Category: Edu blogging

Finding peace in challenging times

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There are moments in history when the noise feels louder than the hope. When headlines carry more heat than light. When it feels like the ground beneath us is unsettled, and the temptation is to either harden our hearts or retreat entirely.

This is one of those moments.

Across our country, deep division and unrest are impossible to ignore. Minnesota has been heavy on my mind lately — another place carrying the weight of anger, grief, and unresolved pain. It’s a reminder that the fractures we feel are not abstract or distant; they are lived, local, and deeply personal. At times, the national mood feels dark, uncertain, and on edge.

And yet — right here in the Triangle — something powerful has been unfolding.

Over the past several days, our community has been part of the Walk for Peace, a remarkable procession of Buddhist monks journeying across the country to promote mindfulness, compassion, and peace. As the monks made their way through our region on their walk from Texas to Washington DC, many beared the cold to witness the monks’ calm determination and hear their words about living with intention and kindness.

People stood quietly together, often moved to tears, feeling more peace in that moment than they had in weeks. Some held flowers and watched as the monks regifted them — a simple but poignant reminder that peace multiplies when shared.

It’s hard to overstate how meaningful that contrast is.

While parts of our country wrestle with chaos and division, our community chose calm, courage, and connection. The Walk for Peace didn’t deny the pain we carry — it acknowledged it and responded with dignity. It reminded us that peace is not passive. It requires intention. It requires showing up.

As a school leader, this is how I strive to lead every day.

I lead with love and care — always. Not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. Schools are microcosms of our society. Every fear, every hope, every fracture eventually walks through our doors. My responsibility is to create spaces where students, faculty, support staff and families feel seen, safe, and valued, even when the world outside feels anything but steady.

Leading with love doesn’t mean ignoring hard truths. It means holding people through them. It means choosing empathy over ego, listening over reacting, and modeling the calm we want young people to carry forward.

Fittingly, today’s vinyl spinning in the background was Bruce Springsteen’s Darkness on the Edge of Town — released in 1978, but somehow always timely. The album is gritty, honest, and unflinching. And tucked within it is “The Promised Land,” the first song on the B side. A song that feels like it was written for moments exactly like this.

Springsteen sings, “Blow away the dreams that tear you apart / Blow away the dreams that break your heart.” There’s an acknowledgment there: dreams can wound us when they’re deferred, distorted, or denied. We feel that tension now — between what America promises and what it delivers. “The Boss” pushes forward: “I believe in the faith that can save me / I believe in the hope and I pray.” That line lands hard these days. Faith. Hope. Prayer. Not as slogans, but as anchors.

The song closes: “I’m gonna get a little bit of rest tonight.” Even in darkness, there’s permission to pause. To breathe. To gather strength for the work ahead.

That’s what peace looks like right now.

Not pretending everything is fine — but choosing not to let the darkness define us. Walking together when it would be easier to turn away. Leading with love when fear would be more convenient. Teaching our children — by example — that calm is a form of courage.

The Promised Land isn’t a place we arrive at all at once. It’s something we build, step by step, walk by walk, choice by choice.

Even now. Especially now.

The power of maintaining balance through daily unplugging.

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Emails, texts, social media. We are plugged in daily throughout our daily lives at work, home and in our lives. It can be and often is — too much. We often spend so much time being connected it can be a challenge to connect effectively with people in person.

I found that no matter how busy the calendar of events is maintaining set time to be disconnected from our devices is not only refreshing but necessary in seeking balance.

I have blogged in the past about my workouts always being device free. (For reference – https://brendanfetters.com/2024/02/18/maintaining-professional-stability-through-daily-balance/) This is one time daily that I know I have disconnected time in place. I hold myself accountable to this daily by keeping my phone not only in another room but on another section of the house.

Being device-free for 60-90 minutes straight most days during this block makes shifting to time and space to read, do chores, etc. completely disconnected easier as well.

In other personal lives it is also vital to have time and space for human connection – device free. I’m not accessing my phone while engaging with friends and/or family — being in the moment distraction free and completely focused on conversation and that human connection.

Completely disconnecting is sometimes a challenge but this recent article in The New York Times offers several outstanding tips and tricks around common situations that require us to be connected in some capacity — to have a healthy relationship with our devices. I highly recommend giving it a read —

Disconnecting is powerful in our 24/7 “on” lives but it takes effort. The rewards are powerful. This is something I’m continuing to grow within myself as there is always room for improvement within ourselves, right?

Flexibility. Embracing a vital component in our daily lives.

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I’ll admit it — I’m a pretty scheduled and structured person. In my personal life with friends and family. Especially in my professional life. The Google Calendar is my best friend some days I feel. I will send a calendar invite in a minute, anytime, any place. I’ll remind. I can be persistent. My people of all walks that have frequent interactions with me know this about me — I’m pretty structured, organized and I love plans. A well organized plan cemented by a calendar holds it all together.

In education, I learned long ago no matter the role in the classroom, as an instructional coach or now as a school administrator even the most structured day can often be dismantled by a single event. An unscheduled parent meeting lasts several hours, a investigation, a staff member falls ill and in a pinch I’m covering core 3 and 4 Math for the day. The most well-scheduled day can go astray in a moment.

Anything can and often will happen no matter what our role in education is. We have to pivot. Adjust the calendar, reach out to those effected directly, indirectly, reschedule, communicate to all stakeholders and move it on. Doing what is best for kids and the community we all serve always supersedes all. It is ok to be slightly vulnerable with stakeholders in these situations and explain as much as you can without breaking policy laws, of course. Sometimes things need to be erased from the calendar and rescheduled – even that ever important final classroom observation in the final weeks of the school year before deadlines are looming.

Merriam-Webster defines flexible in this sense as: characterized by a ready capability to adapt to new, different, or changing requirements.

a flexible foreign policy

a flexible schedule

In terms of my personal life, I’m pretty private. I have a close circle of friends and a small family. I care for them all dearly. I’m also often the one who makes plans or at the very least gets the ball rolling. That group of close grad school friends? “Hey, all! When are we all going to be in Raleigh next? Let’s connect” then a calendar invite will come as soon as a day, time and place is set. That’s me. Things can come up a day or two out or even day of. A child gets sick. We might need to wait until next month to get together. Keep the conversation going. Make that connection strong and it will happen even if later than anticipated initially.

In the current heat wave North Carolina is experiencing this summer HVAC systems are on overload and can need served. Two have had to reschedule the past month for this alone with me. It’s life. Things happen. You pivot, adjust, and make new plans once this significant inconvenience in their has been fixed but keep that communication going and make new plans once a life hiccup has been adjusted.

For me, maintaining communication is key. Being flexible is a necessity no matter how structured we are. It is inevitable we will have to pivot often in all walks of our lives. How we react and communicate is key. For me I try to resolve as a soon as possible and reschedule — communicating with all key stakeholders as soon as possible. This is vital in all walks so those who are key in both our personal and professional lives feel validated that this meeting, event or gathering will happen again soon. Within professional settings this shows care, compassion, focus and intention. Relating to personal lives, this shows that as well as highlighting the clear importance on the friendship, relationship, love and authenticity.

Now, as someone who loves structure in their daily lives it’s easy to fall into the trap of a very much set day especially during the work week.

I am lucky to have many people in my life who both recognize and admire my personal structure but also recognize my ability to adapt often as needed. My typical afternoon after work workout might need to happen later in the day or not at all because of X, Y, Z personally or professionally. Work might overlap Tuesday with dinner plans with friends or a loved one. Life happens. Explain, adjust, be flexible and move on. This is something I’m continuing aware of and working to improve. Those in my circle of all walks hold me accountable, often. I’m so grateful for this.

From rise in the morning to rest in the evening. It is important that we keep a routine but one open to flexibility within it. The article below really dives deep into some of the research within the importance of keeping some daily flexibility into a structured day.

https://www.strategy-business.com/article/A-flexible-routine-can-help-you-change-for-good

Being flexible can be hard. Especially for natural planners. Prioritizing is always essential. Take a step back. It’s always ok to go slow to go fast. Giving yourself grace and respecting your changing needs is key. This recent article below provides several outstanding tips for balance professionally with flexibility is needed within the day.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/give-yourself-grace-be-flexible-mental-health-professionals-share-the-self-care-practices-they-swear-by-164706554.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAADWJ_g-ZzfV-O6ni888Jj9GxQnVuc08qY3ICyN8WUp3xrsEg0TfFA2X5kfIntl-XYuQLARVmWNB-mq5YRu_86RV4u5uaawSyQvJowTBDq8oxZD2J3sSP7KudxKCcAZl_jBJiCToCoIlFcRM1cAF2ng52eKDBQwkbDXDWbF2sKWbn

Structure is great, but flexibility within is necessary. Said from a self proclaimed natural planner to the core who has adapted well to life as a strong “flexible planner” in all works of life. Make the shift, adapt and keep it moving. There is never need to stress about things that are out of our circle of control. Period. Never forget that.

Maintaining professional stability through daily balance

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No matter our role in public education the work is heavy. From a grade level, core or elective classroom teacher, to instructional coach, school or district leader, the ongoing effort is often significant. Maintaining a healthy balance is necessary but all too often overlooked by far too many in our profession.

Maintaining this balance is tough, but can and should be made a priority.

I’ve blogged about balance in the past but am going to dig deeper in this post. The past several years, I have made stability in my daily life throughout the work week, weekends and breaks a daily priority. This priority is three pronged.

  1. Rest. Sleep should be a priority. For me 8 hours is the daily goal. If that means I have to sacrifice a little tv time during the work week, so be it. My health is paramount. Production is so improved once you’re fully rested. Far too many of us do not get nearly enough rest. There is so much research on the importance of daily on our overall health but below is a great article from a few years ago from the University of Michigan on the topic — https://sph.umich.edu/pursuit/2020posts/why-sleep-is-so-important-to-your-health.html

2. Nutrition. I haven’t been sick in years. Legit years. I know without a doubt nutrition along with the above rest and what’s below are a big part of that. I grew up eating pretty healthy and this has been maintained throughout adulthood as a priority. Getting daily amounts of fruits, veggies, etc. and avoiding fatty foods at almost all costs have been so helpful to my all-around well being. CDC research certainly backs this up — https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/about-nutrition/why-it-matters.html

3. Fitness. I’m a bit fanatical about this but blocking off 60-90 minutes per day for cardio, core and/or weight training is a must for me. Completely blocked off from the outside world with phone being in an entirely other room to avoid distractions and focus on the fitness. Even on my rest day most weeks I’m doing some sort of scheduled fitness – usually at least a low impact class on the Peloton. This is is a mindfulness game changer and helps keep me as sharp mentally as physically. Mayo Clinic research backs this up fully — https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness/in-depth/exercise/art-20048389

Within our profession pour so much into others every single day. It is vital we pour so much into ourselves and our overall well being, too. That’s the least we can do for our body.

Leadership can be and often is – a lonely place

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Since I was a young boy, helping my mom setup her classroom many summer days in preparation for a new school year of teaching high school ELA at the now-demolished high school I would eventually attend as a student later in my K-12 career in rural South Central Ohio, I knew I wanted to be an educator. Just like my mom, maternal grandparents and aunt. Those high school visits on those sweltering July and August days in a school that back then was not air conditioned, cemented it, though.

Fast forward 30 plus years as I progressed within my own career and my scope shifted from leading a classroom, to instructional coaching within the faculty to my current role of school administrator and having a more global view, I’ve learned to come to the conclusion that leadership can really be isolating. Leadership is often about making and/or enforcing decisions that are best for the building, school community, district and ultimately the students. It is often a challenge, if even possible to not receive some push back even on decisions that are popular.

As Mandy Gilbert’s outstanding article in INC puts it right out of the gate “leadership and loneliness go hand-in-hand. As the person in charge, it’s inevitable that you’ll be treated with a different regard than when you were a regular member of the team. Those daily 3pm coffee breaks and happy hour invitations are no longer being extended, and your water cooler conversations have become trivial small talk. You’re no longer one of the gang. You’re one of them.”

https://www.inc.com/mandy-gilbert/feeling-lonely-that-means-youre-actually-a-good-leader.html

Being friendly and legit friends are two different things. Critical conversations and decisions are hard enough and inevitable within leadership. Don’t make things more difficult. This was critical within moving to my first school administration position 6 years. Balance is key. I intentionally do not live in the school community I serve, but rather a neighboring suburb in part for separation and mainly for balance within work/life. Mr. Fetters vs. Brendan. Vital for mental, physical and my overall well-being.

Being comfortable within your own skin and remembering leadership is indeed often a lonely place. That is ok. Bouncing ideas off fellow school leaders within your district, collaborating with building peers within leadership to ensure you’re functioning as a true team, a collective unit.

Strong work/life balance. Being able to cut off once the work day concludes, say no to that after hours text message or email thats not urgent. Say yes to taking off email app alerts after hours making more time for fitness, making ample sleep and nutrition a priority just to name a few.

While leadership can be a lonely place it doesn’t mean you’re leading completely in isolation. Find your support system. Discover your balance. Key. Check in on the people you serve ongoing. Let them know that you care. No matter their role. They matter – remind them of this. By doing this in an on-going genuine manner, it makes those tougher “big picture” decisions more connectable often as well. After all, everyone needs encouragement in our fast-paced every adjusting profession. Never forget where you came from. Humility goes a long way.

“If you are a leader, you should never forget that everyone needs encouragement. And everyone who receives it – young or old, successful or less-than-successful, unknown or famous – is changed by it” – John Maxwell

Better together: 2 years later so much has changed… what will tomorrow bring?

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Two years ago today, the Covid-19 pandemic had really started to affect us locally, at state level, nationally and globally. Locally, it had been a few weeks since the first confirmed case. Concerts, the NBA, events and most notably locally, the beloved ACC basketball tournament had all been cancelled. Schools all across our area had closed. The local headlines seemed on the very day (March 13, 2020) our schools all across the state (and for the most part, nationally) closed.

https://www.wral.com/how-long-before-things-are-normal-we-don-t-know/19010726/

Since that day so much has changed in our world and especially our profession. The shift to virtual school, back to in person in a cohort model, back to virtual when variants spiked, mask mandates, vaccinations, boosters, return to school at full capacity, etc. So many shifts in the last school year — enough to make ones head spin when they stop and think of it.

Education is tough. Education during the middle of a global pandemic, even tougher. Now we see more hurdles. The great resignation sweeping the nation has hit our schools, too. With so many staff outages daily, unfilled positions, etc. teachers and school administrators all across the country find themselves often filling these gaps. Trying to maintain daily structure while filling staffing needs however possible is a new level of challenging.

https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/teacher-shortage-attrition-challenges-philadelphia-schools-20220311.html

It is clear the past two years have taken quite the toll on everyone. Our profession is not spared. As we rethink our profession in a post-covid world there is a lot to consider. It is evident we must make the profession attractive to those who might and hopefully would consider entering the field. Stakeholders with most ties to pursestrings depending on individual states’ salary structures would do a great service by making significant adjustments to salary structures within public education. While increased pay would help significantly, especially to those just starting out in the profession it would also assist in attraction to the profession which began taking a hit in the years leading up to the pandemic now even more significant. Expecting professionals to continue to do more with less simply isn’t attainable. We must look at effective ways to rethink how we do things in a post-pandemic world in general, our profession is no different.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90728707/how-to-convince-people-to-become-teachers

As a general rule most of the voices in the back making significant noise aren’t the answer. Arguing over non-existent “problems” and attempting to create political points over such is problematic to put it mildly. We can and should be better as a nation.

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/04/pandemic-p

Take time to listen. Our teachers, administrators, support personnel and most of all, the students we all serve, need us now more than ever. It is so important we support one another. Is it one more thing? Absolutely. Does it take a village? Always. Is it vital for success in a school year truly like no other? You better believe it.

Self care and balance has been the hallmark for many during the past two years. I’ve preached this often throughout and stand by it daily. I can’t say enough how important it is now more than ever to check on each other though. Focus on the positives and stand up for one another. Offer support when needed.

We may not know what the future holds but I am fortunate to work with so many amazing educators both directly and indirectly I have no doubt it will be bright. Better together. We’ve got this. Trust and believe.

Wrapping up 2021. Breathe. Continued balance. Perspective. Repeat daily.

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2020 was a lot. 2021 has proven to be even more. Our profession has really taken a hit locally, throughout the state and nation. Teachers, central office personnel and fellow school administrators are leaving the profession. Maintaining high morale has been a challenge while navigating my own. A few things have kept me balanced throughout navigating my career through the nearly past two years of the Covid-19 pandemic. Making family/loved ones, friends, health/wellness, and hobbies a focus while having clear work/home balance each and every day have helped significantly.

NPR ran the article below today that really hit me.

https://www.npr.org/2021/12/23/1067077413/teachers-pandemic-school-classroom-return-to-in-person-learning

Times are tough in our society and especially education. Maintaining a growth mindset, focusing on our circle of control and silver linings are vital.

Make time daily for wellness. Ideally well over an hour but less if needed. Uninterrupted. Phone in another room. Focused. Peloton is my universe of choice but choose what works best for you and stick with it. Make it part of your day. Completely free of distractions – that is key. You’ll be amazed at how great you feel physically and mentally. Ample sleep nightly and well balanced meals help significantly, too.

Make time for family. If they’re far away — call, Zoom, Facetime. If near make time once a week to see them even for an hour or so. Device and distraction free.

Make time for friends. Make time at least once a week to catch up with friends in some capacity. Also uninterrupted time is paramount here.

Make time for a hobby or two. You can do it solo or with family, friends, loved one(s) just make the time to find the joy. For me it is fitness, going on walks on the greenways or trails, listening to some vinyl, reading, or even the occasional Netflix binge. Find what works for you and stick with it.

Work is vital but it is not our everything it shouldn’t consume our daily lives 7 days a week and 365 days a year. Far from it. Balance.

Focusing on negatives accomplishes nothing and is in fact counterproductive. Focus on the positive aspects of work and life. Yes 2021 has been tough but shown below are just a sampling of some of the positive vibes that 2021 has provided professionally to put things in perspective.

We’ve got this. Happy Holidays and a very happy 2022 to all!

Balance and the importance of self-care in our daily lives

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Two phrases we hear often in not only education but in the work space as a whole as well as throughout society are balance and self-care. Its so easy to go into rabbit holes of work, work, work, and nothing else if we let it consume us. We always have to be sure we make a valiant attempt to strike the right balance between work productivity, life, self-care and making sure are personal connection needs are met,

One of the things that struck me often, especially before the Covid-19 pandemic completely upended our collective worlds in early 2020, was how “great” I was at maintaining a “work-life balance.” Every day I would cut off from from the outside world almost entirely while at work. As soon as I left for the day a switch seemingly occurred, I was done. Able to focus almost exclusively on friends, family and myself for the rest of the day, weekend, etc. I’m very accessible at work — all stakeholders have my direct number — but it was wide known not to contact me unless an emergency after work hours. I had this down.

As the pandemic rolled along and our lives changed to a work from home model and gradually in person then fully in person throughout the 2020-21 school year, I started to read more about moving away from this “work life balance” model and instead thinking of balance as an ongoing circle. This has been something I’m striving to do, and self-care is woven in.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-says-life-balance-111400459.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAACNhWW3DINb6H-7KU7TbYORLN02N4wY8HtGAYCvMssztXxY-7Sa3KgpV80RRgYkpMS5fbTmxYVg1Z4YWzwMFyfqQegmTJpgwfjInFmWZxK2E1CQtSu07WkN77j46wGYKwTUsnlzNUfVh95TWNezU9uaDHbNRQvpBMRsMf8fJ9Qll

https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20210302-why-work-life-balance-is-not-an-achievement

https://www.fastcompany.com/90641070/work-and-life-arent-opposites-and-balance-is-biased-heres-why

This TED Talk really spoke to me. It was filmed just as vaccines started to rollout in early 2021 and we were about a year into the pandemic. Our lives had totally shifted. How do we focus on building capacity in others? Instead of taking on so many tasks ourselves embrace those around us. Share. Lead by example. Shift. All the adjustments that have been made as school leaders from the beginning of the pandemic, ongoing and throughout — wow. Mind blowing in retrospect. What did we learn? How did we adjust? How are we better? How will we maintain balance going forward?

For me personally, I dedicate time and space 6 days a week for self-care in the form of fitness. 30-90 minutes daily. If I have plans in the evening I’ll get up earlier in the morning and knock it out. Must be a priority. For both my physical fitness and overall well being but also time to completely disconnect from the outside world. Excuses go out the window. Just do it.

I also devote time and space several days a week for friends and family. Uninterrupted and again, disconnected. The personal connection time, no matter how busy we get, it vital. Also is completely focused and connected on the person (or people) not our devices.

Time and space for hobbies for me its been walks 2-3 times a week alone or with a friend enjoying the community, nature, the area and fresh air. Refreshing. Also, listening to music, specifically my love for vinyl a few times a week. Losing self in music can be so beneficial. Blogging, writing and taking time to read a book for pleasure can also give great joy. Find hobbies that bring you joy, relaxation and a brief pause from the day to day grind.

All of these forms of self care are also intertwined in our balance and something that is so beneficial for our overall well being.

https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/naomi-osaka-allyson-felix-talk-210616238.html

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/self-care-4-ways-nourish-body-soul-2017111612736

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/click-here-happiness/201812/self-care-12-ways-take-better-care-yourself

We always have ways to stop, pause and reflect. This was an area I struggled with for so long. Now I focus on daily — a priority. All around. Balance. Self-care. Mid-2021 and beyond. How are you doing? Real talk. You are 1 of 1. Limited edition.

Turning the page on 2020 — flipping to 2021

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2020 was a tough year. This is no front page news. Professionally, personally. For so, so many. Myself included.

Throughout this past year I have been determined to focus on almost entirely two things — “silver linings” along with circles of control, concern and influence. (For more on this see the clip of Dr. Covey below)

What do I have control over? What has gone well this year? What are the main silver linings of the day? Week? Month? Year? They are always around – focus on those.

For me my parents recently retired near me. In the past they were several states away and if I was lucky would see them 3, maybe 4 times a year. Now, not always in a “normal” manner I’m able to see them weekly which has been such a blessing in general but especially during a pandemic when in person interactions are at a minimum often.

At work we’ve gained two outstanding educators to our administrative team and several new faculty members who are have fit seamlessly into our lineup and are going above and beyond daily during these challenging times.

I made a goal at the start of the year to go above and beyond with fitness and while the significant shift I knew I needed was expedited by lockdowns early on in the pandemic I’m forever grateful. Having fitness in my daily life again and at a deeper level than ever in my professional life has helped so much not only with my health but also providing daily motivation, peace and balance.

Those are just a few of the truly significant “pros” of 2020. I could go on and on. Appreciate what we have, what we’ve gained from these experiences and how we will add on to this for the new year and well beyond.

Resolutions seem to have more importance to people now more than ever as we leave a year that putting it mildly disrupted our lives and forced us all to significant adapt to sizable shifts within our daily living. When we make them (if we do) it is important to be both intentional and realistic by choosing targeted resolutions that will lead to happiness. This recent article in The Atlantic gives outstanding perspective on this very subject.

Happy New Year! Make 2021 truly great or not. The choice is yours.

Navigating social media during challenging times and lessons learned from a pause in usage

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In the months since I last blogged our collective lives have changed even more. COVID-19 remains with us and without a vaccine continues to alter our worlds. In the wake of the recent deaths of George Floyd and Brianna Taylor on top of years of racial inequities outrage sparked nationwide and even globally. These events have resulted in rapid idealogical shifts along with much needed conversations and in many cases action to lead toward real movements to confront these inequalities all across the nation. By far the positives of people trying their best to become better allies, supporters and friends while deepening overall understanding, learning and growing within the ongoing work was evident throughout social media.

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https://sports.yahoo.com/a-changed-world-mlb-managers-explain-how-they-are-leading-clubhouses-after-george-floyd-coronavirus-003336144.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/11/ceos-unveil-plans-against-racial-inequality-after-george-floyd-death.html

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/16/world/meanwhile-in-america-june-12-intl/index.html

https://www.wral.com/books-for-kids-to-help-spark-conversations-about-race-justice/19128212/

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/13/us/changes-from-protests-george-floyd-trnd/index.html

We all are living in very anxious times during these times of such uncertainty. Since the pandemic rocked the world in March our lives have drastically shifted. We’ve had to collectively shift our day to day lives as we all navigate living with a global pandemic.

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When will there be a vaccine? How and when will large in person concerts and sporting events return? What about schools? When will we have more normalcy in our world? So many questions. So much unpredictability. Social media can assist with the pandemic at local, state, federal and global level when reliable information/sources are utilized.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/managing-stress-anxiety.html

Social media is a great and powerful tool. It’s been a significant part of my life for well over a decade, especially Twitter. I joined the platform nearly a decade ago and had so much impact on my life even once blogged about my entry into the Twitterverse.

I’ve always operated all social media platforms under the mindset of using Facebook and Twitter for good. During these often unstable times this is especially true.

However far too often we see users not abiding by this. Actively complaining, engaging in unhealthy/productive conversations and not abiding by social media etiquette best practices. What value is added by utilizing social media platforms in such a way?

The above mentioned activity became so toxic recently in my own social media circle that I voluntarily cut out all social media for over a week. Logged off my laptop, desktop, all iOS social media apps. Done. Didn’t think about it for over a week. Life went on. The break from the negative energy was refreshing, honestly. I had so much more of my day left. I lived my life completely removed from the social media bubble. After a week plus away I was rejuvenated.

Below are some sound resources on social media best practices.

https://www.houstonpress.com/news/4-rules-of-twitter-etiquette-to-follow-immediately-11271695

https://wlstraininginc.com/social-media-etiquette/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/10-facebook-etiquette-rul_b_9425740

https://topdogsocialmedia.com/twitter-etiquette/

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We are living in very trying times as a society. We all deal with stress in a variety of ways. Be mindful of who and what you represent. Your words matter. Pause and reflect before you post.