So, I’m thinking about disconnecting from the social media whirl, just pulling the plug. This is not a histrionic ohmigod I’m overwhelmed. It’s more of an I-don’t-quite-see-the-point sort of post. By now most people have figured out what their favorite social media outlet is – if they choose to partake. I’ve recently accepted that Pinterest is mine. I love Pinterest. It’s visual and reduces human interaction down to virtual nothingness.
That’s my kind of social media. (I know, it’s not very…y’know…social.)
Folks keep espousing the need to be genuine, to be themselves, to connect with folks in all forms of social media. I don’t think I’m very good at doing that. I want to connect with people, but maybe I need other methods than relying on social media interaction.
I like information. I like the curation and dissemination of data. Social media is good for that. Don’t like my approach? Well, that’s okay. Guess what? We don’t have to be one-size-fits-all. If I don’t like your approach, I have choices. So do you… which brings me back to my point.
I keep thinking about dumping most of my social media outlets. I have a Facebook author page that’s pretty stagnant. In the beginning it was a fun means of interacting with folks who were interested in my stuff but then things got complicated. Too few posts reach any audience. Facebook suggested I promote. Okay? I guess it’s a cool thing that they make the option available, but I’m not paying Facebook to reach folks who can connect with me in other venues. Besides, it was fun to chat and visit – now it feels like work and I already have a job, several in fact. We don’t all have the same goals when it comes to interacting – even as authors.
In truth, I’m just not a big fan of Facebook. If it weren’t for the groups I belong to and the enjoyment I get from watching memes scroll through my feed, I’d have already jumped ship. I know other folks love it – and more power to them for finding their niche.
Same thing with Twitter and Google+. Both are interfaces which have the potential to be fun and entertaining – but it’s not the way I prefer to spend my time. Interestingly, almost everyone I used to visit with in those venues is also no longer active. At all. Linked-In remains a mystery to me – one I don’t want to solve.
The times, they change.
On a related note, the universe has punctuated with startling clarity during the last year just how fragile and delicate is life. I’ve come close to losing a loved one twice and did lose a very dear one recently. In the hum of day-to-day living, through the passage of every twenty-four hour cycle, the strength of electronic social interaction grows increasingly inadequate for me. Unimportant.
So, there’re some thoughts about me stepping off the people-mover and walking by myself for a bit. Hooking up with old friends and re-connecting in person over a cup of coffee and a beautiful view offers a special kind of appeal just now.
Do you ever take a break and step back from it all? Does the intrusiveness of media and technology in our daily lives chip away at our collective peace of mind at the same time it enriches our lives? What do you think?
Lesann Berry 
#1 by tracikenworth on March 15, 2015 - 7:24 am
Hope it works out whatever you decide.
#2 by Lesann Berry on March 18, 2015 - 9:13 pm
Thanks, Traci. I’m sure it will. I’ve fallen off the social bandwagon before. lol
#3 by patriciasands on March 15, 2015 - 12:47 pm
I hear you, Lesann. Sometimes I wonder about it too although at this point and after almost 5 years of “working it”, I seem to have achieved results. Interestingly, I am on it less now. I lost a very dear friend on Friday and nothing makes us sit up and take notice more than that. Life is short. We need to fill it with what is most important to us. You know that wherever you are, people who care will find you. I’ll be watching and listening to hear what you decide. ❤
#4 by Lesann Berry on March 18, 2015 - 9:18 pm
So sorry to hear about your friend, Patricia. I agree that life is short and taking time away from more trivial activities to spend time with our friends and family always seems like a positive change. I like your thoughts about people who care will find you and I think that is especially true. I’m glad you’ve found some return on the investment – I can say that I have too, it’s more a matter of deciding if that’s where I want to continue putting energy. I won’t disappear though! 😉
#5 by Tammy on March 16, 2015 - 9:06 am
I’ve been having the same thoughts in regard to Facebook. It was great to connect with old friends, but it’s a huge time suck. I prefer to socialize in person with those I can. I prefer a real life relationship over a virtual one. I haven’t cut FB out altogether, but I spend far less time on it now.
#6 by Lesann Berry on March 18, 2015 - 9:20 pm
I know what you mean about time suck. I have to remind myself of all the things on my to-do list, not to mention all the other things I keep saying I want to do, every time I find myself in the social media vortex. I’ve re-connected with old friends and made new ones but I miss spending time in person. Speaking of which… when you coming westward? Did I mention I’ve taken up spinning? My office is a woolly mess now.