How much is too much?

Threadless, for now

Photo by Nadine Shaabana on Unsplash

“Oh, not another one!” 

Those were the actual words that came out of my mouth. Yes. Another social media platform. My thoughts turned to Brenda from Bristol (above) when I first heard about Threads – dubbed Instagram’s answer to Twitter - launching last week. I observed the rush to join with intrigue – 30 million on day one, according to news reports. As I write this the head of Instagram, Adam Mosseri has revealed that 100 million people have joined over the course of five days. He added:

“I’m not sure I can wrap my mind around that fact. It’s insane; I can’t make sense of it…. My mind is blown.”

It kind of blows my mind too. In a way that leaves me feeling tired.

I was trying to work out why I felt so grumpy about it. Maybe it’s my age? Maybe I’ve been out in those social media streets for too long? It just seems like a lot of noise. Like a large town square where almost everyone is shouting.

So much noise.

So much scrolling.

So much time. 

I do have an Instagram account, but as you can probably guess if you’ve read this far (and from the very name of this Substack), I haven’t joined Threads yet. If you’re on Threads and you’re enjoying it, that’s great and I hope it continues to be a positive place for you. But it’s not calling to me at the moment. Maybe I’ll change my mind in the future and decide it’s a place I do want to be.

I felt like less of a grumpy so and so when I saw this post from Emma Gannon. Reading Emma’s words and the comments underneath her post, I realised I wasn’t alone in my feelings.

A thread on Threads

In this season, I’m craving less noise, so the last thing I feel like doing is adding more.

Right now I don’t have the desire or the capacity to be on another social media platform.

The idea of needing to be on every platform seems draining and (to me) implies fear of missing out and scarcity. A few other platforms I’ve happily missed to date that come to mind include TikTok, Snapchat, Vine, Clubhouse and IGTV. 

I’m self employed and I really do understand that sense that you should be on every platform possible in order to try and get your work seen. But honestly, how effective or sustainable is that? I know trying to do too much dilutes my efforts and depletes me.

Some years ago, I decided with social media to only stick with what I wanted to give my energy to. At the moment, more of my energy is moving over to Substack. Even though I’ve only been here since March this year, it’s the online space that’s resonating with me the most at this time. It’s also the place where you’ll find new yoga classes and meditations from me each month as well as writing.

So, for now I’m not on Threads. For now, it’s summer and I’m intentionally taking a slower pace. For now, I’m happily turning down the noise.

Over to you:

Are you on Threads or not? If you are, what do you like best about it?

Where in your life can you turn down the noise and slow down this summer?

If, like me, you’d like to spend less time scrolling and more time resting and replenishing this summer, here are some upcoming opportunities to join me during July. (Note - most of these are available online and recorded if you can’t join live or are on-demand offerings, so you can take part wherever you are in the world):

• The Reset – July edition on Substack: This month is Restorative Support for Deep Rest. It’s a pure restorative yoga class where you’ll experience just 4 poses over the course of 1 hour 10 minutes here.

• Restorative Yoga with Mindwalk Yoga: Tuesday 18th July 8-9pm BST Livestream via Zoom. (This class is recorded if you can’t join live.) Try a 7-day free trial if you’re new to Mindwalk Yoga. Details here.

• Flow to Restore with Mindwalk Yoga: Tuesday 25th July 8-9pm BST Livestream via Zoom. (This class is recorded if you can’t join live.) Co-teaching with fellow Mindwalk Yoga teacher, Coco. Sign-up here.

• Hatha Flow at Yoga Point Brixton: Wednesdays 19th and 26th July 9.30-10.30am BST. This class takes place in-person at the Yoga Point studio. You can also take part online via Zoom. Details and booking here.

• Rest + Restore at Embody Wellness in Vauxhall (in-person only): 2nd Friday of each month 7-8.30pm. Currently on a break for the remainder of the summer, but the next one on Friday 8^th September is open for booking now. Some of the practices you will experience can be found in my book Rest + Calm. Full details via ‘workshops & events’ page at Embody Wellness here.

On-demand online classes:

• Mindwalk Yoga’s NEW Buy and rent options, including the Yoga for Menopause Collection with me. Details of all the collections available here.

• Go with the Flow Yin - this is my latest class on EkhartYoga. You can find my other classes here.