This blog is my barefaced admittance that social media, in general, bothers me. Does some aspect of it bug you too?
My Beef
Years ago this brand new virtual world was thrown at us and we were given no instructions on how to use it. We’ve had to make up our own etiquette or simply follow the one that our peers put forth.
I’ve talked to people about some of my issues with this new world. I know people who can’t relate, who are not fazed by it. They either just live offline, or they aren’t affected by many social things in the “real world” either. Then there are the many who have agreed that some part of social media rubs them the wrong way.
I’m just not following why we seem to blindly and fully partake in the negatives of the virtual world that sometime upset us. Not to mention, something that has the potential to take time away from “real life.” I decided I didn’t want to do that anymore. And I certainly didn’t want my kids to grow up negatively impacted by it either.
When the negatives of the virtual world intruded on my own contentment, I did what many people do and took a “social media break.”
What followed the break is much more important.
Only Using What Adds Value
I began slowly and meticulously only adding back parts that add real value to my life. I didn’t want to commit to a completely “offline” life (which I knew wasn’t sustainable for me), but I knew clearing the social media clutter was a top priority.
It was also important to me not to take a break only to fully go right back to the platforms. I worked to simply rid myself of the aspects of social media that bother me. As a result, I’m able to work towards a more perfect union with social media, and consequently, all things in my world.
Starting the Conversation
In sharing my thoughts I hope to inspire to you use social media instead of it using you. At the very least I hope to continue the trend of normalizing discussions about social media’s sometimes bothersome tendencies. This is an open invitation to join me in changing your relationship with it, or with whatever needs changing in your world.
Happy reading!!