WINSTON WEEKLY[1]

Vol. 2, No. 12

March 24, 2024

A DIFFERENT SPRING BREAK

Having recently spoken with a college professor regarding her sabbatical and presented to elementary education students on reading, I decided to take a social media spring break. Both engagements were insightful and delightful and caused me to pause and reflect on the past 38 years. In 1986, I graduated college a week after my 20^th birthday and was about to start law school. We didn’t have the internet, computers, tablets, cell phones, or social media. What happened between then and now is a road I have been fortunate to travel, even in the worst of times.

Deciding to take a social media spring break (except for my weekly blog and newsletter) did not come easily. “Hooray for Friendship Saturday” on Facebook will be on pause, at least in terms of Saturday posts. There will be missed birthdays, anniversaries, celebrations, pictures, and much more. But there are benefits to reflection without scrolling. To thinking without commenting, liking, loving, or using emojis. To see what can be gained while also missing out.

How long my social media spring break will last is to be determined. I intend to “see how it goes”, not unlike some spring breaks I took in college and law school. I am not dismissive of the fact that I recently came to connect with many gifted individuals through social media, Zoom, and interviews and podcasts, including PR From The Heart, Sticky Lawyers and Briggs on Books. To John Reed, John Masoiulionis, Erin Saxton, Mary Asaro, Scott Feld, Liliana Tommasini, Dr. Jim Price, Natcole Staskiewicz, Chandra Lockett, Everly Cade, Dorenda Doyle, Allie Davis, Teresa Verduzco, Deborah Saracini, Jordan Nightsage, Jane Maleriado, Mike Briggs, Pat Zietlow Miller, Shannon Anderson, Raven Howell, and others, thank you.

THIS WEEK’S ACTIVITY

Check out your local library, Barnes and Noble, or a new or favorite Indie or other bookstore and see how many books you can find by the people mentioned above, or perhaps some other favorites. If Easter is your thing – and even if not – gift a book in a basket with some other items such as pens, paper, erasers, and bookmarks.

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[1] Copyright March 24, 2024. Please feel free to share with the appropriate attribute. Winston Weekly is a weekly Sunday newsletter by Alysen Bayles, Founder of Bayles and Bruce. “Learn, live, love, read.” Alysen’s views are her own.