About the Decapitated Giraffe...

election season & other life things

As I drove my two children (under three) to daily Mass this morning, I relived the morning. I’ve taken a lot of steps to simplify our lives lately, and it has really helped cut down on the big rush in the morning. However, my sweet two year old has hit the stage of VERY STRONG likes and dislikes. Current dislikes? Trees, and riding in his carseat. Here I was feeling so proud of myself for having all three of us looking decent, getting out of the house to make it to Mass on time AND packing snacks for the park afterwards…when he lost his ever loving mind about getting in the carseat.

Let’s just say I’m not much more patient than my toddler, as humbling as that has been to discover, and a small skirmish ensued. I won. As we chugged down the road, things had calmed down, thanks to the peaceful strains of “Muffin Man” blasting, and I was thinking about how I probably (definitely) could have handled that better. But overall, you’re doing a good job, I told myself.

Approximately .2 seconds later, pieces of foam giraffe began hitting me in the back of the head. First, a body without a head. Then small pieces of the head. Side note: if you are not yet a parent, PLEASE DO NOT EVER SAY my child won’t do that, because it’s a rule of the universe that they must, then, indeed do that thing. To be fair, I never said “my child would never throw a destroyed foam giraffe at my head while driving,” but I would have if I had known that was an option.

My first inclination? Irritation. My second? Laughter. Because here I was, patting myself on the back, and here Jesus was saying, “I love you, but calm down.” Ok God, I hear you loud and clear, thanks to the decapitated giraffe ;)

Humility. For about three years straight now, it seems to be my constant companion. Reminders that anything good comes from HIM, using me as his hands and feet here on Earth. Anything bad is simply me, in my broken humanity.

I’m about to make a topic pivot from parenting to social media, which better writers than me can do without introduction. However, this transition will be a bit bumpy, so I thought I’d toss out a warning.

Humility has led me to much discernment about social media usage. Do you mind if I share with you where I’m at? Because it seems to be a bit of a crossroads, and frankly I’m not sure which direction to choose long term, but I’ve made some decisions for now.

We are right in the thick of election season. And I’m not going to lie to you, this is my Super Bowl. I love it all. But as I lay in bed nursing this morning and scrolled the headlines, gauging what might be worthy of sharing with you, dear reader, I was reminded of the futility of short sound bites. Of headlines that continue to share the same issues we are already aware of in our communities. Of the currency of fear and discord both sides are quick to use. What could I share that might actually move the needle?

Social media has bred a generation that thinks we need to be an “expert in our niche” and sell a course on it. No shade if you sell a great course, I love that that is an option for folks. HOWEVER. Not everyone that knows how to play the IG algorithm game is an expert. Ask me how I know ;) I have nothing to share that you couldn’t find out on your own. No secret sources and no insider knowledge. In fact, if you could see my DMs, many of you are much more informed and well spoken than I am. I don’t know how to move the needle. And yet, for some reason, the Lord has given me this platform.

A few months ago, I added “faithful > successful” in my bio. I read that this morning, and was reminded of the thought that’s been bouncing around in my head constantly the past few months. What does being successful in the eyes of the Lord look like for me, right now, in my quest for Heaven? Does it look like sharing headlines? Does it look like leaving Instagram? Does it look like living that quiet interior life so many saints talk about? Does it look like finally prioritizing a consistent podcast I’ve had in my dreams for so long?

While I reserve the right to change my mind (I’m a girl ok,) here’s where I’ve landed at the moment.

1. Inspired by Allison from Married and a House, I plan to be on IG only two days (TBD which ones) a week, because I DO believe that it is valuable for learning, for community and for making connections.

2. You’ll be seeing me here on Substack more often! I know long form isn’t popular anymore. It’s ok. I don’t need to be popular. (Emails may make their way to your inbox now and then as well.) Everything will remain free. (HUGE thank you to the folks who are paid subscribers just to support these kind of conversations, you’re a blessing.)

3. I need your feedback on this one! I want to make this a true community effort. My thought to set up a voicemail that YOU can call. In my head I’m calling it “Crowdsource Catholic” because I’m a sucker for a good title. Basically, I’ll throw a question out there, and ask you to call in and leave a VM response that I can share. Sort of like my DMs, but for all of us. I’ll make compilations and share them in some form or fashion. I’d love your genuine thoughts on if you’d call in or want to listen!

Honestly, is this where you saw this going when you read the title? Because even I wasn’t sure we’d end up here, ha.

I still think current events matter. I believe they speak to the larger overarching themes that are common to the human experience, the battle of good versus evil, and I believe that God wants me to use this platform to keep starting conversations about them. But maybe less headlines and more calls to action. Maybe fewer reels and more long form on important topics. Maybe less of me and more of the community.

If you’re hanging with me through this ongoing discernment, thank you. Will you pray for me? I’ll be praying for you!

Talk soon,

Bridget