As you all know, I’m an avid user of multiple social media
sites. You’re looking at one right
now. I’m constantly checking them in
every form- whether it is on my computer, iPad, or phone. I’m not afraid to admit it, and I know it’s a
bit of an addiction.
As much as I love using social media for a number of
reasons, I know that it is important to take a break from it all and go
“screen-free” every once in a while. And
I am vowing, here and now, to make more of an effort to do so. And I hope this inspires you all to do so
too. Blogging, vlogging, and things
related to promoting my work online are a huge part of my life now, but they’re
not everything. I also love reading, writing
stories, and so much more. And lately I
don’t do as much of those things. (and
hey- these are experiences that I can share with you all after the fact!!!)
Let’s break it down even more. When I joined FaceBook as a senior in High
School in 2009 (I was late to the game), I wanted to connect electronically
with friends that I knew I would be leaving when I went to college, but I also
just wanted to be ‘cool.’ The
result? I now hardly use the site, and
honestly, don’t really even like it. Yet
I stil feel the need to check it multiple times a day, just out of habit. I mean, really, what’s the point in
that? Can someone please explain this to
me? It’s had its uses- for Program Board
we had groups for committees and exec board that we used to communicate
immediately, but other than that, why bother?
Twitter and Instagram I love the most currently. But even Twitter I feel as if I have nothing
worthwhile to post other than promotions for my blog. When I post other random tweets I feel
awkward. Instagram mainly consists of
dog pictures. I’m uncomfortable with the
‘selfie phenomenon.’ Maybe if I have a
really good makeup look one day I would post it, but I can’t see myself doing
that on an everyday basis. The only
selfie I’ve ever posted was when I had my Sephora makeover done. Which was special occasion, so in my mind, a
‘worthwhile’ moment.
Tumblr, to me, is a way to express my inner opinions and
fandom obsessions. It’s really my
personality in a social media site. More
visual than this blog. It’s a fun site,
and I love it, but I have gone through phases with it where I don’t touch it
for months.
I definitely have a love/hate relationship with Pinterest,
and now that I’ve discovered and become more involved with Luvocracy, Pinterest
has fallen to the side.
There are other sites and programs that I don’t use as much,
or in the social way that they were necessarily intended. For example, I love using Spotify to listen
to music, yet I don’t have my profile advertised to you guys to check out
playlists that I’ve created. I have a
GoodReads account, and it was only in the past few days that I really got into
it and started checking out how awesome the site can be. I’ll have all my links down below so go check
them out and follow me!
My point in all of this is that social media is great. It’s completely changed our generation. The way people communicate, the way companies
market products and services, just everything has evolved even in the past five
years is unbelievable to me when I think about it. But there are downsides to it. When I’m out with friends and they’re all
glued to their phones when I’m trying to talk to them- I know I’ve done it too,
I’m not innocent here, but still. Or
when we do it to our parents or grandparents.
Let’s put DOWN the phones and disconnect for a while.
It’s definitely a challenge now that we’re all so used to
it. But when it comes down to dinner
time, I’ve gotten accustomed to leaving my phone upstairs, and on silent, in my
bedroom when I help my Mom cook, the family eats, and we clean up. That’s about an hour and a half without my
phone. Sure, when I pick it up again I may have a few messages, but who
cares? Next, I want to add a daily walk
with the dogs/or something like it that is relaxing for myself where my phone
gets left behind. Disconnecting and
taking time to myself to just think and be alone is relaxing. That time during dinner with my family, I
hardly even think about my phone.
So go ahead and do it.
Let me know if you do. I want to
hear your story. Are you a connection
addict like me? Don’t be shy about it- I
won’t judge! Leave a comment and let’s
support each other on this challenge!
Until next time, Happy Reading,
Allison
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