jillsalahub

Today in my Facebook memories, a post showed up from two years ago, a list of the reasons behind what I post and share. It was particularly interesting to me because I’ve been thinking a lot about the how and why of my social media use. I was surprised to see that how I explained what I was doing two years ago is still quite accurate today. Nothing’s really changed.

20 Reasons Why I Post/Share Things

1. Because I’m a teacher and thus compelled to share what I learn in the hope that it will be of benefit to others.

2. Because I’m outraged or horrified and need company with that so I don’t give up, run and hide, sink into despair or shrink in terror.

3. Because I want to make it clear what “side” I’m on.

4. To dare someone, anyone to disagree so I can practice my dialogue skills (which are weak, I must admit).

5. To instigate a dialogue because I’m unsure or confused.

6. So I can easily find the info later.

7. To curate a collection of things for my weekly “Something Good” list (so far there are 365 of them, the same number as the days in a FULL year).

8. Because I want you to like me, think I’m cool.

9. To feel like I’m doing something.

10. To cheer you up, encourage you, share joy.

11. To motivate, inspire you.

12. Because I’m bored.

13. Because I need attention.

14. Because I’m overwhelmed and need you to help me “hold this.”

15. Because I’m trying to find my people.

16. Because I think I should.

17. Because it’s so funny or cute and I think it might make you laugh or even cry.

18. Because I think it’s going to go viral and I want to be “first.”

19. Because I’m getting paid to (I’m in charge of the social media accounts where I work).

20. Because I haven’t in a while and I want you to know I’m still here.

1. Flowers in the bathroom. I bought these daffodils and the very next day it snowed. We’ve had a really mild winter so far this year, but it’s still a little cold and a lot dark so I’m craving sunshine, warmth, citrus, and flowers.

2. Tuesday was my last first day of the semester at CSU! I feel pretty good about it. I had a realization this morning that if the expectations about the quality and quantity of work are going to so far exceed the compensation for said work, I’d rather spend my days writing and teaching yoga, meditation, and writing, and spending more time cooking, reading, swimming, working in my garden, and being with my husband and dogs. And yes, I absolutely understand that the only reason I can make such a choice is because of my big fat privilege.

3. Four years ago yesterday, I taught my first paid yoga class in my friend Stacey’s basement. That group of humans is still one of my favorite classes ever. They brought laughter and love to something I easily could have taken too seriously. Feeling some major gratitude – for them, for that opportunity, for my practice, for the privilege of teaching, for all my students who show up just as they are and allow me to hold space for them, for how far I’ve come and hopefully how far I will still go.

4. Facebook memories of the first month with Ringo. Some of the memories aren’t happy. They are about how Sam was sick and we didn’t know why or if he was going to make it, and others are about how hard it was to have such an energetic, demanding, mouthy, smart puppy and all the things I did wrong. But everything else is all “look at how cute and tiny he was!”

5. My tiny family. They really are the best thing, as essential for my survival as sleep or water.

Bonus joy: tea, treats, and talk with a friend who can make me cry and also laugh multiple times in the same conversation, aqua aerobics, sleeping (a regular night, sleeping in or a nap, doesn’t really matter), all the good TV and books and podcasts — there is not enough time for all of the goodness!, Pilates and how much I laugh in those classes (it counts as core work), teaching yoga, yoga teacher training, good people, buying groceries (this is one of the times I am most aware of how privileged, how lucky I am), bran muffins with dried raspberries, butternut squash soup, split pea soup, tomato bisque soup (I am on a soup kick right now), our new Instapot and all the yummy stuff Eric is cooking with it, a good internet connection, seeing Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo last night (watch their documentary, it’s so good).