"Are You Crazy?" - A Business Owner's Social Media Fast

"Are you crazy? As a small business owner, you can't be off social media—your business will suffer!" This was just one of many reactions I received when I announced my decision to include social media in my 21-day fasting and prayer journey.

On the morning of January 6th, doubt crept in. I made one last check of my social platforms and called my husband, seeking reassurance. "Am I crazy to step away from social media as a  business owner? I could limit it to just work-related posts..." His response was simple but profound: "Think about your current clients. How many came from social media?" The answer? None. "Then I think you'll be okay if this is important to you."

This conversation reminded me of one of my clients—a company that takes two scheduled two-week breaks annually: one during the holidays and another in summer. These breaks aren't vacation time; they're strategic pauses for their entire workforce. When I first learned about this practice, I was struck by their intentional approach to "fasting" or "detoxing" from regular business operations. They understood something crucial: stepping back allows you to refocus on what truly matters.

Was stepping away from social media difficult? Absolutely. Did it require tremendous discipline? Yes. Did I feel disconnected? Without question. But breaking from the norm, despite its challenges, demonstrated a commitment to something greater than maintaining an online presence.

In business, success isn't always marked by grand, flashy moments. Instead, it's built on daily discipline—consistent work, intentional planning, self-care, and regular reflection on your company's broader purpose. This discipline typically paves the way for lasting success.

During my 21-day journey, I not only grew in my faith but also found time to read three transformative books: "Two Week Notice," "4-Hour Work Week," and "Who's at the Head of Your Table." These works shared common threads: efficiency as a cornerstone of success, and the importance of stepping aside occasionally to lean on trusted advisors while building another layer of faith for me.

Am I happy to be back on social media? Yes. Does our society actually support breaking from the norm? The existence of PTO, vacation time, and sabbaticals suggests we do. This intentional pause has sharpened my focus on creating meaningful content for small to medium-sized business owners.

Sometimes, the "crazy" choice of stepping away can lead to the most clarity.