Embracing Silence: My Transformative Journey Beyond Social Media

In a world saturated with constant notifications and updates, stepping away from social media feels like a breath of fresh air. Over the past month, I dedicated myself to exploring life outside the digital universe. This break led me to rediscover the joys of reading, enjoy meaningful film experiences, reconnect with my family, friends and nature. Here’s a glimpse into how my journey transformed my daily life.

Rediscovering the Joy of Reading

Books have always been a source of comfort and insight for me; however, I often let social media interrupt my reading time. Without these distractions, I eagerly returned to the large stack of books I had set aside. I love reading real books, I like how they look and feel. The characters become friends, and I love being able to take them along with me.

In December, my sons girlfriend gifted me "The Girl with a Pear Earring" by Tracy Chevalier. This is a beautiful story about the lovely young maid who inspired one of the most celebrated portraits painted by Vermeer. I have always loved art history, and this story is beautifully written.

Historical fiction is another favorite genre of mine. "The Girl you Left Behind" by Jojo Moyes was equally beautiful. The story begins in Paris, WWI and focuses on a painting that survived the war and ends up in modern day London. The recovery of stolen art from both world wars has always fascinated me. This is so lovely, and well written.

I bought "Rosarita" by Anita Desai from a charming bookstore in Charleston called Buxton Books. It's a quick read, less than 100 pages and follows a young woman, Bonita who leaves her home in India to study Spanish in San Miguel, Mexico. While there, she encounters a stranger who insists that she knew Bonita's mother, that her mother was a painter and studied art in Mexico. None of this is familiar to Bonita, and she goes on a journey to discover who her mother really is, what she gave up, and what it all means.

Cinematic Escapism

Free from my phone, I immersed myself wholeheartedly in the art of storytelling through film. My favorite films are often from small production companies, independent films or foreign. When my daughter was a dancer, I would go to the theater while she was in class. I loved it! Much like the books I gravitate to, I like films that are meaningful, well researched, beautifully created, and thoughtful.

For example, "The Brutalist" is about visionary architect László Toth who escapes post-war Europe, arrives in America to rebuild his life, his work, and his marriage to his wife Erzsébet after being forced apart during wartime by shifting borders and regimes. On his own in a strange new country, László settles in Pennsylvania, where the wealthy and prominent industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren recognizes his talent for building. The minimalism of his designs were not always appreciated at the time, but I love his persistence and self-belief, even when everyone around him doubted.

I could watch "Maria" over and over. It stars Angelina Jolie as opera singer Maria Callas and follows the last days before her 1977 death in Paris. The life of great artists are always intriquing to me. How they reconcile the rise and fall of their careers, seems so difficult to do gracefully. Who are we, if not our accomplishmets?

Although I had to skip through large portions of "The Narrow Road to the Deep North", I believe it tells an important story. Amid the despair of a Japanese prisoner-of-war camp on the notorious Thailand-Burma Death Railway during World War II, surgeon Dorrigo Evans is tormented by his past love affair with his uncle's young wife two years prior. The scenes set in the Thailand jungle are incredibly difficult to watch. The Australian soldiers are so malnourished and emaciated, and the torture is so severe that I had to skip several scenes. I was unaware of this historical event before, and it serves as an important reminder of the cruelty of war and how trauma lingers.

Of course, I had to include some tennis. Newly released "Carlos Alcaraz My Way" by Netflix Spain was so insightful, and honestly left me feeling really sad for him. Great talent comes with responsibility, but I am so impressed by his determination to do things at his pace. After watching his incredible French Open final against Jannik Sinner, I think his way is working.

Since I wasn't going to be in Paris for the French Open this year, I love watching Parisian films to help me feel close. I loved "Eiffel" by Martin Bourboulon.

After completing the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel is at the height of his career. His life takes a turn when he encounters his love, and their forbidden relationship motivates him to transform the Paris skyline permanently.

Lastly, I watched "Landfall" on a flight, and I had no real understanding of the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. I'm a huge Bad Bunny fan, and this documentary helped me understand his latest album which is a sort of musical love letter to his home country of Puerto Rico. I understand why his tour includes countries all over the world, but not the US.

Connecting with Family

My family, especially my three kids have always been so supportive of my tennis journey. I think they all saw how social media was effecting my feelings of self worth. I want to be a good example to them, and show them that there is a way to participate and still keep what really matters in life in perspective. We've spent some wonderful time together and we also saw our daughter graduate from The Fashion Institute of Technology with her bachelors degree in International Trade and Marketing. We are so proud of her!

Hudson Elle Andrus

Nature Walks and Mindfulness

When I decided to take a long break from social media, one of the first things I noticed was this beautiful tree with orange flowers on my drive to the tennis club. I drive to the club 3-4 times per week and never noticed this beautiful tree before. It made me realize how much my mind was always focused on my next post, what song should I use, who I need to respond to, etc. It made me realize I'm missing so many beautiful little things in life by being so preoccupied with social media. It was a major lightbulb moment.

The Power of Podcasts

I've always been a huge fan of podcasts. Here are a few of my favorites.

The Tennis Podcast with David, Katherine, and Matt is my favorite tennis podcast. They do daily recaps at all the Grand Slams, and are the best!

Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast is another huge favorite. Rennae is a former professional player and coach. Her along with Caitlin Thompson of Racquet Magazine provide such a great perspective on everything tennis these days. They're incredibly funny, sarcastic, and real. I love them!

Where to Go, The Travel Podcast is the first place I go when I want to research a travel destination. They find experts and locals for tons of destinations and it always helps me feel prepared to visit somewhere new. I listened to their episodes on Barcelona,Valencia, and Seville before my latest trip to Spain.

Mel Robbins Podcast, Goop, & The Daily are some of my favorites that cover issues like current events, relationships, health, and self care.

Key Takeaways

My retreat from social media led to several key insights that I hope will inspire others:

• Mindfulness: I learned the importance of being fully present, whether reading, watching films, or spending time with family. This approach significantly enhances my experiences.

  
  

• Connection: I now cherish genuine interactions far more than online validations. The memories formed during quality time with loved ones are irreplaceable.

  
  

• Self-Care: Focusing on my mental wellness became essential. Nature walks and engaging with meaningful content filled my soul with positivity.

  
  

• Joy in Simplicity: I rediscovered that the simplest things often bring the greatest happiness. Acts like cooking, reading, and enjoying nature have redefined my understanding of joy.

  
  

A New Perspective

Taking time away from social media paved the way for a more fulfilling lifestyle. Embracing silence allowed me to reconnect with hobbies, nurture relationships, and cultivate mindfulness. These rich experiences reshaped my perspective and deepened my appreciation for life's most meaningful moments.

If you have been thinking about a break from social media, I encourage you to take that step. You may discover a world of simplicity, connection, and authenticity waiting for you. Embrace the silence; it could be more powerful than you think.

XO,

Val