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The Art of the Social Media Break: Staying Creative with Pen and Paper
(While Keeping Your Audience Engaged)

Quick note… the last few weeks have been rough. For those of you who know, in addition to my entrepreneurial journey, I have dedicated the past 7 years to working in the aviation industry as a inflight crewmember for my favorite airline. This is a job I really love to do and it’s presence in my life feeds my creativity.
Just 3 days ago, American Eagle Flight No. 5342, which was operated by PSA Airlines, collided midair with a Sikorsky H-60 helicopter while approaching a runway at Reagan National Airport. I wanted to take up space to honor all of the victims including the flight crew who lost their lives that day.
I also want to hold space for all of peers, who still had to get up the next day, holding their tears in while we got our customers where they had to go thinking about our brothers and sisters in wings that did not make it home.
This has me broken, and my feed is full of aviation news, the political discourse around the accident and just a flood about all the bad things that have happened in aviation in the last few years. I needed to tune out, so I went into my archive are reworked this piece because I thought it would be relevant to anyone that feels they need a break…
This is what I can afford you today as I mourn.


The world is burning,
and stepping away (although very necessary) from social media can feel like disappearing. But what if I told you that taking a break doesn’t mean you have to unplug from creativity—it’s about reconnecting with it in a more intentional way?
Sometimes, we get so caught up in content calendars, engagement metrics, and the pressure to stay visible that we forget to actually create. That’s why stepping back can be a game-changer, not just for your mental health but for the quality of your ideas. And when you do, I suggest picking up the OG creative tool: a pad and pen.
But here’s the real secret: your audience doesn’t even have to know you’re gone. By creating evergreen content ahead of time, you can take a well-deserved break while your brand stays top of mind.
Social media is designed to keep us consuming, reacting, and producing at a pace that can be overwhelming. If you’ve ever felt drained after mindlessly scrolling, struggling to come up with fresh ideas, or second-guessing your posts before hitting "publish," it might be time to pause.
A break allows you to:
✔️ Reset your creativity without external noise.
✔️ Reduce the pressure of constant output.
✔️ Rekindle the joy of creating for yourself before the algorithm.
✔️ Gain clarity on what you actually want to share when you return.
But let’s be real—many of us rely on social media to keep our brands, businesses, and creative work thriving. So how do you step away without disappearing?
How to Use Evergreen Content to Stay Visible While You’re Offline
Evergreen content is the gift that keeps on giving. Unlike time-sensitive posts, it remains relevant long after it’s published, making it perfect for filling the gaps while you’re on a break.
Here’s how to set up your content so your audience doesn’t even notice you’ve stepped away:
1. Batch and Schedule Your Best Content
Before taking a break, dedicate time to batch-create content that speaks to your brand’s core message. These could be:
Timeless tips and insights in your niche
Repurposed top-performing content
Thought-provoking quotes or reflections
“Did you know?” posts that educate your audience
Then, use scheduling tools like Later, Buffer, Metricool, or Meta's built-in planner to automate posts across platforms.
2. Repurpose & Remix Your Past Content
Not everything has to be brand new. Some of your best content already exists! Try:
Turning a long-form post into carousel slides
Updating an old blog post and resharing it
Reposting high-engagement content with a fresh caption
3. Set Up an Email or Blog to Keep Your Audience Engaged
If your audience is used to hearing from you daily on social media, offer them a deeper experience by:
Scheduling a newsletter with valuable content while you're away
Publishing a few blog posts that live beyond the social feed
Creating a short automated email series related to your niche
This way, when you’re off socials, you’re still actively nurturing your audience.
4. Create “Conversation Starters” to Spark Engagement in Your Absence
A great trick to keep your audience talking? Post open-ended questions that encourage engagement while you’re away. Some ideas:
“What’s one thing you’re working on this month?”
“If you could ask me anything about [your niche], what would it be?”
“What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?”
These types of posts invite discussions that can sustain engagement—even when you’re not actively replying.
How to Stay Creative While on a Social Media Break
Once your evergreen content is working behind the scenes, you can actually step away and recharge. And this is where pen and paper come in.
There’s something magical about physically writing down your thoughts—ideas flow differently, distractions fade, and creativity feels more personal.
Here’s how to use a pad and pen to keep your creative spark alive while taking a social media detox:
1. Brain Dump Your Ideas
Write down every random idea that comes to mind—without judgment. Content topics, storytelling angles, captions, even half-baked thoughts that don’t make sense yet. The goal is to get it out of your head and onto paper where it can evolve.
2. Journal for Clarity
Use this time to reflect.
What do you love about content creation?
What’s frustrating?
What do you actually want to put out in the world?
Sometimes, stepping back gives you a clearer view of what’s worth your energy.
3. Doodle & Mind Map Your Next Moves
Sketch out your ideas visually. Whether it’s:
A loose mind map of upcoming projects
A rough outline for a blog post
Just doodles that help you think
This is a low-pressure way to let creativity flow.
4. Write for Yourself, Not the Internet
So much of what we create is meant to be seen, liked, and shared. But what if you wrote something just for you?
A personal essay
A letter to your future self
A poem or short story
This type of writing brings back the joy of creating without an audience.
5. List Your “Comeback” Content
As you write, you’ll start to notice themes emerging. Maybe you’ve uncovered fresh perspectives, new content angles, or even a shift in how you want to show up online.
Start curating a list of posts you want to create when you return—without the pressure of posting just yet.
Coming Back With Intention
When you're ready to return, you won’t be scrambling for content ideas. You’ll have:
✅ A notebook full of inspiration
✅ A collection of pre-written evergreen content
✅ A renewed sense of why you create in the first place
A social media break isn’t about disappearing—it’s about reclaiming your creativity on your own terms. And when you come back? You’ll be sharper, more intentional, and creatively recharged.
So, when’s your next break? And more importantly—where’s your notebook? ✍🏽

Virtual Training
Calling All Activists, Community Leaders & Changemakers! ✊🏽
The world doesn’t change on its own—it moves because we move. Because we organize, speak up, and take action. If you’re out there doing the work—building, advocating, amplifying, and leading—this is for you.
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Social media isn’t neutral. For activists and community leaders, digital platforms often silence critical voices—whether through shifting algorithms, shadowbanning, or de-prioritization of social justice content. While these tools can help spread awareness, they are not built to sustain movements.
If your work is getting buried online, this session is for you.
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What You’ll Learn:
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✅ Success stories from activists who built sustainable movements beyond social media
I believe that knowledge, community, and empowerment should be accessible to everyone.


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