Digital Advice Shorties
Unsolicited, but from the heart
Below is a collection of general digital advice, for anyone who’s contemplating building space in the online world (which I highly recommend). Each of the images attached were created by me, and most (the bird image is the only exception) incorporate simple snapshots taken by my iPhone.
Unraveling.
If you’re reading this, chances are your little corner of the digital world still sits quietly, waiting.
Most of us don’t hesitate because we lack ideas. We hesitate because it feels too overwhelming. Too chaotic.
Too many moving parts, and not enough time to piece them together.
What you need isn’t another checklist.
You need a gentle unraveling.
It took me years to understand the rhythm of the online world, and if I’m being honest, I’m still tending to my own space. (Confession: I have over 500 unpublished posts. Perfectionism stings.)
But here’s the magic:
Once you commit to the unraveling – to carving out time, to making sense of the threads – you’ll be amazed at what blooms.
Opportunities will begin to unfurl in front of you, quietly and steadily, like the first shoots of spring.
And best of all, you’ll begin to leave behind something rare and unmistakable:
your own digital footprint.
There’s nothing quite as thrilling – or as lasting – as that.
Unravel your digital space.
Tapping.
I like to imagine the digital world as a vast, open landscape – untouched, unclaimed, stretching endlessly before us.
A place where, as a society, we’ve only just landed.
In my mind, it plays out like The Martian – Matt Damon wandering across a raw, alien terrain in slow motion. (Fun fact: the movie earned a 91% on Rotten Tomatoes, but honestly, the book deserves even higher.)
The best part about this analogy?
In this story, you get to be the main character.
You land on your own little piece of digital earth: a blank canvas brimming with possibility.
All you have to do is hold your breath, take that first uncertain step into the unknown, and begin to explore.
There are no maps here. No limits.
Just the thrill of discovery.. and the space to build something that’s entirely your own.
the digital world is still untapped.
Steering.
Tips are fabulous. Take them in by all means.
But always with a grain of salt.
Treat advice like a fine wine:
Let it swirl around your senses.
Let it breathe.
Savor it for a moment before deciding whether it truly suits your palate.
Over the years, I’ve tasted some truly exceptional advice – the kind you want to linger over.
(And, to keep the metaphor going, I’ve also had my fair share of watered-down Kool-Aid.)
Remember: your digital space is yours.
It deserves your own unique flavor.
The more you trust yourself to infuse it with your voice, your quirks, your originality, the stronger the connection you’ll build with your audience.
Originality isn’t just preferred, it’s what makes people stay.
Don't let others steer your boat.
Introspecting.
It’s always easiest to look outward when placing blame.
It’s much harder – and far more uncomfortable – to look inward.
But real growth? It demands regular self-dissection.
Here’s why that matters:
Building a digital presence means stepping into a realm of constant social interaction – a realm that’s still relatively new for all of us.
Finding the right balance between cutting yourself some slack and holding yourself accountable is essential for survival here.
The more often you pause to self-reflect, the more small cracks you’ll find to mend – and the stronger your foundation will become.
Confidence is born here: in the cross-pollination of good intentions and regular “oil changes” of the soul.
It’s not just okay to pivot. It’s smart.
You can shift the tone of your messaging, switch platforms, refine your approach, or even step away for a breather.
Every tweak, every honest adjustment, fuels forward growth.
In this space, the real secret isn’t perfection.
It’s the willingness to evolve.
Frequent introspection fuels growth.
Barking.
There’s no shortage of advice out there about expanding in the digital world and, unfortunately, no shortage of judgment either.
If you ever find yourself feeling exposed or stung by harsh voices as you navigate the vast online space, take a breath.
Most of the noise you hear is just that – bark without bite.
True criticism, the kind that helps you grow, is rare.
The rest is just background static: easy to tune out once you remember who you are and why you showed up in the first place.
Don't be afraid of anyone's bark.
Remembering.
As thrilling as the digital world can be, it’s far too easy to get pulled into its gravitational force — a virtual black hole.
And that’s no accident.
This space is engineered to be addictive.
If you’ve ever flipped through Nir Eyal’s bestselling books – Indistractable or Hooked – you’ve glimpsed the mechanics behind the scenes.
(Eyal, after all, helped design some of the very technologies that keep us scrolling.)
You can even catch him sharing insights firsthand in a SoMeDocs series I curated – it’s eye-opening.
The point is simple, but vital:
Take breaks.
Breaks are your protective suit.
Each time you step away – to laugh with the people you love, to breathe in moments offline – you replenish your purest oxygen.
And in this fast, buzzing world, protecting your air supply is what keeps you truly alive.
Remember that there's a real world, too.
Traveling.
Nothing will ever replace the thrill of real-world adventure.
But if we’re being honest, the digital space comes surprisingly close.
Surfing the web, if you think about it, is its own form of travel.
We move through virtual landscapes, landing in places that spark our curiosity.
We tour unfamiliar sites, stumble upon humor, insight, and unexpected education along the way.
As unsettling as it might feel to admit, we really are building an entirely new world here: one click, one connection at a time.
So go ahead. Start exploring.
Take this opportunity to travel far and wide across the virtual airwaves.
No airfare required.
Just do me one favor: buckle up.
Adventure still awaits, even here.
Travel on the airwaves.
Respecting.
I’m not suggesting we all throw ourselves into passionate embraces, despite what my slightly overzealous paper-mâché photo might imply.
But I am suggesting we practice something just as important:
Respect.
The digital space is a busy, ever-shifting highway.
You’ll encounter countless travelers along the way, each carrying their own stories, personalities, and perspectives.
Not everyone will move at your speed.
Not everyone will see the world as you do.
And that’s okay.
In all the chaos and collision of ideas, respect is what keeps the journey human.
Carry it with you. Always.
Love really does conquer all.
