'Adieu to August'
August gave us one final flourish of summer, with glorious sunny days, caressed by sweetly scented warm breezes. The blooms grew taller and prouder for their final show, and the landscape vibrated with life and energy.
I will miss this month, as it has been quite a cathartic and productive time for me. I said farewell to my resin work, and welcomed a new direction. I am learning and starting out once again, and it is a refreshing and necessary thing for me to do. Seeing my capabilities beyond one medium, and carving my own identity with them is just what I need.
Staying away from social media has had quite an impact too. I feel a lot more ‘free’ and focused. Although I love to share my work and daily adventures, it had started to make me feel increasingly unmotivated and mentally exhausted when the engagement became almost non-existent. In my opinion social media is fast becoming a place for people to watch from afar, and no longer participate in. This of course directly effects all small businesses who use it to reach their customer base. I often find it ironic it is called ‘social’ media when there is really no social aspect to it anymore.
I have realised regularly writing my blog to be a lot more beneficial to me. There is no pressure with likes, comments, outreach and the mysterious inimical algorithms. I enjoy to write; words and storytelling has always come naturally to me. It is also an outlet for my other passions; photography and videography. I can still reach people through my blog, and know I am reaching the right people.
I will return to IG sometime, but for now it is not a platform I enjoy or even miss. Have you taken a retreat from social media also? Tell me your thoughts in the comments below.
For now, enjoy a little video I made of August condensed into a few precious minutes. -Gillian x
All images and content are © LOST FOREST by Gillian Corcoran. All rights reserved.