I’ve been MIA. I admit it. I’ve been missing from this Blog and from many other matters. I could blame it on Lent or Easter, or my sister having her 2nd baby (adorable boy) or family being here over a month etc., but the reality is I often get burned out from all the social media and its subtle expectations.
I’m on LinkedIn for professional reasons. I have a Facebook Page and manage that about once a week. I have Twitter mostly to monitor my son’s account on Twitter and his FB Page. I don’t have, nor want, all the OTHER media sites out there: Instagram, Snapchat, Vine, et al. I can’t even imagine adding those and my head would probably explode.
Social media is not evil in itself, but I find it increasingly more difficult to ‘carve out’ silence, quiet time, and real-time interactions with real human beings. We must remember social media presence is in addition to all the emails and phone calls that need a response or at least a reading.
So I took a break from my Blog. I exercised. I played dollhouse with my niece. I drank Rose′ with my mom. I actually took the effort to call friends on the phone (yes, with a real phone and voice conversation).
I just got burned out from it all. That has to be okay even in 2016.
Over the past few years, I’ve read several Twitter feeds and one in particular, I saw about 50 different posts through-out the day. Basically this individual is living ‘through’ social media. Not living within the concept of a ‘present moment’ or as time truly exists. I find that very odd. Living through the camera, or selfies or recording every moment of your life is actually NOT living. I’ve tested this.
For example, I love to watch my son’s basketball games. I sometimes pull out the iPad and record several minutes or take some pictures. Mostly because we know he’ll enjoy them when he’s older.
However, you know when I enjoy his games the most? When I am fully present, watching, cheering and NOT capturing them through a technological medium. I’m there ‘in the moment’ enjoying it in real time forcing my mind to record its own memories.
I worry about this generation that lives via social media 24/7. It’s almost as if I imagine they get anxiety NOT holding a device or not reading on-line or not conversing or venting through these sites. I find it odd and sad, I really do.
I suppose I show my age, but not necessarily. I think it’s a matter of: “Are we comfortable in being not doing? Are we at peace with true silence? Can we confront OFF social media face to face or must we hide behind electronics? Are we truly present? Do we love ourselves without the ever famous selfie?” I think the selfie is the most insecure thing of all.
Oh, I’m back. And sadly because I, too, must be back. Social media is here to stay. We can take breaks, but we can never fully say goodbye.
See you later. My apologies in advance. -C. Nor
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