September Recap & Personal Updates: A Bonus Week Before Privacy Pleasure

Why I'm Leaving Meta Platforms and What It Means for Digital Security

Author

Amanda Nelson
October 01, 2025

⚡ TLDR: What You Need to Know

For busy readers: Here's what matters most from this week's newsletter

🎯 The Big Picture: This is a bonus week! We're wrapping up September's back-to-basics journey and sharing some important personal updates before diving into October's "Privacy Pleasure" content.

🔧 What You Can Do Today: Reflect on what you learned in September and consider how those foundations will support your digital security journey.

🛠️ Tool to Try: Revisit the 3-folder rule or data flow mapping from September if you haven't tried them yet.

🐍 Key Wisdom: The Wooden Snake's "observe before you judge" principle: understand your current situation before making changes.

📢 Important Update: I've officially left all Meta platforms due to data handling concerns and closed the Pythoness Network to focus on sustainable work.

Read time: 4-5 minutes

A Bonus Week: September Recap & Personal Updates 🎉

Hey there, creative friends!

This is a special bonus week! Before we dive into October's "Privacy Pleasure" content, I wanted to take a moment to celebrate what we accomplished together in September and share some important personal updates that directly relate to our upcoming digital security journey.

What We Built Together in September:

September was all about getting back to basics. We focused on building the foundational skills that make everything else possible:

  • Digital file organization that actually works for your brain

  • Data flow mapping to understand how information moves through your systems

  • Workflow optimization that supports rather than fights your creative process

  • Tool selection based on your unique needs and working style

Why This Matters for Digital Security:

Here's what I've learned after years of helping creators build secure digital systems: the best security is the kind you don't have to think about. It's like having a good foundation under your house—you don't see it, but it keeps everything stable and safe.

The organizational skills we built in September? They're the perfect foundation for the security practices we'll explore in October. When your files are organized, when you understand your data flow, when your workflows are optimized—security becomes a natural next step rather than an overwhelming addition.

What's Coming in October:

Next week, we're diving into "Digital Security with Serenity" and introducing a concept I'm calling "Privacy Pleasure." We're going to build the security practices that protect your creative work without creating anxiety or overwhelm. And it all starts with understanding that good security should serve your creativity, not fight it—and it can actually feel good.

Personal Update: My Security Journey and Why I'm Passionate About This

This week, I've been reflecting on my own digital security journey, and honestly? It's been a wild ride from complete chaos to (mostly) organized protection. I want to share this with you because I think it's important to know that everyone starts somewhere, and there's no shame in the journey.

The Security Wake-Up Call That Changed Everything:

Over the past few years, I've been trying to teach my mother-in-law about two-factor authentication, why passwords are important, and more importantly, the changes in security now that AI can take over entire workflows for organizations. It's a scary world now, and when my father-in-law passed away last year, her ability to sit at the computer with patience and understanding completely disappeared. I set her up with our family plan for 1Password to help consolidate her passwords when her index card system kept failing us.

The Wooden Snake's Wisdom in My Security Journey:

What changed everything was applying the Wooden Snake's "observe before you judge" principle to both my own digital security and helping my mother-in-law. Instead of panicking about the AI security landscape or trying to fix everything at once, I took a step back and observed the situation. What was actually working for her? What was causing stress? How could I make security feel less overwhelming during an already difficult time?

The Transformation That Followed:

I started small with my mother-in-law. One password manager to replace the failing index card system. One account with two-factor authentication when she was ready. One secure file-sharing method that didn't overwhelm her. Each step built on the previous one, and slowly, I realized that good security isn't about perfect systems—it's about finding solutions that work for people during their most vulnerable moments.

What I've Learned About Security and Compassion:

The biggest surprise? Good security isn't just about protecting data—it's about protecting people during their most vulnerable moments. When my mother-in-law could access her accounts without stress, when she felt confident about her digital safety, when she had systems that worked with her rather than against her—it gave her back some sense of control during an incredibly difficult time. Security became a form of care, and I started to understand what I now call "Privacy Pleasure"—that satisfying feeling when your digital life is organized, protected, and working smoothly, especially when you need it most.

A Personal Decision: Leaving Meta Platforms and Closing the Pythoness Network

I have some important updates to share that directly relate to this month's focus on digital security and the Wooden Snake's wisdom about "observing before judging."

Why I'm Leaving All Meta Platforms

After months of observation and reflection, I've made the decision to officially remove myself from all Meta platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and their other properties. This decision comes after watching their consistent mishandling of user data and their continued problematic approach to AI chatbot guidelines, as detailed in this Reuters investigation.

The Wooden Snake's Warning in Action:

This decision aligns perfectly with the Wooden Snake's warnings I shared earlier this year about the "Silicon Shedding its Skin" and the need to observe before judging. The Wooden Snake teaches us to adapt to the tool's true nature, and after careful observation, I've realized that Meta's true nature doesn't align with my values around data protection and creative work.

What This Means for My Social Media Presence:

Moving forward, you can find me on:

  • Bluesky (my primary social platform, DMs open)

  • TikTok (for now, though I'm evaluating this regularly)

  • YouTube (for longer-form content and tutorials)

Closing the Pythoness Network

I've also made the difficult decision to close the Pythoness Network Slack workspace. This wasn't an easy choice, but it's one that feels right for my current needs and energy.

Why I'm Stepping Back from Community Leadership:

I've done this to myself a few times now, and I'm learning to trust that pattern. My body and complex mind feel significantly less stress when I'm:

  1. Not using Slack regularly

  2. Not responsible for leading a community

Community leadership often makes me neglect the other communities I do want to participate in and be part of. The Wooden Snake's principle of "adapting to the tool's true nature" applies here too—I'm learning that my true nature includes being a participant in communities rather than leading them.

What This Means for Our Connection:

This newsletter remains my primary way of connecting with you, along with my Software Psychic Sessions and the platforms I mentioned above. I'm focusing on longer-form content and sustainable work that serves both my needs and yours.

Service Updates: New Async Software Psychic Sessions

I'm excited to share something new that's been in the works for a while: Async Software Psychic Sessions! This came from listening to your feedback about wanting support but needing flexibility with your schedules.

What Are Async Software Psychic Sessions?

These are 20-minute intuitive readings delivered as private Loom videos, perfect for busy schedules or when you prefer to receive guidance on your own time. I'll review your project or web presence, then deliver personalized insights and recommendations in a video format you can watch whenever works for you.

How It Works:

  1. Book Your Session: Choose the async option at pythonessprogrammer.com/async

  2. Share Your Project: Fill out a detailed intake form about your project, website, or digital presence

  3. Receive Your Reading: Get a 20-minute private Loom video with intuitive insights and practical recommendations

  4. Watch Anytime: Access your reading whenever fits your schedule

Pricing: $30 for a 20-minute async reading Book Here: pythonessprogrammer.com/async

What to Expect Next Week: Digital Security with Serenity

Starting next week, we're diving into "Privacy Pleasure"—a calm, accessible approach to digital security that supports your creative work. Here's what we'll be building together:

Week 1 (October 8): Foundation Security

  • Password management that actually works for your brain

  • Two-factor authentication without overwhelm

  • Building your security foundation one step at a time

Week 2 (October 15): Privacy & Data Protection

  • Understanding what platforms actually collect

  • Privacy settings that make sense

  • Protecting your data without paranoia

Week 3 (October 22): Secure Communication & File Sharing

  • Safe ways to share your creative work

  • Email security that doesn't complicate your life

  • Building secure workflows for collaboration

Week 4 (October 29): Integration & Future-Proofing

  • Making security a natural part of your creative process

  • Building systems that grow with you

  • The complete security foundation for creatives

My Promise to You:

We're approaching security with calm, accessible methods that work with your brain, not against it. No overwhelming technical jargon, no one-size-fits-all solutions, no shame about where you're starting. Just practical, sustainable security that supports your creative work and helps you discover your own "Privacy Pleasure"—that satisfying feeling when your digital life is organized, protected, and working smoothly.

🎨 Support the Pythoness

Ways to support this work and connect with me

💬 Software Psychic Sessions

Ready to build brain-friendly digital systems?

  • 20-Minute Software Psychic Session ($30): Quick guidance and ideation for specific workflow challenges

  • 60-Minute Software Psychic Session ($60): Comprehensive workflow audit, system design, and energy-aware automation

  • NEW: Async Project & Web Presence Reading ($30): 20-minute intuitive reading delivered as a private Loom video asynchronously, perfect for busy schedules

  • Book a 20min session | Book a 60min session | Book async reading | Learn more about services

☕ Community Support

Love this newsletter? Here's how to support the work:

  • Share with a friend who could benefit from brain-friendly tech guidance

  • Buy me a coffee to support my free content creation

  • Join the conversation on Bluesky for ongoing support and connection

  • Follow the journey on YouTube for behind-the-scenes insights and tutorials

📧 Stay Connected

Thank you for being part of this community of conscious creators and tech-savvy humans.

What's Coming Next Week

Next week, we're diving into "The Foundation of Digital Security: Why Your Password Strategy Matters." We'll explore how to build a password management system that actually works for your brain, why two-factor authentication doesn't have to be complicated, and how good security can actually support your creative confidence.

I'm excited to show you that digital security doesn't have to be scary or overwhelming. When done right, it's just another tool that supports your creative work and gives you peace of mind.

This Week's Reflection Questions:

Before we dive into October's content, I'd love to hear from you:

  • What was your biggest takeaway from September's back-to-basics content?

  • Which tool or concept from September has made the biggest difference in your creative process?

  • What's your biggest question about digital security as we prepare for October?

  • How do you feel about the personal updates I shared today?

Remember: security is a form of self-care for your creative practice, and "Privacy Pleasure" is your right. You deserve to feel confident and protected in your digital life.

With gratitude for this community and excitement for the calm, accessible security journey ahead,

Amanda

P.S. If you found this newsletter helpful, please share it with others who might benefit from calm, accessible digital security guidance. The more we can build creators who feel confident and protected online, the better for everyone.

Resources Mentioned:

Community Question: What's your biggest question about digital security? Reply to this email and let me know!