Hello friends!
How is it already the middle of April?? By looking outside, I’d barely know its supposed to be Spring, but such is life in central Canada. We complain, but there is something intoxicating about the prairies. Something that keeps you so rooted, where you know nothing else could ever feel like home.
While I’m sure you didn’t even notice, I took off all of March from Facebook & Instagram – and yes, those are all of my avenues of social media. No Twitter, Snapchat, Pinterest, or the like. I had been feeling too sucked in to the online realms, so on somewhat of an impulse, I decided to stay offline for 31 days. Yes, I understand the irony, since I put my blog posts on Facebook, but I will side step that for now. Before anyone feels the need to be a whistleblower, I did use Facebook Messenger the odd time, but I used the separate app (so as to not be on Facebook), and it was only used as an email server for some time sensitive items.The most critical part to my successfully completing the 31 days was to remove both apps from my phone. That was definitely my greatest “triggers” in my compulsive usage, so that had to be the first thing to go.
In short, I LOVED my March. At first, there was the definite “twitch” of picking up my phone for social media purposes whenever a moment of boredom arose, but once that faded it was so much better to live in the real world. That’s really what the majority of social media usage is anyway. Am I interested in the lives of those around me? Sure I am. But not every single time I would sign on to either app. The majority of the time it is just an impulse – an insecurity to be seen alone without something to distract, a bad habit, or a time killer. But the more time I spent away from all the social and political drama, useless posts, or just general negativity and time wasting, the more I wanted to pull the plug forever. Instead of stopping to take a photo to post or thinking up a witty caption, I just lived in that moment. I experienced, I gave people my full attention, I wasn’t distracted with things that don’t matter. I wasn’t concerned with getting a good handful of “likes” (which is a lost cause for me anyway), or about online acceptance. I just lived and it felt so good.
There is a practical aspect to Facebook that makes it a bit harder to shake – and that has to do with communication. I missed a friend’s birthday party (sorry Leah!) because I never got the notice. I didn’t RSVP to a fun event I was invited to, which is something I just detest, because the common courtesy of attendance response is just not so common anymore.. On the other hand, if it were super important to the host, I do have a functioning phone to which I respond.
I will admit that towards the end I was looking forward to signing in once again. Mostly just to spy on the lives of those around me and to see what had occurred that month. But that did not last very long once I did log in. It was primarily business as usual, or I was reminded of all the reasons that I wanted to disconnect. I realized that life goes on, and reaches so far beyond the confines of a filtered photo, or a sassy status. Life is for living, not posting. Is it nice to see what the goings on of those around you are? Sure, especially if they live far away. But this past month only affirmed what I already knew – those I want to stay in contact with, I will (and vice versa). It is not social media that keeps us together, but intentional community.
With all of this in mind, and the self-given permission to be on social media again, I think I could honestly say that I could do without. For me, it would be easier to give up Facebook over Instagram, but I could likely give up either. Will I? Not at this point, but I definitely don’t spend time online like I used to – and I like that 🙂
Instead, go outside, call up a friend, or learn a new skill. These things have so much more value and bring so much more happiness. If social media worked to bring people the happiness they’re searching for, society would look so different. Instead, we lose out on productivity, contribution, new experiences, real connection, and real life.
The point of all of this – various ranting aside – is to remind a society too addicted to their phones to look up! Prioritize things of lasting value, real happiness, and contribution. It is truly doable, and was actually easier than I thought. I hate to have turned this post into a PSA, but perhaps its the challenge that some of you have been looking for.
Now get offline 😉
LP
thepaetkaulife 