cards for Self-Care, Acceptance, and Growth, yet?

So beautiful: Witchcraft. The Library of Esoterica.

I want to read this: The Man Who Hated Women: Sex, Censorship, and Civil Liberties in the Gilded Age.

Interested in this: The 12 Week Year for Writers: A Comprehensive Guide to Getting Your Writing Done.

Ooooh: Manifesting Through Meditation: 100 Guided Practices to Harness the Power of Your Thoughts and Create the Life You Want.

Haha I would have loved this when I was a kid: Create Your Own Secret Language: Invent Codes, Ciphers, Hidden Messages, and More.

Need this: Better Daily Self-Care Habits: Simple Changes with Lifelong Impact.

I got The Numinous Cosmic Year: Your Astrological Almanac by Bess Matassa and I LOVE IT.

Kids (and adults) love Tarot For Kids! Did you get your copy?

Learn how to read tarot like the High Priestess with Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading. This book is filled with all the lessons and advice I’ve shared with my students over the years.

If you prefer to listen to your tarot lessons, I’ve got your back: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

Can’t make heads or tails out of astrology? I’ll bet this book could help you out: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

Tarot deck collectors! Did you get a copy of The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle? You know you need more tarot, right?

Learn tarot in a playful way with The Tarot Coloring Book. It’s soooo fun!

If you’ve been struggling, get a copy of Tarot For Troubled Times. There are many helpful tools and tarot spreads to get you through the worst times.

Coming soon! Learn to Paint Tarot Cards: An artist’s guide to creating colorful personalized tarot cards and Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot. (I’ve been busy!)

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