Life Beyond the Scroll

A Real Connection

Earlier this summer, I made a choice that shifted everything: I quit social media. In one click, I left the “virtual party” behind, and suddenly, life felt...real. Down-to-earth and connected. I found myself reaching out to friends and family in ways that felt old-school but meaningful—text, email, actual phone calls. It was like rewinding to the ‘90s, back when life wasn’t filtered or staged, just lived. Only now, I’m the grown-up, with kids of my own, rediscovering what it means to be present.

Without the pressure to capture and curate moments, I’ve been soaking up memories for myself, not a feed. There’s no urge to prove anything or keep up with trends. Just life, as it is. And in that space, something remarkable has unfolded.

Creating Beyond the Noise
Since stepping away, I’ve poured my energy into projects that feel deeply meaningful. I’m writing a book about freebirth—a book I hope will resonate with women seeking their own power and intuition. It's a journey I’m passionate about sharing, and without the daily social media noise, I’ve found the mental space to write with heart and purpose.

I’m also crafting a course on detoxing from social media, which has been therapeutic in itself. Looking back, I wish something like this had been available when I was constantly opening apps out of habit, scrolling mindlessly, and comparing. It’s ironic to think about marketing an anti-social media course through social media, but it’s also a full-circle moment; after years of running social media ads and campaigns for others, I’m creating something of my own to market that I genuinely believe in.

A New Kind of Productivity
It’s funny; I started this Substack to share pieces of my journey, to write out parts of my book and the course as blogs. The plan was to post bi-weekly, but I quickly realized something about my process: when I dive into an idea, I go all in. The book took priority, and the Substack slowed. But I’m okay with that, because meaningful progress is happening.

Writing here has turned into an organic space for updates on my path rather than a rigid schedule, and I think that’s how it’s meant to be. In stepping away from social media, I’ve found that every project I take on now has a clear purpose, one that doesn’t need validation from likes or followers. And when I’m ready to launch, I know where to find you all—right here.

Embracing Freedom, Connection, and the Path Ahead
Reflecting on these past few months, I realize how much has shifted in our lives. As I’ve stepped away from social media and become more immersed in writing, our days have taken on a slower, more intentional rhythm. This shift aligns with the lifestyle we chose when we decided to travel full-time with our kids. Letting go of the traditional “road map” and living minimally has allowed us to fully explore the world as a family, just as homeschooling has allowed us to discover and nurture our kids’ unique needs outside the confines of a typical classroom.

Whether we’re hiking through remote villages in Brazil or learning together on the road, our journey is all about creating meaningful connections—both with each other and the world around us. For me, leaving social media has been about deepening those connections even further.

So here we are, sharing bits of this journey through Substack, where each post reflects a different layer of the life we’re creating. From worldschooling to homeschooling, to freebirthing, writing books, and now to this experiment of living without social media, my hope is that my stories inspire you to embrace a little more freedom, explore your passions deeply, and make connections that truly matter.

Until next time,

Shannon Marie