For several years I’ve had a strong urge to quit social media, but as a photographer it never felt possible. I tried everything to limit my time on the apps, but after years of trying and constantly falling back into the scrolling hole of hell, I realized the only way to stop was to quit completely. The week of Christmas I did my annual shut down of Instagram, Facebook and newest addiction TikTok, but this time I went more extreme. I blocked all the individual websites on my computer, deleted the apps on my phone and installed a blocking app, so even if I tried to re-upload the apps, they wouldn’t work. In the past there were always ways to sneak a peak and although I could go in and unblock the websites I blocked, I didn’t this time. When the holidays were over, the clarity I had in my head and the peace I felt, not to mention the time I got back in my life was so substantial that I continued it for an extra week and then another and then another until I decided to give it up for the entire year. I mean the worst thing that could happen is my entire career goes up in flames since it is the number one way I communicate with my followers. It’s a risk I’m willing to take.

I’m fortunate in that I’ve been doing photography for the past 14 years and have a good client base and connection to the community around me. To anyone that doesn’t own their own business, especially one in the creative field, this may seem like it’s not a big deal, but it truly can make or break you in the photography world. This decision hasn’t come lightly, but the release on my mental health that deleting social media for not even two months has had is so substantial, that if for any reason my inquiries were to drop, I’d rather seek a new career path. I have faith that won’t happen.

In the month and a half break, I’ve grown closer in my faith with God, I’ve had more patience with my family, and I’ve reduced spending habits (you’re welcome, hun!) Of course, I feel like I’m missing moments in people’s lives that I love. I’ve had fear that I will lack inspiration to develop my eye for photography, but what I’m gaining is so much more.

I’m gaining the confidence to reach out to friends more often and when I see them, I’m truly curious what they have been up to and how they are doing. I’m going back to the old way of directly asking my clients to share their photos with friends and family and encouraging them to refer their friends and family. I’m spending the time I used to spend scrolling my phone, learning more about my faith and being present with my kids. I’ve developed a deeper love for my husband and have found the joy of being bored.

I’m not saying I’ll never go back to social media, but for the time being there is so much more goodness in my life without it. So much more peace. So much more presence. So much more life I’m living. If you ask my husband, I’m an all or nothing type of person. It’s not necessarily a good trait. It’s hard for me to live in the gray area. I know there are many people out there who can manage their time well with social media, but after years of me trying to live in that gray area, I knew I had to give it up entirely or it would be where most of my memories of my family would live when I’m 70 and look back at my life. It’s insane the hours I spent looking at my phone, how much it was constantly glued to my hand. I didn’t realize how little time I spent looking at my own children because I was staring at my phone so much. It breaks my heart the minutes, hours, days, weeks, and months when you add it all up that I’ve spent looking at my phone and not at them; that’s a hard one to say out loud. The value of being present is too big of a gift that I let go of the past several years and I don’t want to let it go ever again.

So what does this mean for Tiffany Kokal Photography moving forward?

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All that to say, if you are a former client or friend, or even if we have never met and want to meet for a coffee, reach out! I’d love to hear from you, catch up and just check in, from friend to friend. I’m here if you need one.