The Weekly (Joy)Cap
Week of March 29th-April 5th (24') | Thoughts on Social Media & Running Your Own Race, Easter Weekend + Current Reads
This is the (Joy)Cap where I share a weekly reflection or lesson and a roundup of links, recommendations, and everything that’s bringing me joy, inviting you to do the same. Think of this as a weekly coffee date with my close friends. ☕️💕🫶🏾 Join me on a weekly joy hunt and start receiving the (Joy)Cap by subscribing today! ✨
Happy Friday, friends! How are we feeling?
This is the last week that my parents are in town, so we’ve been hanging out and enjoying these last few days before they fly back to Ohio. I’ve also been enjoying the free childcare, using this time to catch up on some much-needed rest and work. Because of that, I haven’t popped onto social media much in the last two weeks, and you know what?… I don’t miss it.
I had a realization earlier this week that I shared here Notes: It’s hard to run your race when you’re constantly getting play-by-play on how everyone is running theirs.
Honestly, it’s making me wonder if it’s healthy for us to have such behind-the-scenes access to people’s everyday lives. It’s hard to get clarity when your mind is constantly clouded with so much (unnecessary) information, details, comparisons, and noise. It’s hard to find joy when you are jaded and deluded by filters and facades. You become so discontent, discouraged, and disillusioned that it can sidetrack you from running your race.
Over the last few weeks, as I’ve been praying and considering how the Lord wants me to navigate this season of life and work, I’ve been reminded of Paul’s words in Galatians 6:4
“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” (Emphasis added).
There is no way that I can find contentment and clarity on how to run my own race while being so immersed in how everybody’s running their own. I have gotten so much fresh vision over the last few weeks that I’ve been resting and spending time away from social media which is honestly making me consider how I want to engage moving forward. I’ve implemented some guardrails in the last year to encourage healthy social media boundaries, but it looks like it may be time to do some more adjusting.
I feel like everyone I talk to is in a similar place — burned out, trying to figure out how they want to navigate social media. What are your thoughts on social media currently? Are you happy with your relationship with social media? Is it something that you too are currently assessing? Let’s talk about it in the comments below.
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What Brought Me Joy ✨
Easter with the family ✝️. Admittedly, Easter snuck up on me this year. I put together some quick and easy Easter baskets Saturday night with some books, treat-filled eggs, candy, and paint sticks (which I failed to get pictures of 🤦🏾♀️) and called it a night. On Sunday, we loaded the kids up in the car and spent Easter with my uncle, aunt, and cousins. It’s been a while since we all got together. The kids had a time running around their house, and we took to the living room couch at the end of the night to watch an Easter play.
A playdate with one of my childhood best friends 🏀. Between my injured Achilles and being down to one car with our other in the shop, there haven’t been many opportunities to get out of the house this past year. My friend and I have been trying to plan a play date for what feels like a year, and we finally made it happen this week. It was the cutest watching the kids run around the backyard, share snacks, and play.
Patio reading 🌸 📖. Springtime patio reading never gets old.
Currently Reading 📚
I’m still (slowly) making my way through Purposefooled1 by Kelly Needham. I’m about 70% through. I’m hoping to finish it by the end of the week.
The Loveliest Chocolate Shop in Paris has been the perfect springtime read — light, witty, romantic, and Parisian. I’ve been immersion reading this one, simultaneously bouncing back and forth between the physical copy, the audiobook, and my Kindle. However, I think the audiobook is my favorite. I love hearing it read in a French accent!
I placed a hold on Kate Northrup’s Do Less on hold through Libby months ago, and it’s finally available. A book on time and energy management for busy moms? Yes, please!
I was introduced to Abby Jimenez’s writing through her novella that’s a part of the Improbable Meet-Cute series. I was looking for a fun, attention-grabbing read before bed and remembered I had purchased Part of Your World as one of the daily Kindle deals. I’m only a few chapters in, and I can already tell that this is going to be it. 🤌🏾
Currently Listening 🎧
I haven’t listened to much of anything outside of audiobooks this week. However, I really enjoyed this conversation between Jenna and author Sarah Bragg as both ladies discussed how we can enjoy our season, navigate social media, reduce comparison as we cultivate contentment, and prioritize creativity as women and moms.
Eating 🍽️
I haven’t had good soul food in sooo long. My parents went out to eat with my aunt at a spot in Castleberry Hill called Paschal’s and offered to bring me a plate to which I could not refuse. One of the best soul food places I’ve had here in Atlanta so far. 😩👌🏾
Fave Substack Read of the Week 💻 💕
As I shared in my reflection, I feel like many people are in the same boat, reconsidering their relationship with social media in this season. I really enjoyed reading
from take on this.
I would love to hear from you! What brought you joy this week? Share with us in the group chat, leave a comment, or send me a direct message!
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GURL. I have been walking down a path of realization when it comes to technology and social media. It’s been 1.5 months of no social media and I’ve learned so much about myself. I’m being forced out of my comfort zone but my mental clarity and emotional well being, confidence and attention span have all improved. I don’t wanna say social media is BAD but I can also say…it’s not really a “tool” anymore. People have time be careful to not let it consume them. I’m doing a devotional called Redeeming Your Phone Time since I quit socials and that’s been so encouraging. Highly recommend!
Looking at houses and land with the kids this week. Praying and being hopeful for our own promise land soon.