My Lenten Journey of Fasting from Social Media
As Lent approached this year, my insightful wife suggested that I fast from social media as part of my Lenten penances. I am a zealous Catholic after my reversion in 2017. I was using Facebook as my soapbox, “shouting from the rooftops.” I think it is true that at this point FB is the most efficient means I have for reaching large numbers of people. Robin noticed, though, that my fervor often reduced my effectiveness, and that I was often frenetically adding posts, sometimes many each day. And this fervor often spilled into other areas; I felt driven to find and share internet links and memes that seemed interesting or relevant to me. It turns out there is an opportunity cost - time I spent surfing and posting was no longer available for me to read real books, for example.
Two days ago, Robin noticed me watching a live Tim Gordon podcast. It seems my understanding of “fasting from social media” was rather narrow. I accepted her gentle redirection, disconnected from the podcast, and instead picked up an issue of TFP’s Crusader magazine that was lying unread on the ottoman. St. Francisco of Fatima’s picture is on the cover, and the events at Fatima in 1917 had become a tremendous boon to my faith and formation since reversion. I began reading one article based on a headline, and found it so edifying that I read the issue cover to cover. I think I would not have had this experience had I not turned off the podcast (sorry, Tim!).
I’ve started to remember my home life growing up. As someone who professes to value tradition, I had been neglecting what was passed on to me. My home was quiet then. People would do one thing at a time. When not working, Dad always had a hardcover book from the library beside his recliner, and suggested I read more. I started with, I think, 1984, and later got hooked on Stephen King. My attention span was longer then.
I believe this fasting process holds great hope of growth for me, a bonus beyond the main purpose of self-denial. St. Isidore, pray for us!