5 Things I’ve Learned From Taking a Break from Social Media as a D.E.I. Leader

In February 2022, I decided to take a full break from social media for 30 days.

This turned into a 9 month’s break…and it was accidentally the best decision I made for myself.

First, some context:

As a D.E.I. and HR Leader, I found myself called to social media, not to get more exposure but to give more exposure to the work itself, in an attempt to help me understand how to get beyond what I have long-called “ DEI on a shelf” work and into work that actually moves the needle in organizations to actually be equitable and inclusive and not just say that they are.

I was in the habit of posting regularly and then 2020 happened. And transparently, I convinced myself that I had a responsibility to share more, be more present, and do so on a daily basis even on the days that I was so tired of the news and what was happening in our world that I wanted to cry and crawl up in bed and pretend like the absolute madness didn’t exist.

But I didn’t pretend. And I stayed posting daily, hoping that if I did so one of my daily posts would reach more leaders, more companies, and there would be more meaningful change.

Now, do I believe that some people changed as a result of what I shared? Yes.