I took a break from “the socials” and if being completely honest, I didn’t miss it.

Funny, as I type that, I think of my seasoned readers and what “socials” once met during a different time and era. I didn’t excuse myself from social gatherings but the now ever present and addictive social media platforms.

It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the better part of the past two years. Taking a deep dive into my health and contributors which make it not the best, social media was a consistent part of the equation.

Not to be confused, I hold no one but myself responsible for this.

In the past two years as I’ve truly reflected and been undeniably honest with myself, I had to accept some relationships were unhealthy and social media was one of them. Oh, I can see many of you now, shaking your head, unable to connect with what I’ve shared; good for you.

Personally I no longer liked the way social media played a relevant part in my everyday life. Often finding myself in conversations where those close to me would reference a story, stating “did you see on Facebook?” or “did you see my post?”

In this new chapter of self-examination and discovery, I realized I truly missed organic conversation not prompted by a post.

Now that’s not to say all my conversations stemmed from that, dear goodness, I’m a bit more deeper than that, but it was definitely a regular contributor. A third person at the table if you will.

I myself post to social media. So these words are by no means meant to be a judgement of others, but more a reflection from a lesson. I actually get a kick out of the individuals who proudly share they don’t put their stuff on social media, yet seem to have all the latest by way of what others are doing. Hey, thanks for stopping by.

Midway through my absence, I had a close friend ask how it was going. “Do you miss it?” she inquired.

I promptly and honestly replied, “not one bit. I’m enjoying living back in the ‘90s and catching up with friends like I used to.”

I also shared, it did make my job a bit challenging, not seeing all that was being ‘shared,’ by way of upcoming events, but I was managing.

During my 40 days away I was much more productive, which I know caught my friend off guard when I shared it. I now work part-time, my kids are independent, and my days no longer hold a lot of “must dos,” as it once did. Yet I find a way to keep myself busy and have a list of self-appointed projects which I’ve finally begun to tend to.

No longer did I find myself at the end of the day, wondering where the time went or how I didn’t manage to get to a few simple things. The rabbit hole distraction of other peoples’ busy had been stripped away and in turn, my life became more productive.

As time passed, I also learned I cared a lot less about things which would have once prompted me into a constant text stream with a girlfriend over something seen on social. Knowing that I was no longer on the forum, screen shots of posts would come across my phone from a few besties. Suddenly, I found myself looking at these posts with two simple words popping into my head: “who cares?” I laugh as I type this, as I know there is likely a camp of people out there who feel exactly this way on things I share.

The bad news for this camp (as well as myself), is that some people do care and because of this, I will continue to candidly share elements of my journey to help those whom it does.

But I digress … a bit … as this really isn’t about the content as much as it is the forum and how we use it.

For some, it is the best thing in the world. They love the ability to share, network and help one another via this common place seen by hundreds of thousands each and every day. Others use it for selfish reasons, often to make themselves feel better with their own insecurities. Yes, I’m calling out the people who enjoy talking down the posting of others or build themselves up in comparisons. There’s a simple solution for them, don’t log on. After all these are also the people who claim not to be bothered or care so who would miss them?

As this is going to press, I have two days left of my hiatus.

When speaking with my friend she asked if I’d log back on and I will. The intention of this break was simply that. Nothing set me off to make me feel a certain kind of way to leave the forum. This was more a simple self-reflection and recognizing the need for a reset. Personally, I don’t ever see that as a bad thing.

We all need to take a breath every now and again. Whether it be from an obligation, a friend group, even a job, a step away to reconnect and regroup is never a bad thing. Like it or not, the reality is everyone else isn’t always the problem, sometimes the problem is us.

I’m grateful for the social forums, but equally grateful to now know the quality an occasional break can bring to my life.

It’s been nice back in the ‘90s, I just hope not to now be exhausted by the warp speed of 2026. See you on the socials. Here goes nothing.

Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. She may be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.