Dare Dreamer Entertainment

The Sites & Sounds of Creative Expression

Hasta La Vista Baby (Until September)

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I’m doing it again—taking a social media break. That’s right. You heard me (or rather, read me) right. I’m taking a break from the social media scene. This time though it’s a lot more structured and purposeful. It’s just for the month of August. (FYI, I’m celebrating my 9th wedding anniversary this week, so the timing couldn’t be better). The last time I ventured into these waters, it had more to do with letting go of something that I was placing too much value and self-worth in. This time it’s more about keeping life balanced and in perspective. It’s kind of like a fast (which is apropos as I’ve just come off a 7-day liquid food fast.) Here are the top 3 reasons I am taking a month off the social media scene.

  1. Perspective. As I mentioned before, I want to keep this all in perspective. When I re-energized my social media mayhem last November after a 4-month hiatus, I came back strong. Ever since January, I’ve blogged nearly every week day and my traffic has been the highest it’s ever been. I even got to the point where if you Googled FCPX, my blog was the #3 main link. I want to remind myself that my self-worth and value is not all tied up in how many Twitter followers, Facebook friends, or blog views I have. The best way to do that is to leave it alone and learn not to fret.
  2. Redirection. One of the reasons I was committed to having a blog post every weekday was to build up my writing habits. I want to redirect the time and energy I put into blogging into my script writing, as well as the writing I actually get paid to do. I am a contributing writer to Professional Photographer Magazine and EventDV and there many blogs posts I’ve written for free I could have been paid decent money for. It’s all for you. 🙂
  3. Inspiration. I hope that many of you who read my blog will be inspired to take your own social media break. Cut off Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and any other type of social media for a set period of time. If you can’t handle a month, try a week or two. See what happens. (If you can’t disconnect yourself from social media for even a week, then you have a real problem you need to investigate).

The Podcast

If you haven’t already heard it, be sure to download the latest episode of Crossing the 180. This is the big four-oh episode, starring the DSLR Three Amigos, Patrick Moreau, Kevin Shahinian and Joe Simon. The only way get it is by subscribing in iTunes. You don’t want to miss it. Part 2 will air when my break is over, September 1.

While you’re looking at the iTunes page, download some of the other earlier episodes with amazing filmmaking guests like Book of Eli co-director Albert Hughes, Alcon Entertainment head of production Yolanda Cochran, 24 DP Rodney Charters, Terminator Salvation DP Shane Hurlbut, HD DSLR guru Philip Bloom, Zacuto co-founder Steve Weiss, and many more. Check out the list below with links to a select number great episodes from 2011.

We also have a slate of other amazing guests already lined up and interviewed including social media videogs/photogs The Bui Brothers, YouTube Next Up winner and The Fuplers creator Matt Koval, and Da Mayor and first lady of wedding filmmaking, Steve & Laura Moses.

Ron’s “Best of the Best” Blog Posts

If you’re new to my blog and are now bummed to find that I’m on break, no worries. I’ll be back before you know it. In the meantime, below is a great Blade Ronner primer. Some of my favorite posts from the past year. For those of you who have come to enjoy reading my blog every day, I encourage you to go back and catch some posts you missed. Or maybe re-read some of the favorites that generated a lot of discussion. Until I return next month, here is a list of a “few” of my favorite blog posts over the past year.

See you in September.

Comments

  1. I commend you Ron, you are a great example. Best of luck getting recharged. My church just had a conference this weekend which was amazing, encouraging and convicting all bundled together. Topic was “Ordinary People, Extraordinary Things”. The whole idea about how God looks for the weak, unskilled, untalented, ordinary people to become great in His eyes. One of the sessions was on priorities and making yourself undistracted enough to hear from God. Man.. we need to unplug on a regular basis, for the health of our family and ourselves. I will be taking an intensive 4 day get-away to a place that has prayer cabins in the middle of the woods.. no electricity, wifi, cell coverage or anything! Just me and God. After I fight the awkward silence it will be incredible. I always come back strong. My wife reminds me that sometimes I need to get away to get strength and bring it back for the family. I am excited for you Ron, thanks for all your contributions to the creative community.

    Dan
    LiveWire Films

  2. Give up social media????!!! You got me hooked & now you walk away??!! 😉 Ha, I will try, but giving up FB would be like not answering my phone or responding to emails. It truly has become an integral part of our marketing & has really kept our name out there. Forums? that’s a whole another animal. I hope you spend some of your off time finding more sponsors for this wonderful Blog, you have a lot of eyes on this page…good luck and see you in a month. Thanks Ron 🙂
    What you do is appreciated

    • You make a great point about how social media plays into business. But I have all my FB notifications come to email, so I won’t miss any business inquiries that way. I just won’t be posting any FB or Twitter updates.

      Thanks for your kind words about the blog. I have some exciting things I want to do with it when I return. 🙂

      And for the record, I’m replying to this comment via email. 🙂

  4. I agree with Steve, that what you do and provide this community is much appreciated. It’s free education, and you can’t put a price tag on what you have taught us all, it’s priceless. Schools out for the summer. This final blog post before your hiatus is the best “summer reading” list! You have me hooked for the Part 2 on 9/1! I have my social media hiatus planned, but it doesn’t occur until the snow flies. Happy Anniversary Ron & Tasra 🙂

  5. Hi there…I’m hearing you Ron. I am forever trying to take ‘breaks’ from social media too. It just all gets a bit much sometimes. I’m all for new technology but perhaps we will need to be more mindful of our usage of all this new media? http://the-lady-lounge.com/

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