A couple of months ago, I felt exhausted by social media. Since most of my clients and customers find me online, I can't really opt out, but I was so tired of chasing algorithms, creating content (vs. sharing my art and heart), arguing about science and politics, comparing myself to others and feeling that, whatever I did, it wasn't enough.

So I sat down and worked out a strategy to not only keep my sanity, but make social media enjoyable again. I came up with five rules that work, and I'm sharing them with you in case any of you are struggling too.

1. Decide what you want from each platform.
   I evaluated the responses to my posts and decided that Instagram is for art/inspiration/creative comradery, and Facebook is for... whatever else. I've stopped expecting Facebook to be something it isn't, and I'm happier. (FYI, I've found that adjusting your expectations works with people too.)
2. No rage engagement.
   To my knowledge, I've never changed a mind by arguing on social media (despite my always infallible logic). So I've stopped engaging in other people's nonsense. Bonus, when you stop engaging, the algorithms eventually stop showing the nonsense to you!
3. Log off the minute that it's not fun. 
   It happens to all of us, I think. We find ourselves scrolling through our feeds, and we suddenly realize we're getting sad, or mad, or discouraged. That's when I log off and find something else to do.  (And I never try to catch up with what I missed while I was gone. I don't have to know everything.)
4. Don't peek at social media when you're with your friends/family.
   What can I say? It's wonderful what happens when you focus your attention on the people right in front of you.
5. Engage from the heart.
   Over the last two months, according to my phone, I've cut my screen time in half, and yet I've never felt more engaged, connected, and inspired by my social media feeds. I've learned the old adage is true: It's quality, not quantity for sure.
   

I hope this helps whoever needs to read it. And for those of you who already have a healthy relationship with social media, feel free to reply with your own healthy habits! 

Onward!

December will be a big month for coloring pages on Ko-fi! I created a holiday coloring album and I will spend the month of December filling it up! Along with 8.5 x 11 inch coloring pages, I'll be releasing smaller 5 x 7 inch coloring pages that you can print, color, and send out, or use as decorations in your house. They're fun for kids too, since they're smaller, less detailed, and easier on short attention spans. :)

You can get 30-day access to most of what I release on Ko-fi simply by "buying me coffee" - a one-time tip of only $3. Or you can make your tip into a monthly contribution and get forever access to everything, including brand new subscriber-only coloring pages that I make out of my latest illustrations.

Coloring-wise, December is going to be packed. If you or someone you love is a colorist, come visit my  Ko-fi page!

During my 30-day drawing challenge last month, I drew collections of fish, birds, lions, tigers, bears... and much more. I learned that I really enjoy creating collections, and so I've continued. Here is my latest - chubby birds! 

You can see all my collections in the new gallery on my site. And stay tuned because one of my plans for 2022 is to create patterns based on my illustrations and sell them on all kinds of fun products. Exciting work ahead!

I've also been steadily adding new art to my shop, just in time for the holidays. Use the coupon code ARTINGALLOVER to get 15% off your order, plus free shipping through December! 

In my neck of the woods, the San Francisco East Bay Regional Park District offered free access to all their parks on the Friday after Thanksgiving. They called it Green Friday. I love that so much. I have an annual pass because my weekly hikes bring me more joy and soul-filling perspective than I can ever begin to communicate, but the Green Friday alternative to Black Friday was too wonderful for me not to participate. Here are a few pictures. 

xo