The Hit List - The return to social media (only to want to turn away again)

I came back to social media this week after a short “detox.” During that time, I reflected on how I was using social media…and how it was using me. I’ve been thinking long and hard about this for some time, but the extended period away gave me more insight so that I could better discern what might be right for me.

Like many authors, I find social media to be a useful tool for connecting with my audience and talking about my books. I’ve also made dear friends and solid business alliances (mostly from Twitter).

But the past few years have brought a change.

The algorithms are different, which means I don’t get to see the posts I want to. Instead, I’m deluged with ads for stuff I don’t need or care about (how many ads do I need to see about shapewear?). I’ve also found the quality of engagement isn’t the same. Although there are many friendly folks out there, I’ve encountered my share of shady types with dubious agendas. Let’s not forget the imposter problems, plus recent (and problematic) acquisitions.

All of this, plus the desire to reclaim my time for writing and other such things, has put me in a strange spot. Do I quiet quit? Stay but lurk? Ignore all the stuff I hate and keep on doing my thing?

The truth is: I am still trying to find the perfect balance.

Over the course of the past week, I’ve been back to doing my live streams and card-of-the-day posts. Although it’s lovely to see friendly folks again, I found myself feeling a wee bit stressed. The long, slow mornings I was able to savor while in my self-imposed exile were lovely. I want more of those.

It is funny to think that I’ve been frittering away so much energy thinking about this whole thing when perhaps the answer is simpler than cooked rice in a bowl: I want more time. Time to write, hug my new grandchild, sit with my tea, stretch, and dream. You can’t do any of that when you’re knee-deep in the hoopla of social media.

So now I must think of how to trim the fat down to the bone (did I mention that I love fatty meat?). Experimentation is in order. Like a mad scientist in the laboratory of my life, I must find the right blend of time alone and time dedicated to the public. I’m afraid I don’t have any concrete answers and perhaps won’t for a while, so if you’re in the same boat, I’m not helpful.

But maybe, just maybe, if I trust my inner compass, I’ll find my way through the stormy, churlish sea of all this online noise to an oasis that makes sense to me. Until that time comes, I’ll sail on, holding on as loosely as I can in the event it all capsizes anyhow.

Theresa

Other stuff:

Great story: Kelly Harnett Had to Get Free. After helping dozens of her fellow prisoners, a jailhouse lawyer finally found the means to help herself.

About yesterday’s Full Moon in Cancer.

Count me in: Serious Potato Skins.

From Meg Jones Wall: 2023 Is the Year of the Chariot, It’s Time to Ask: What Are You Questioning?

Good: The US Military Expanded Its Paid Leave for New Parents.

Learn about Uranus transits through the signs in the latest Astrology Bytes.

Go Gen Z: Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost on the Power of Gen Z, Family, and Organizing.

I didn’t know this: January Is One Of The Most Notorious Months For Layoffs. Here’s How To Get Through It.

Over at Today: The affirmation to inspire you this year, according to astrology. Go, Stephanie Campos!

From the NY Times: Theresa Fernand, an energy reader and psychic from Boca Raton, Fla., talks about why she is hired for weddings, bridal showers, and bachelorette parties.

Haha: Greta Thunberg Closes Out Her Teen Years with Incredible Clap Back at Twitter Troll.

My biggest winter gripe: How to Prevent and Heal Chapped Lips (Besides Just Using Lip Balm).

I love a good planner. Some of these suggestions are great: The Best Planners For Starting Out 2023 Right.

Must-read post about social media: What Twitter Does to Our Sense of Time by Jenny Odell.

Aliza Kelly is such an amazing astrologer: An Astrological Preview of 2023.

I always have a resolution: What Your New Year’s Resolution Says About You.

Sarah Potter has the scoop: Your 2023 Tarot Card Reading Is Here.

This planner is adorable + user-friendly: Hobonichi Techo Planner Book.

Go dry: Good Drinks: Alcohol-Free Recipes for When You’re Not Drinking for Whatever Reason.

Super cool: Mystic Mondays: The Astro Alignment Deck: A Deck and Guidebook for Celestial Connection.

I love Heidi Rose Robbins: Everyday Radiance: 365 Zodiac-Inspired Prompts for Self-Care and Self-Renewal.

This looks interesting: Finding Your Mystic Self: Guidebook and Spirit Guide Deck.

OMG this cat mug warmer is way too cute!

What happens tomorrow is determined by the decisions you make today. Get my latest book and learn how to stack the odds in your favor:Twist Your Fate: Manifest Success with Astrology and Tarot.

Imagine doing Tarot readings…with a deck that you hand-painted all by yourself. So magical! Get this kit to create your own deck: Create Your Own Tarot Cards: A step-by-step guide to designing a unique and personalized tarot deck. <-Cards are included!

Hey tarot readers: do you have a child in your life who seems to be fascinated with your cards? Get them their very own tarot deck – Tarot For Kids! Tarot For Kids.

If you love Tarot, it’s exciting to reach a point where you no longer rely on “the booklet” to tell you what each card signifies. Learn how to get “off-book” with Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading.

Prefer to listen to your tarot lessons? Check this out: Tarot: No Questions Asked: Mastering the Art of Intuitive Reading is available as an audiobook.

Astrology is a huge topic. But once you understand a few fundamental concepts, you can start doing astrology readings for yourself…or for a friend! Get started with this book, Astrology for Real Life: Astrology for Real Life: A Workbook for Beginners (A No B.S. Guide for the Astro-Curious).

There is an audio version if you prefer: Astrology For Real Life.

The Uncommon Tarot has been called: “An exquisite Tarot deck that honors our diversity with imagery that is nonbinary and inclusive of race and sexual orientation.” It was my honor to co-create this deck with my friend Shaheen Miro. A beautiful addition to your deck collection. The Uncommon Tarot: A Contemporary Reimagining of an Ancient Oracle.

The first book I ever created—and still one of my all-time favorites: The Tarot Coloring Book.

We all have a shadow side—the unappealing parts that we avoid, the parts that need tenderness and compassion. Tarot is a tool to confront your shadow and heal from within: Tarot For Troubled Times. It has rituals, meditations, tarot spreads, and more.

When to launch your next offer. When to pitch that exciting idea. When to send your clients some extra love. And lots more. It’s all inside The Astro-Biz Digest—an astrology report for biz owners. New report comes out every week! The AstroBiz Digest.

Classes

Ready to level up your Tarot skills? Join me for a five-part live workshop: Intermediate Tarot Techniques. Enroll before January 31st and save some dough!

Join my Patreon Community! For just $10 a month, you can get oodles of tarot and astrology goodies – including a hot date with me on the 1st of each month. I do a video broadcast and discuss all the important astrological dates coming up soon. Get more details and sign up: Patreon. Treat yourself!