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What If I Paused? Creating Without Social Media

  • Writer: Pam Baldwin
    Pam Baldwin
  • Apr 11
  • 3 min read

Pam Baldwin can you pause social media

What if I did something kind of crazy—something that makes no logical sense from a marketing perspective?


What if I paused?

What if I started creating without social media?


A pause from posting, scrolling, strategizing.

A pause from entertaining so I can lean more into creating.

Not a “I’m stuck” pause.

Not an “I quit” pause.

But a “this no longer fits me” pause.


My instant thought is: I can’t do that.

What if no one ever reads what I have to say?

What if no one finds my content?

What if I create... and no one sees it?


Let’s take it back.


Pam Baldwin teaching at Women in Motion GWEN program on social media

Social media has been good to me. It helped me grow my business. It gave me a place to showcase my art. It opened doors to teach, speak, and even become a college professor. I use it every day in my job with Women in Motion because it works. And let’s be real—it’s free. For nonprofits and small businesses, free marketing is gold.


Why would I give that up?


I love seeing entrepreneurs and small businesses “do the thing.” I see their content and think, Man, they are doing awesome. 

I love to encourage them, coach them, help them show up strong in a space that, when used with care, can be powerful.


But lately? This place feels like noise. Not the noise of what I’m putting out there… but the noise of trying to create it.


It’s the noise of stepping out of the moment to make something perform.

The noise of curating and entertaining.

The pressure of likes before purpose.


And here’s the funny part


I started this blog and immediately focused on... social content. Not because I had to. But because that’s what I know.


I posted what I wear—because I love styling outfits.

I shared where I shop—because a good thrift find brings me so much joy.

I threw out snippets and pieces of life.


But the more I posted, the further I drifted from the core: writing, creating, reflecting.

The exact reasons I started this blog in the first place.

Pam Baldwin Artist

And did you know I haven’t painted—really painted—in months?


Why? Because I convinced myself that if it wasn’t “good enough to share,” then it wasn’t worth creating. What in the world!?!


And then last night, surrounded by artists, I felt it again: energy. Shout out to the one and only Dana Holliday for her amazing show.


Called to Create


I feel called to create.

But the distraction of entertaining? It’s getting in the way.

The pull to post for likes, not for purpose.


I don’t want fame, remember I see myself on a hiking trail, not in the limelight.

I want to be known for my character, for my kindness, for the way I encourage others to shine. And in that—I don’t want to dim my own light... I just want it to speak for itself.

I want to create not for applause, but for impact.

To make things that land softly in someone’s life at just the right moment.


Creating without Social Media


So here’s what I’m doing:

I’m pressing pause on creating content to entertain.

I’m focusing on writing, creating, and sharing in ways that feel rooted and real.

You might not see me posting as much, but you’ll find me here. On the blog. In the quiet corners. Still creating.


And no, this isn’t a 40-day Lent-type pause or some dramatic exit.


If I have something to say, I’ll say it.

If I have something to show, I’ll show it.

But I won’t post for strategy’s sake.



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