I will be the first to admit, I’m addicted to social media.

It has been a tumultuous roller coaster of emotions from time to time, so every now and again, I leave it. It’s better for my brain.

The price of being connected and even addicted to social media can mean a disconnection from oneself and lead to a lack of gratitude for the blessings in our lives. When we compare ourselves to others, we lose sight of how special we are. We start to measure our worth by the number of “likes” we accumulate and call it love, when it’s not.

When we distract ourselves for hours on end, we lose the connection with ourselves. This poem reflects the difficult journey away from social media in an attempt to find peace away from the clamor.

Returning To Myself.

One year of emotional turmoil.
A full revolution around the sun of unrealistic expectations.
Three hundred sixty-five days distracted from myself…my soul.

Now I begin the long journey home.
Leaving behind all that which left me hollow and bereft…
The empty addictions,
Time and energy wasted in anxious anticipation.
The desperate need for validation that I am worth more than I feel.

I let it go so I can hear my heart once again.
To turn back toward myself,
To feed my own soul her precious truth.

“You are worthy, you are beautiful, you are fierce, you are so goddamn special!”

Solitude is needed and discipline required
In order to once again live in this truth,
Humbled and unapologetic.

But the distractions are many.
Five steps forward, two steps back.
Some habits are hard to kick.

So I write.
I write it all down
Get it all out.
Shine a light into the dark recesses
So the shadows have no place to hide.

I explore my own darkness
With my own light
Examining ancient relics of my being;
Understanding their origin and purpose…

Finally discarding them
Once I see they no longer have a use.

My burden becomes less…
My heart feels lighter,
My stride fierce and assured….

I can feel my truth radiant within me,
The warm, inviting glow of home…
Shining like a beacon once again.

Author: Kristen Luther

Editor: Catherine Monkman

Image: Courtesy of Author