A great summary! What interests me, is that I really enjoy seeing big life updates from friends or others (babies, weddings, etc) on social media, and enjoy content others have posted. However, I post next to nothing myself! Whilst there is nothing wrong with that, I do often contemplate that in order to enjoy reading content online, someone else has to be willing to post, share, or live a more ‘public’ life. Insta just wouldn’t have the same draw without any posts would it, haha!
I agree, Anna! John and I often bemoan the fact that our faraway friends post less often than they used to, and how we miss seeing little snapshots of their lives and adventures. We've actually turned around and used this as motivation to continue posting somewhat consistently on our own accounts, because we know the friends and family who follow appreciate it! This is on our private accounts ❤️
One of my 2024 goals was a year of no social media (and I'm not going back this year). So it was easy not to share all about our adoption news since I wasn't sharing anything! But my husband is still on social media and did not share anything about our match and the lead up to that. We got to choose to tell people or not. Similarly to Nancy, we told our son first and then he told everyone as he was so excited, haha. We told our families after that and a few close friends. But otherwise we waited until after we brought our daughter home that we told people. I'm sure it was similarly surprising as Nancy's news was to the people who know us.
Love this conversation between two friends that I deeply respect. Given that I deleted social media five years ago, what has changed for me is that I no longer share anything on the internet. Never had to even think about whether or not to share my pregnancy online in 2023. In 2015 when I had my son, I shared on Facebook when he was born. Congrats Nancy!!! Beautiful family!!
Thanks for sharing Emily and Nancy! When I read at the top of the post that this was also available to listen to on Nancy's podcast I hopped over there to enjoy listening while cleaning the kitchen. I love the interview/podcast format - it was such a fun and delightful conversation to listen to! I love reading your thoughts and ideas in written form, but a future suggestion could be mixing it up with an occasional podcast!
This was a good read! During what seems to be an entirely different internet era I was familiar with the CWM/Southern Weddings folks and sphere on Instagram, so this was a throwback! In 2020 I deleted my personal Facebook, opened in 2006, and kind of regret it ! I do miss knowing what some of those dear to my heart but distant people are up to. My mom will end our phone calls with all of the updates about who is having babies/getting married/going back to school/passed away etc. At the time it felt too taxing to go through and cull the many “friends” i had accumulated from high school, college, sorority, travel, and onward - so I just tossed the whole thing! I do like the air of mystery surrounding my own life - I’m a totally different person living in a totally different city than the last time I was posting about my life! But that being said, I’m grappling with some weird feelings about sharing things on the internet. I feel similar to Anna above! For example I love to read your blog and have quite enjoyed the whole of Substack. I miss the personal element of social media where I was clued in to others lives and they were clued in to mine, in a purely informational and fun way. After being away so long, it almost feels too hostile and unfamiliar to make a return at this point! I agree with Nancy’s sentiments about the (g)olden days of social media feeling more natural, celebratory, etc.
A great summary! What interests me, is that I really enjoy seeing big life updates from friends or others (babies, weddings, etc) on social media, and enjoy content others have posted. However, I post next to nothing myself! Whilst there is nothing wrong with that, I do often contemplate that in order to enjoy reading content online, someone else has to be willing to post, share, or live a more ‘public’ life. Insta just wouldn’t have the same draw without any posts would it, haha!
I agree, Anna! John and I often bemoan the fact that our faraway friends post less often than they used to, and how we miss seeing little snapshots of their lives and adventures. We've actually turned around and used this as motivation to continue posting somewhat consistently on our own accounts, because we know the friends and family who follow appreciate it! This is on our private accounts ❤️
One of my 2024 goals was a year of no social media (and I'm not going back this year). So it was easy not to share all about our adoption news since I wasn't sharing anything! But my husband is still on social media and did not share anything about our match and the lead up to that. We got to choose to tell people or not. Similarly to Nancy, we told our son first and then he told everyone as he was so excited, haha. We told our families after that and a few close friends. But otherwise we waited until after we brought our daughter home that we told people. I'm sure it was similarly surprising as Nancy's news was to the people who know us.
Love this for you all, friend ❤️
Love this conversation between two friends that I deeply respect. Given that I deleted social media five years ago, what has changed for me is that I no longer share anything on the internet. Never had to even think about whether or not to share my pregnancy online in 2023. In 2015 when I had my son, I shared on Facebook when he was born. Congrats Nancy!!! Beautiful family!!
Certainly makes decisions easy!! You just can't ever give up the Articles Club text chain 🤣
Loved this conversation! Fascinating perspective to consider.
Love all of these extra posts! Thank you. I always look forward to your Thursday posts but these extras are like icing on the cake 🎂
Thanks for sharing Emily and Nancy! When I read at the top of the post that this was also available to listen to on Nancy's podcast I hopped over there to enjoy listening while cleaning the kitchen. I love the interview/podcast format - it was such a fun and delightful conversation to listen to! I love reading your thoughts and ideas in written form, but a future suggestion could be mixing it up with an occasional podcast!
Love Nancy! And you! Excited to join you on substack, Emily!
This was a good read! During what seems to be an entirely different internet era I was familiar with the CWM/Southern Weddings folks and sphere on Instagram, so this was a throwback! In 2020 I deleted my personal Facebook, opened in 2006, and kind of regret it ! I do miss knowing what some of those dear to my heart but distant people are up to. My mom will end our phone calls with all of the updates about who is having babies/getting married/going back to school/passed away etc. At the time it felt too taxing to go through and cull the many “friends” i had accumulated from high school, college, sorority, travel, and onward - so I just tossed the whole thing! I do like the air of mystery surrounding my own life - I’m a totally different person living in a totally different city than the last time I was posting about my life! But that being said, I’m grappling with some weird feelings about sharing things on the internet. I feel similar to Anna above! For example I love to read your blog and have quite enjoyed the whole of Substack. I miss the personal element of social media where I was clued in to others lives and they were clued in to mine, in a purely informational and fun way. After being away so long, it almost feels too hostile and unfamiliar to make a return at this point! I agree with Nancy’s sentiments about the (g)olden days of social media feeling more natural, celebratory, etc.