Can we talk….?

Social media makes me social. I have so many friends and followers and I’m following even more people. I’m sharing things about my life to the world because they want to know and they’re being inspired. Why else are they following me? Why else do these facilities exist? I am social because I’m talking through screens and to multiple people and all at same time. No time for silence. I’m paying attention. My communication skills have evolved and excelled…

Why then did my sister tell me “we’ve communicated more this month with less distractions than we’ve done in a long while” when I was off social media for the month? It was one of the challenges on my 30 for 30 list. But it wouldn’t be a challenge, of course, because I’m not one of those people glued to their phones – I am social! I guess I hadn’t realised.

My phone became obsolete. I found myself constantly picking it up and just staring at the screen a little dumbfounded. When did I get so engrossed? I’m listening to more podcasts, reading excerpts from different books/articles, using duolingo to enhance my Spanish and by some miracle, the monotonous drawn out talks on BBC radio 4 are entertaining again. Where was all this time before? There’s even time for those random thoughts. Productivity exists and procrastination became more a creative sport.

In conversation, I am listening – the silence works. Mental multitasking whilst communicating is not as prominent. It’s under control and all this from a social media hiatus? But I am social?

Everyone is different and there’s the argument that social media is a form of maintaining contact with old friends and family across the world and does serve as an educational forum (depending on who/what you follow). However, the danger is there. Getting caught up in it all is so simple and you do not realise how attached/habituated you are. Yes, we are “social” but have we not also become more narcissistic, judgemental, compulsive and obsessed? Think about it. More and more videos or pictures posted are familiar. Things that go viral we’ve mostly seen before. It’s a distraction where yes, there are pros and cons but are they even?

I don’t know. I do think social media is useful and it’s only going to get more immense. Technically, I’m using it now, whilst writing this blog – oh the irony and hypocrisy! However, there has to be a balance and I fear this is difficult to achieve because, as with everything, there is always that tendency… And then it becomes about control but who is doing the controlling???

Do you think you’ve got the balance right? Have you tried a good period of time without social media? What was your observation? What are your views?