I left a decade of pastoral ministry at the end of February thinking the next thing was a few different coaching programs for men, in addition to weekly writing on Substack and a new podcast and all that entails.
But since, God has just been reiterating "Immersion" to me. That's what this season is supposed to be about for me... Immersion in Him.
So I've mostly quietly done a little church consulting, while working part-time for another ministry, volunteering with some friends to help on projects, etc. On average I'm probably working more than I have in a long time, while making much less money. However, I'm also spending much more time with Jesus.
And I'm happy about it. I even believe content for the most part.
The quiet mornings on the front porch with coffee, flowers and my wind chimes help me to experience Him and be present for the rest of my quiet days...just doing the next thing He puts in front of me.
Beautifully said! It is so counter cultural to live that way. But there’s no better way to live than being obedient to what God is specifically calling you to do. 🙌🏼 It sounds like a sweet season and a challenging one at the same time.
Thank you for putting into words something I've been feeling for the past year, Molly. I quietly left all social media platforms for a few months, and now that I'm "back," I'm struggling with figuring out how to have a healthy relationship with them. Thank you for sharing what you've been going through.
So many little bangers sprinkled throughout! “Feigned connection”….this feeling is what eventually drove me off of instagram, something I thought I’d never give up because I thought i enjoyed it so much. But at the end of every sharing or scrolling session, I realized my irl social life was in no way improving because of it.
Thank you for this!! I am litterally in the same frame of mine right now. I have a book being released this summer and I’ve spent the last two years building my social media and it now makes me sick how much time I put into it. I’ve lost steam and am drawn towards a quiet life. I am so tired of social media and last week I committed to just stop. It’s been about 10 days since I’ve gotten on at all and I feel like I have more clarity. I’m going to just focus on writing on Substack and not be focused on what others are doing! It’s been freeing to do it for me and God and trust him fully with the publishing processing and knowing He is ultimately in control who buys or reads my book! Your words rang true for me today! Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading Heidi! For me there was a turning point when I felt like I was working too much on building a platform and not enough on my actual writing craft. I was becoming an expert in telling people how good I was...without actually working on becoming better. It was the equivalent of going to the gym to take a photo without ever working out. I've really found a lot of freedom in taking massive breaks from social media. It lowers the stakes of platform building so much. I'm not sure what the future holds for the publishing industry and those of us tied to it...but I know I'm not going to let it cost me my soul whatever direction it goes.
Yes, yes, yes!!! I’m hoping to publish a book by the end of summer, so I’m reading about all the things I should be doing to promote it and they just feel icky. I don’t want to post pictures of myself thriving, because here I sit in my pj pants and my Johnny Cash t-shirt at 2pm. I don’t want to post pictures of my children like we have it all figured out, because we’re winging this parenting thing every day and holding on to the grace of God to fill in all the cracks. But I do want to steward well this story God has given me. Maybe that means quietly putting it out into the world and trusting Him with it.
Gosh it is so hard isn't it? My first big girl job post-grad was in marketing so a part of me gets why it is so important to market but I think it's really hard for us creatives when it's our personal work. We know it's important. We know it matters. I think there are ways to really make marketing/selling more about serving and that has been helpful to me. I hope God guides you to share about your work that feels life-giving and authentic to you--Johnny Cash t-shirt included!
The struggle is beyond real for me.
I left a decade of pastoral ministry at the end of February thinking the next thing was a few different coaching programs for men, in addition to weekly writing on Substack and a new podcast and all that entails.
But since, God has just been reiterating "Immersion" to me. That's what this season is supposed to be about for me... Immersion in Him.
So I've mostly quietly done a little church consulting, while working part-time for another ministry, volunteering with some friends to help on projects, etc. On average I'm probably working more than I have in a long time, while making much less money. However, I'm also spending much more time with Jesus.
And I'm happy about it. I even believe content for the most part.
The quiet mornings on the front porch with coffee, flowers and my wind chimes help me to experience Him and be present for the rest of my quiet days...just doing the next thing He puts in front of me.
Beautifully said! It is so counter cultural to live that way. But there’s no better way to live than being obedient to what God is specifically calling you to do. 🙌🏼 It sounds like a sweet season and a challenging one at the same time.
SO good. 👏🏼 nailed the experience of so many. Thanks for calling it!
Appreciate your post, maybe it will encourage others to live a quiet life too!
Thank you Brooke! I hope so!!
Yes! This is beautiful!
Thank you for putting into words something I've been feeling for the past year, Molly. I quietly left all social media platforms for a few months, and now that I'm "back," I'm struggling with figuring out how to have a healthy relationship with them. Thank you for sharing what you've been going through.
I left for 8ish months, went back, and then left again. 🤣😂🙈 I definitely don’t have it figured out. I just know it’s too noisy for me right now.
So many little bangers sprinkled throughout! “Feigned connection”….this feeling is what eventually drove me off of instagram, something I thought I’d never give up because I thought i enjoyed it so much. But at the end of every sharing or scrolling session, I realized my irl social life was in no way improving because of it.
Thank you for this!! I am litterally in the same frame of mine right now. I have a book being released this summer and I’ve spent the last two years building my social media and it now makes me sick how much time I put into it. I’ve lost steam and am drawn towards a quiet life. I am so tired of social media and last week I committed to just stop. It’s been about 10 days since I’ve gotten on at all and I feel like I have more clarity. I’m going to just focus on writing on Substack and not be focused on what others are doing! It’s been freeing to do it for me and God and trust him fully with the publishing processing and knowing He is ultimately in control who buys or reads my book! Your words rang true for me today! Thank you!
Thank you so much for reading Heidi! For me there was a turning point when I felt like I was working too much on building a platform and not enough on my actual writing craft. I was becoming an expert in telling people how good I was...without actually working on becoming better. It was the equivalent of going to the gym to take a photo without ever working out. I've really found a lot of freedom in taking massive breaks from social media. It lowers the stakes of platform building so much. I'm not sure what the future holds for the publishing industry and those of us tied to it...but I know I'm not going to let it cost me my soul whatever direction it goes.
Thank you, Molly!
Thank you for reading Mary! I always love seeing your name. (:
Yes, yes, yes!!! I’m hoping to publish a book by the end of summer, so I’m reading about all the things I should be doing to promote it and they just feel icky. I don’t want to post pictures of myself thriving, because here I sit in my pj pants and my Johnny Cash t-shirt at 2pm. I don’t want to post pictures of my children like we have it all figured out, because we’re winging this parenting thing every day and holding on to the grace of God to fill in all the cracks. But I do want to steward well this story God has given me. Maybe that means quietly putting it out into the world and trusting Him with it.
Gosh it is so hard isn't it? My first big girl job post-grad was in marketing so a part of me gets why it is so important to market but I think it's really hard for us creatives when it's our personal work. We know it's important. We know it matters. I think there are ways to really make marketing/selling more about serving and that has been helpful to me. I hope God guides you to share about your work that feels life-giving and authentic to you--Johnny Cash t-shirt included!