I think the internet is one of the greatest inventions ever. Truly. It has profoundly impacted my life for good in so many ways. I met my husband online. I work online. He works online. I have found parenting and homeschooling support online. I’ve made friends from all over the world. Caroline loves playing games online with other kids. So I am thankful for the internet and how it gives so much to me and my family.

But I must always remember to view the internet as a tool that serves me and not the other way around. It can be an important part of my life, but I can’t allow it to control my life. Some people struggle with this and this internet and social media challenge is for you to hopefully make positive changes in your life.

Does the Internet and Social Media Serve You or the Other Way Around?

If you are a reader of my blog, then you may have seen my posts about thinking about why people quit Facebook and then actually quitting Facebook. When it reached the point when I felt like I was a slave to Facebook and it was negatively impacting my life in multiple ways, it had to go.

I still freely use the web, search engines, YouTube, Pinterest, and a bit of Twitter (not any longer). I’m not a Luddite. But I make sure that my internet and social media usage serves me and my needs.

I also don’t have my email on my phone. Actually, I don’t have much on my phone at all. It’s primarily a phone and that’s intentional. I don’t want to be using it all the time.

I do have the Pinterest app installed and will use that when I’m waiting somewhere, but that’s about it. (I deleted the app.) I like having a smart phone, but it’s something I only use occasionally beyond making a phone call.

The internet and social media can be effective tools for helping us create a cozy life or they can be a huge detriment. It requires us to be intentional and thoughtful to make sure these fantastic tools are serving us in the best ways.

Evaluating Internet and Social Media Use

How are you doing with the internet and your social media usage? Is it a valuable tool you use wisely that serves you? Are you a slave to it? Something in-between?

In Simplify Your Online Life, you can assess how you are doing with your internet activities. If you haven’t downloaded and completed my mini-course entitled Creating a Cozy Life – Getting Started, I recommend you do. This activity will make so much more sense with it already completed! 

A Quiet Simple Life Series