Life Updates: Introduction

Life update posts used to be something I did often (on my old blog).

With this blog I've been pulled to share more about my experiences around exploring the topics I'm currently resonating with (earth-based living, holistic women's health, spirituality etc) rather than just about my personal life events.

Since I no longer have my Facebook account, and I've recently deleted my most active Instagram accounts (more on this late/in another post), I thought perhaps this blog could be a great way for people to keep up to date with what's going on in my life.

This does mean however, that I will have to share a bit more of my personal life, which is part of the reason why I stopped writing life update posts. I wanted to have more privacy and clear boundaries between my personal life and the content I share online, because even though I share personal thoughts and experiences on certain topics, my life is a different matter altogether.

Why does it matter if someone shares personal content?

Apart from certain privacy reasons (ie I may not wish to share my current location, or images of people's faces without their permission) and the pressure to edit my life to present it in a certain way, the lines between 'life' and 'online content' becomes blurry when one's platform is about one's lifestyle; what I eat during the day, what I get up to in my week, who I socialise with, what I do in my spare time, what I enjoy reading or watching, my morning routine etc

There's a lot of lifestyle content online these days. There isn't anything 'wrong' with them per say, just an observation on what is most watched and becoming more popular online in today's world.

Like I've said before: I'm not immune to any of this.

I too have enjoyed, and still at times enjoy, watching content titled "What I Eat In A Day" or "A Week In My Life" or "A Peaceful Morning Routine" or "Life In the Mountains Alone".

What I'm coming to realise is that even if someone practices authenticity and transparency with their content, there is a big portion of it (perhaps all) that is edited.

Why question 'authentic' content posted online?

We as viewers can begin to forget what we are watching when we believe the person to be trustworthy or feel they genuinely care about their subscribers. They might do, and this post isn't about criticising the creators, it is merely an invitation to pause and reflect on what we are consuming online, even if it seems 'real'.

Because even if the online creator is mindful with the content they are posting and intend to create positive content with their posts, we have to remember we are consuming the content through a technological device.

Why does it matter that I'm viewing it through digital tech?

It matters for people who are still learning about healthier practices when it comes to using digital technology. A lot of people in today's world still don't know how to use digital technology as a tool, therefore can easily spend hours looking at the screen, or not realise how their hunched posture is contributing to their shoulder and neck pains.

Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok (and many other social media platforms) are created to keep you on as long as possible. This is quite easily done when you are not mindful of how much time you are spending online; it's quite easy to get lost in the never-ending vortex of online browsing when you spend many hours of your day on screens.

What does this have to do with Sustainatives Life Update posts?

It's amazing how I didn't plan this blog post to be about practicing mindful online browsing and screen use, but it ended up being one :p

I just wish to invite people to pause and reflect on what it is they're viewing online, and whether it is bring value into their life or not. There is so much online these days, it is very easy to get 'lost' in it all, or feel overwhelmed within minutes of browsing.

I would like to encourage you, as a reader of this blog, to reflect on whether or not reading my blog posts actually brings value into your life. If it does, fantastic! I hope it continues doing so. If it doesn't, or it stops being so, then I encourage you to stop and perhaps pay your attention to something else that is actually helpful.

My 'Life Update' posts may not be of interest to many people on here, and that's okay. They are mostly written for family and friends who wish to keep up to date with where I'm at and what I'm up to.

Same goes for people who wish to just receive life updates and aren't really interested in any of my other posts; do what feels best for you.

In conclusion

This blog post is basically an invitation, caution and a disclaimer all rolled into one :p

To continue asking yourself while being online:

What am I looking at (watching/reading)?

Is it bringing value into my life?

Does this feel connective or disconnective?

And observe the answers that come up.