Go Read a Book
your permission to disconnect for the holiday season
Happy Thanksgiving Week! The Rockettes have danced, and therefore, ‘tis the season.
Amidst the chaos of the holidays, there is a growing recognition for the importance of granting each other the permission to disconnect. Are you finding yourself torn between joining in with the online celebrations, and the need for prioritizing your personal wellbeing offline?
The holidays are a time for presence—being fully immersed in the moment, cherishing traditions and time with loved ones, and basking in the festive atmosphere. Whether or not you feel the need to detox, I encourage you to put down your phone, step away from the constant stream of notifications, and savor the joy that comes with genuine, offline connections.
The idea of taking a social media break during the holidays may seem daunting, yet it's an essential practice for maintaining balance and being mindful of what you need.
Your Social Media Hiatus Guidebook, Part One
Maintaining an online presence during your hiatus:
Communicate Transparently
While you don’t owe your followers a justification for taking a break, many of us are building communities—a process which is based on connectivity, mutual respect and trust. I recommend openly communicating with your audience about your intentions to disconnect during the holidays. This also sets your boundary and minimizes any guilt you may feel for not showing up.
To Do: Craft a heartfelt message explaining the decision, expressing gratitude for the ongoing support, and assuring followers of a return with fresh, engaging content.
Plan Ahead
Those of you working with a strategist will have sorted this out a month ago, because a smooth social media break requires thoughtful planning :) Your online presence is part of your job (hopefully an enjoyable part!), and therefore you have to tie up loose ends before you clock out.
To Do: Go through your content calendar and ensure you’re all up-to-date with your end of year deliverables. Bonus: look ahead to January’s calendar, and prep the first week of content so you aren’t scrambling upon reentry to digital society.
Utilize Automation Tools
Your reach has a steady climb, your followers are engaged, you’re selling books. The guilt starts to creep in that you’ve done all of this work to then stop short, right in time for a year-end push. Not necessarily true! Leverage automation tools (such as Later, Planoly, or those native to each app) to maintain a minimal online presence without the need for manual intervention.
To Do: Schedule automated responses for messages and comments informing followers about the temporary break and expressing gratitude for their understanding.
Your Social Media Hiatus Guidebook, Part Two
Prioritizing an offline presence during your hiatus:
Prioritize Self Care
Use your scroll-less time to recharge, reflect, and indulge in activities that bring joy and relaxation. You may be inclined to capture glimpses of your holiday traditions and self-care journey to share later, reinforcing the idea that taking a break is not just about stepping away from screens but is also about experiencing your life.
Reflect and Set Intentions
This time of year naturally inspires reflection. You can use your social media break to reflect on your journey, accomplishments, and the direction you want to take in the coming year.
To Do: look back at your calendar, planner and to do lists. Sometimes we forget how many items we’ve added on a day-to-day basis, and then crossed off out of accomplishment. Take a minute to be proud of yourself, and then set your vision to the future.
Go Read a Book!
Permission to strategically and intentionally disconnect, granted.
By following the handbook above, you’ll not only navigate a successful hiatus, but also return with renewed energy, authenticity, and a deeper connection to your audience. Happy holiday season, everyone, I hope you enjoy! I will not be taking a holiday hiatus, so please don’t hesitate to reach out for additional support should you need.
Is this post helpful? I’d love to hear your thoughts.