Love it 🙌💗 Social media is not worth our wellbeing. I’ve decided to show up to post and limit my scrolling — and take weekend sabbaths. Just that practice alone is making a huge difference.
Thank you for this! When I feel like I have to "follow the rules" my creativity dries up. My words are inspired by my life, nature, and what God puts on my heart to write about. Isn't that how it should be as this gift of writing was given to me by the greatest Creator of all? Amen!
I agree! Performative pressing and prescriptions really do kill creativity and what makes each writer's voice unique and sacred. Ray Bradbury is amazing because he's the only Ray Bradbury. The same goes for Maya Angelou, Ernest Hemingway, and Fitzgerald. Can you imagine if these writers were in our time and gave in to the algorithms and formulas?
Thank you. 😊 I found myself feeling the same yesterday and last night as I lamented to Jesus, I asked Him to remind me often that “comparison” is actually wrong. It is compare-a-sin, if it helps you to remember it that way.
I came to the same conclusion. Will I work to get better? Absolutely! Will I seek to learn? Always. But not without remembering the entire point of my Heaven, Hope, and Healing blog - to help those He brings my way.
Yes, I will do my best to serve them with the near-death and scriptural heaven research and experiences. This includes expanding my horizons, as He asks.
But I will NOT compare. Truly, I think the reason it is a sin is because we rarely come out on top when we do that. It affects our mental health. Jesus knew that. Plus, He made us unique, just like we are. To start focusing otherwise discounts our Creator and Greatest Love. At least for it does for me. “God, you didn’t make me ‘good enough,” Really?!?
Whew. Sorry for rant.
I will not comply any longer to the comparison game. I will continue to strive for the excellence He has planned for me and my readers. 🧡
No apologies! I am blessed you are here and sharing. And that you trusted this space to share your experiences. I love what you shared and agree wholeheartedly with what you have shared. Blessings, Julie.
All of this!! You being you is how this beautiful creative community came into being. Thanks for encouraging all of us to write our hearts — for ourselves and our Creator!
Kimberly, of course I am nodding my head alongside you at the resistance you've reflected on here and sending you a virtual fist bump. I left social media in April of 2023 and moved over to substack later on that year. Something shifted about 6 months ago, so a lot more of the how to be awesome posts have been showing up and I must admit that the notes feed feels often like Instagram. It does indeed take some resistance; I am often just as tempted to scroll there, and I'm grateful for the holy spirit's nudge to put my phone down.
Also, I do wish I had the benefit of being in one of your lit classes. I don't think I've ever heard anybody connect the Great Gatsby to the book of Ecclesiastes. That is brilliant. Thank you for this.
Yes!! Yes, to all of this. I am trying to evaluate how I show up here and IG, etc. in 2025. More margins, more boundaries, more self-control, more meaning. Which also means laying down the gods of achievement (my friend Deidre Braley writes about) and comparison--again and again. Bless you.
Oh, and I love to see the encouragement about my teaching and analysis of Gatsby. I think I might do a course on it one day. I miss teaching in the classroom dearly. Still mourning this loss.
💜💜 I hear you on the teaching loss. I was able to retire after 20 plus years by choice, but I can't imagine being moved out of something you love because of health circumstances that took you away. I'm sure you planted many wonderful seeds.
Kimberly, the way you use literary analysis and scripture so effortlessly is beautiful. This clearly struck a chord with the community. Reading this whole thread of responses was a blessing.
Thank you, Kimberly Phinney. Firstly, for being you & secondly, because I identify with your message.
I have always identified myself as someone who is more of an old soul than someone who lives in the fast lane. I actually drive backroads & through the neighborhoods instead of taking the super highways.
My ideas are different than many of my friends & some of my family but I continue to strengthen the relationships the best way I can.
I like books. I like pencil (ink pens) much better than punching on a touchscreen to communicate.
Keep on keeping on & know there’s lots of us here.
Yass 🙌🏻… to all of this. Thank you for bringing your talents to this space and inspiring us all to just be …and keep working to squash the MORE that is trying to take us all down. ❤️
Yes!!! Down with MORE! Thank you. What a blessing to read and be read. To share a feeling and worldview. Let's keep going. Thank you for being here and sharing.
Beautifully said. 👏🏻 I’m never not surprised by that nagging not-enough-ness rearing its ugly little head. But I love these reminders! The other day, my big sister said something so wise to me about my writing and new opportunities that are coming. “May the rest that got you there carry you through.” And that’s all I need to remember. I rested, I surrendered, I trusted and let the Spirit lead. So why would I try to do it any other way now? Thanks again for writing this beautiful piece. 🙏🏻
Ohhh, your big sister is so wise. I love this. May we keep our rhythms and souls in the process. "What does it profit a man if he gains the who world but losses his soul?" I should have quoted that one! But I ran out of room. I will try to add.
I like thinking of hustle culture being the ocean we’re swimming in, like you said. In a certain sense we have to participate at some level to keep our noses above water. But let it be at times and places of our own choosing, otherwise it will take over every part of our lives. I feel especially concerned about what kind of parents we become in this environment, because we are compelled by fear to prepare them for the world they’re entering and we may just get it wrong and be the very thing we fear instead of the shelter from the storm.
Oh, this is so good. David Foster Wallace (among others) has been quoted saying not to ask the fish about the water--because they don't even have the capacity to realize what they are swimming in. It is exceedingly difficult for us to take a third eye and truly see the nature of our times; we are too immersed.
Here's the quote from Wallace's commencement speech: There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?”
Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop giggling when I found a marijuana plantation on my farm. It’s the glitch in the matrix! 😂😂😂 Every now and then the water becomes very intrusive, some of us are just better than others at choking on it!😂😂😂
I'm also an INFJ! 🥳 And thank you for your posts on this. The comparison and pull to be more, do more, has been weighing heavily on me. Bless you. I choose to show up here, slowly and authentically with you. 💜
Oh my goodness! Kindreds! I knew it. Not surprised in the least. And thank you. It's such a blessing to share writing that helps and blesses others. It feels good to be in service of one another.
So well said. I'm new here and honestly, carrying a lot of resistance to all internet-based promo, but I want to do my due diligence for an upcoming release. Reading this felt like a pressure release as I already felt myself slipping back into the desire for more followers, more likes, etc. Grateful for your words of wisdom, Kimberly!
We are glad to have you, Jordan. I completely get it. I struggle with the balance, too. We creatives do hard work, and we want to share it with others. To write and be read. To create and be experienced. It feels so hard when we have to promote.
Love it 🙌💗 Social media is not worth our wellbeing. I’ve decided to show up to post and limit my scrolling — and take weekend sabbaths. Just that practice alone is making a huge difference.
I should follow your example, Bailey. Thank you for being here and sharing. 🙏🏼
Thank you for this! When I feel like I have to "follow the rules" my creativity dries up. My words are inspired by my life, nature, and what God puts on my heart to write about. Isn't that how it should be as this gift of writing was given to me by the greatest Creator of all? Amen!
I agree! Performative pressing and prescriptions really do kill creativity and what makes each writer's voice unique and sacred. Ray Bradbury is amazing because he's the only Ray Bradbury. The same goes for Maya Angelou, Ernest Hemingway, and Fitzgerald. Can you imagine if these writers were in our time and gave in to the algorithms and formulas?
Thank you. 😊 I found myself feeling the same yesterday and last night as I lamented to Jesus, I asked Him to remind me often that “comparison” is actually wrong. It is compare-a-sin, if it helps you to remember it that way.
I came to the same conclusion. Will I work to get better? Absolutely! Will I seek to learn? Always. But not without remembering the entire point of my Heaven, Hope, and Healing blog - to help those He brings my way.
Yes, I will do my best to serve them with the near-death and scriptural heaven research and experiences. This includes expanding my horizons, as He asks.
But I will NOT compare. Truly, I think the reason it is a sin is because we rarely come out on top when we do that. It affects our mental health. Jesus knew that. Plus, He made us unique, just like we are. To start focusing otherwise discounts our Creator and Greatest Love. At least for it does for me. “God, you didn’t make me ‘good enough,” Really?!?
Whew. Sorry for rant.
I will not comply any longer to the comparison game. I will continue to strive for the excellence He has planned for me and my readers. 🧡
No apologies! I am blessed you are here and sharing. And that you trusted this space to share your experiences. I love what you shared and agree wholeheartedly with what you have shared. Blessings, Julie.
Backatcha!
Thank you for this. It is just what I needed today. Thank you for using literary analysis, scripture, and authentic witness
so your message could sink in to where it needs to go.
Oh, Abigail. I am so glad to be of service. I am blessed it spoke to you and that you enjoyed my nerdy English professor ways. :)
All of this!! You being you is how this beautiful creative community came into being. Thanks for encouraging all of us to write our hearts — for ourselves and our Creator!
It’s my absolute honor and blessing to be in the service of others. Love you friend! I’m grateful you enjoyed this essay. ♥️♥️
💛💛💛💛
I love this post so much! You get bonus points in my world for referencing The Great Gatsby too.
Yes!!!! Love it!! Love finding all these Gatsby enthusiasts!!!
Kimberly, of course I am nodding my head alongside you at the resistance you've reflected on here and sending you a virtual fist bump. I left social media in April of 2023 and moved over to substack later on that year. Something shifted about 6 months ago, so a lot more of the how to be awesome posts have been showing up and I must admit that the notes feed feels often like Instagram. It does indeed take some resistance; I am often just as tempted to scroll there, and I'm grateful for the holy spirit's nudge to put my phone down.
Also, I do wish I had the benefit of being in one of your lit classes. I don't think I've ever heard anybody connect the Great Gatsby to the book of Ecclesiastes. That is brilliant. Thank you for this.
Yes!! Yes, to all of this. I am trying to evaluate how I show up here and IG, etc. in 2025. More margins, more boundaries, more self-control, more meaning. Which also means laying down the gods of achievement (my friend Deidre Braley writes about) and comparison--again and again. Bless you.
Oh, and I love to see the encouragement about my teaching and analysis of Gatsby. I think I might do a course on it one day. I miss teaching in the classroom dearly. Still mourning this loss.
💜💜 I hear you on the teaching loss. I was able to retire after 20 plus years by choice, but I can't imagine being moved out of something you love because of health circumstances that took you away. I'm sure you planted many wonderful seeds.
Kimberly, the way you use literary analysis and scripture so effortlessly is beautiful. This clearly struck a chord with the community. Reading this whole thread of responses was a blessing.
Hi, Abigail. I am so glad it blessed you. And thank you, thank you for appreciating my teaching!! I miss the classroom so much!! Blessings.
Thank you, Kimberly Phinney. Firstly, for being you & secondly, because I identify with your message.
I have always identified myself as someone who is more of an old soul than someone who lives in the fast lane. I actually drive backroads & through the neighborhoods instead of taking the super highways.
My ideas are different than many of my friends & some of my family but I continue to strengthen the relationships the best way I can.
I like books. I like pencil (ink pens) much better than punching on a touchscreen to communicate.
Keep on keeping on & know there’s lots of us here.
Blessings on you. ~ccf
I have found kindred. All of this. Yes! Thank you for reading and sharing, Christine.
Sacred. Holy. Divine. Every drop.
Mmmm... So good. Thank you!!
Yass 🙌🏻… to all of this. Thank you for bringing your talents to this space and inspiring us all to just be …and keep working to squash the MORE that is trying to take us all down. ❤️
Yes!!! Down with MORE! Thank you. What a blessing to read and be read. To share a feeling and worldview. Let's keep going. Thank you for being here and sharing.
Beautifully said. 👏🏻 I’m never not surprised by that nagging not-enough-ness rearing its ugly little head. But I love these reminders! The other day, my big sister said something so wise to me about my writing and new opportunities that are coming. “May the rest that got you there carry you through.” And that’s all I need to remember. I rested, I surrendered, I trusted and let the Spirit lead. So why would I try to do it any other way now? Thanks again for writing this beautiful piece. 🙏🏻
Ohhh, your big sister is so wise. I love this. May we keep our rhythms and souls in the process. "What does it profit a man if he gains the who world but losses his soul?" I should have quoted that one! But I ran out of room. I will try to add.
Yes to rest! Amen
I’m a misfit when it comes to many things. This is a great piece and a great place to be. Loved this!
You are welcome here, misfit! :) And thank you! Blessings.
I like thinking of hustle culture being the ocean we’re swimming in, like you said. In a certain sense we have to participate at some level to keep our noses above water. But let it be at times and places of our own choosing, otherwise it will take over every part of our lives. I feel especially concerned about what kind of parents we become in this environment, because we are compelled by fear to prepare them for the world they’re entering and we may just get it wrong and be the very thing we fear instead of the shelter from the storm.
Oh, this is so good. David Foster Wallace (among others) has been quoted saying not to ask the fish about the water--because they don't even have the capacity to realize what they are swimming in. It is exceedingly difficult for us to take a third eye and truly see the nature of our times; we are too immersed.
Here's the quote from Wallace's commencement speech: There are these two young fish swimming along and they happen to meet an older fish swimming the other way, who nods at them and says “Morning, boys. How’s the water?” And the two young fish swim on for a bit, and then eventually one of them looks over at the other and goes “What the hell is water?”
https://jamesclear.com/great-speeches/this-is-water-by-david-foster-wallace
Maybe that’s why I couldn’t stop giggling when I found a marijuana plantation on my farm. It’s the glitch in the matrix! 😂😂😂 Every now and then the water becomes very intrusive, some of us are just better than others at choking on it!😂😂😂
🤣
I'm also an INFJ! 🥳 And thank you for your posts on this. The comparison and pull to be more, do more, has been weighing heavily on me. Bless you. I choose to show up here, slowly and authentically with you. 💜
Oh my goodness! Kindreds! I knew it. Not surprised in the least. And thank you. It's such a blessing to share writing that helps and blesses others. It feels good to be in service of one another.
So well said. I'm new here and honestly, carrying a lot of resistance to all internet-based promo, but I want to do my due diligence for an upcoming release. Reading this felt like a pressure release as I already felt myself slipping back into the desire for more followers, more likes, etc. Grateful for your words of wisdom, Kimberly!
We are glad to have you, Jordan. I completely get it. I struggle with the balance, too. We creatives do hard work, and we want to share it with others. To write and be read. To create and be experienced. It feels so hard when we have to promote.