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Jun 14, 2019
Catholic Influencers· Faith· Life

Social Media and Summer: How to Not Let Your Social Media Habits Steal Your Soul, Joy and Experiences

This post contains affiliate links.  Please see my About Me page for more details.

I just got my very first Iphone – and it was nice enough to inform me how long I spent on social media the first day I used it.

Wow, that was a rude awakening.

Wayyyyyy to many hours.

I have a feeling I am not alone.

If you are like me, you know that we look at our phones more than we should – and although we don’t want to give them up entirely, we want to be present and attentive to the people and gifts that are with us in the real world more than the virtual world.

Although I’m still trying to find and embrace the right balance, I want to share some strategies that have really worked for me when I implement them.

Ways to decrease social media use and be more present

 

1. Take a moment to pray before you go on any social media platform.

Before getting the new phone, I changed my lock screen from a picture of my husband and son to a new prayer.

FREE Lock screen! 10 different designs to choose from!

This is a prayer that I wrote and Sara, from To Jesus Sincerely, designed for our work over at CatholicsOnline.net.

This lock screen/wallpaper is totally free.  I can honestly say it made a difference on the amount of time I spent online and made me more aware of the time I spent on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.

There were times when I picked up my phone, saw the prayer and thought . . . what am I doing, I need to be doing (fill in the blank) not looking at my phone.  Just the image of the prayer gave a moment to process what I was doing.  It’s crazy, I pick it up subconsciously and this prayer “woke me up” a few times.

Other times I would pray the prayer, go on, and notice I wouldn’t stay on as long as I had in the past.

I need to get it on my new phone ASAP.

I created this because I know there were many times I have been on Facebook and something was posted that changed my emotional state so much it actually impacted my entire day.

That shouldn’t happen.  Saint John of the Cross, Padre Pio and Saint Teresa Avila all have quotes that tell us to not let anything disturb our peace!

We need to remember this.  I need to remember this.  Taking a moment to open our minds and hearts to Our Lord before entering the social media world allows us to be guided by the Holy Spirit while we are there.

2. Use strategies to stay off the gram, Facebook, etc.

I often put my phone upstairs when I am downstairs (or vice versa).  I also use a timer where I tell myself, “you need to do the dishes, clean the kitchen and blah blah blah” for this amount of time WITHOUT looking at your phone.  (Now you know – I’m an addict).

These strategies work for me.  I’ve also talked to others about what they do.  Recently, Chloe Langr interviewed Sara and I on her Letters to Women podcast.

The topic, A Letter to the Woman Navigation Social Media today, allowed me to hear what strategies both Chloe and Sara use.

Sara mentioned some of her strategies include:

  • Turning off  notifications on your phone. 
  • Setting alarms on your phone for “times to pray”.
  • Putting social media apps inside of folders.
  • Using an app that limits social media usage*

*If that last one interests you, here is an article I thought looked helpful: 7 Best Apps That Block Social Media On iPhone And Android

This episode is filled with great conversations about social media and our role as Catholics on social media.

Also, this post 3 Ways to Unplug might give you more ideas too.

3. Use social media in a way that promotes the greater good

Social media can be a good thing!  It’s fun, it keeps us connected and there is great potential to love and be a witness to our faith.  But, it’s also still very new.

Take a good look at who you are called to be on social media.

For many of us, our day to day lives for years did not have social media as a part of our daily schedule.

We can’t think back to when our parents gave us the “social media” talk.  Is that even a thing now?  I honestly don’t know.  What I do know is that tweens and teens everywhere are asking for smart phones and social media privileges.

I also know it’s stressing parents out – and rightfully so. A recent news article stated

Statistics show one out of every five teens has been contacted by a child predator online”

( Read the full article here: Dangerous Social Media Apps Kids are Using . . .)

Also check out How to Get Your Tech Loving Teen to Prayer Journal

There are concerns that it causes more anxiety and like video game addiction, it can be problematic.  And on top of all these worldly concerns, there is a matter of faith.  How does social media use effect our souls – or does it at all.
I propose that it very much impacts our souls – and like Chris Pratt once said, “You have a soul, be careful with it.”

It is our responsibility that we do so. Being aware of this led to the creation of the course: How to be a Good Catholic on Social Media

How to be a Good Catholic on Social Media 

Are you living out your Faith online?

This course is a perfect introduction to healthy, holy social media use for teens and young adults, and a much-needed reminder for people of all ages.

Learn the ins-and-outs of virtuous social media use through instructional videos and the accompanying printable workbook. Reflect on the application questions to help you put your Catholic Faith into practice online. Take this course by yourself, with a friend, or as a parent-child team to help your teen get a safe start to social media.

All materials are digital and available immediately upon purchase.

Perhaps this summer we should skip the parish book club and invite a small group to take this course together.

Maybe moms and dads who keep hearing “mom, I want my own phone.  I want snapchat.  I should be allowed on Instagram . . . etc.” could say, “okay, let’s make a deal.  You want to go on social media, you have to take this course first.”

If you want to purchase the course, use the coupon code LaunchSpecial (good until Sunday, June 16th) for 20% off.

I love that this course will most likely spark conversations that families should be having . . . but just don’t realize it.

Although it is brand new, some people were given the chance to preview it.  This is what some of them had to say about “How to be a Good Catholic on Social Media”:

Outstanding course! I feel confident my teenage son has the tools from this course to make proper decisions on social media.Sara is a very good teacher,and makes it easy to understand the lessons! Thank you Sara!

-Laura Hanrahan

What an EXCELLENT course! It really is a perfect outline for healthy, holy social media use. This course was a good refresher for me as an adult. I will definitely be coming back for this course when my children are old enough and going through it with them 🙂

-Katherine Reay

How do you manage social media use?  What are some ways social media helps you to be a better Christian? Tell us in the comments!

And speaking of using social media . . . I would love to connect with you on Facebook (Prayer Wine Chocolate); Pinterest (Prayer Wine Chocolate) and Instagram (Prayer Wine Chocolate)

>


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Be Yourself! Journal

Journal for tweens and teens

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Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… Striving for Sainthood can be as simple as this… 

This type of advice can be really helpful for all of us… especially for a young girl navigating middle school or her early teens.

This advice would have helped me.
Why?

Because it takes some pressure off the high expectations often felt by us as individuals.

It makes God’s will for us feel achievable and realistic.

It’s totally relevant to a student in junior high
(And a slightly stressed out adult)

This page in the Be Yourself embraces scrapbooking fun- just like the back cover. Only this page encourages photographs. Yes, actual printed ones 🎞️📸

Take a deep breath.
Love the next person that comes near you.
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A prayer and the story behind the picture… Oh S A prayer and the story behind the picture…

Oh St. Joseph whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the throne of God, 

I place in you all my interests and desires. Oh St. Joseph do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your divine son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ, our Lord; 

so that having engaged here below your heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most loving of fathers. 

Oh St. Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while he reposes near your heart. Press him in my name and kiss his fine head for me, and ask him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. 

St. Joseph, patron of departing souls, pray for us.
Amen.

My children had off from school on Friday. I had committed to an hour of Eucharistic Adoration on Fridays from to 2 to 3 during Lent… so since they had off, they had to come with me.
It was stressful.
They CAN NOT sit still.
Once I got one to stop walking around or talking, another one started.
But in the middle of all this… I witnessed a sweet moment.
I hesitated to pull out my phone because I really try not to during Adoration.
But, the beauty of the moment struck me, and I had to capture it.
📸 
Motherhood is hard. Parenting is difficult.
But I’m often reminded it’s like farming… and I’m planting seeds.

I just hope and pray I’m planting more good seeds then bad ones.

Thank goodness we can pray and ask for prayers from others!

Saint Joseph, pray for us!
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THANK YOU! Thank you! Thank you! If you have left THANK YOU! Thank you!
Thank you!

If you have left a review on Amazon for either of the Be Yourself Journals… thank you from the bottom of my heart!

When you leave a review on Amazon it makes me SO HAPPY… plus it sends a signal to Amazon to show more people these books!
I’d love for more girls to get this book in their Easter Basket this year!

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Tag someone with a 10 or 11 year old girl!

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I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 I can’t believe in the past week I’ve posted 4 videos on YouTube!

And last week’s interview with Dr. Matthew Breuninger (@askacatholictherapist ) still has me thinking about the “psychology of prayer journaling “!

The last 4 videos posted consist of two new interviews (Jessica Castillo from @athrivingcatholic and Dr. John Spitzer @johnspitzermd ); 

a box opening of @pinksaltriot ‘s latest JOY BOX and finally 

a “how to” video that demonstrates how girls can design the back cover of Be Yourself: a Journal for Catholic Girls!
Whew!

Dr. John Spitzer shared parenting advice for moms and dads of tweens;

Jessica Castillo shared how our physical and spiritual health are connected;

The Joy Box had some fun surprises… one will be going in my daughter’s Easter Basket;
And my friend’s daughter was the perfect co-host in the “how to design “ video!

Tell me which topic interests you the most… maybe I’ll dedicate an Instagram post highlighting that content!

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Review left on Amazon about Be Yourself:a Journal for Catholic Girls
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FLASH SALE!!!! Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!! FLASH SALE!!!!
Boy’s journal sale ends MONDAY!!!
Finish up Lent strong… and add this fun book to an Easter Basket!
Link in bio!
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I adore you Jesus, true God, and true man, pres I  adore you Jesus, 
true God, and true man, 
present in the Holy Eucharist, 
kneeling before you 
and united in spirit 
with all the faithful on earth 
and all the saints in heaven. 

In gratitude for so great a blessing, 
I love you with all my heart, 
for you are worthy of all praise 
and adoration. 

Lord Jesus Christ, may I never offend you with my lack of love. 

May your Eucharistic presence refresh me in body and soul. 

Mary, Mother of the Eucharistic Lord, pray for me 
and obtain for me a greater love for Jesus. Amen.

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Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… thes Have you ever seen a statistic and thought… these numbers are NOT in my favor?

Years ago, I was lonely, depressed and wondering if I would ever not be lonely and depressed.

I dreamed of falling in love and getting married.

But, I wanted to marry a faithful Catholic man… and I believe I saw that only 22% (?) of Americans were Catholic.

And then I thought…
Half of them aren’t men, a large percentage are not practicing and … also how many are BOOMERS?

Lucky for me, God math goes like this…
5 loaves 
2 fish
=
5,000 meals and leftovers 

This is my handsome husband and our awesome nephew with the Bishop that Confirmed him on Friday.
Matt was -and is- such a proud Sponsor and Uncle!
God bless Grayson Patrick FRANCIS!

Thank you God for all of your gifts!!!
“You pay God a compliment when you ask big things of Him.” ~ Saint Teresa of Avila

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Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a Don’t you love when a plan comes together for a retreat and you see joyful faces! 

Listen, this is the best retreat hack for Catholic girls!
****The Be Yourself Journal Scrapbooking activity.****

Give each girl a Be Yourself Journal.
Explain how, “We are all called to holiness but we take different paths.” ~ Saint Katharine Drexel.

Have each girl pick out a Holy card and two Catholic stickers.

Put scrapbooking paper and Catholic washi-tape (thank you @thestumpofjesse ) on the tables and get them started with decorating the back of their journals.

As they work add more stickers and quote cards to their table.

Point out that they were all given the same set of instructions… yet each cover design is unique.

The same is true for their calling!
God has a unique mission for each individual.

He calls us to follow the Commandments, embrace His Word and trust the teachings of the Church…
same set of basic instructions, different yet BEAUTIFUL results when followed!
“Be who God meant you to be and you’ll set the world on fire!” ~Saint Catherine of Siena
Huge thank you to the women who donated journals and holy cards!!!
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Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? Not sure what to do with all those prayer cards? 

Holy cards can be a fantastic prayer journal prompt. 

Copy the prayer off the back and glue the card to the page ;next to, underneath or above where you wrote the prayer).

Follow me for more prayer journaling tips!
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Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this week Getting ready for a Confirmation Retreat this weekend!

So excited to help these young Catholics see that each is called to holiness… but each mission is unique and unrepeatable!

Huge thank you to the women who donated journals for the retreat (11 donated!!!) and the women from my Bible study group who donated Holy cards!

If you would like to donate a Journal for one of the girls attending the retreat this weekend… send me a private message and I’ll explain how!

Holy cards are GREAT prayer journal prompts!

Which Holy card would you put in your prayer journal?
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Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in! Keep at it!!! Don’t give up and Don’t give in!!! “The world offers you comfort… but you were not made for comfort, you were made for GREATNESS!”
Pope Benedict XVI
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New post up on the blog!! I found some awesome Hol New post up on the blog!!
I found some awesome Holy Spirit themed gift ideas!
Link in bio!
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Holy Spirit activate!!! New gift guide up!!! One m Holy Spirit activate!!!
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One might say … these gifts are on FIRE!!!!
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