It’s been three months since I dove headfirst into the social media landscape, and I must say, I’m starting to grasp it in a way that’s surprisingly enjoyable and oddly fulfilling. Just kidding! It’s still completely absurd and anxiety-inducing, leaving me concerned about the fate of humanity. But amidst the chaos, I’ve gleaned a few insights:
- I didn’t realize how much I missed certain people from my past until I reconnected with them.
- I also forgot how some individuals can really get on my nerves until they popped back into my life. (And no, I’m definitely not talking about you!)
- One of the greatest features of social media is the ability to be friends with someone without following them. Just because we’re friends doesn’t mean I want to see everything you post. Honestly, wouldn’t that be a cool feature in real life too? I’d pay a small fee to mute some of the more irritating people while still pretending to care. hand raised
- I’m convinced that Facebook disrupts the natural evolution of our relationships. Sometimes people exit our lives for a reason, and social media makes it too easy to keep them hanging around. It’s like we’ve lost the survival of the fittest aspect—now every last remnant of our past seems to stick around, posting away for our viewing pleasure.
- The nostalgia sparked by Facebook has me romanticizing my younger self in overly sentimental ways. Recently, I came across an old photo that took me back to my 19th birthday—riding down a dim country road in a form-fitting dress, my best friend behind the wheel, music blaring, with a Big Gulp full of booze. That night was a taste of pure freedom, but I often forget the accompanying fears and struggles of youth that were also part of that time. Memories can be quite slippery, especially on social media.
- I crave clear and measurable ways to gauge my self-worth, which makes this whole social media circus particularly dangerous. It tricks me into thinking I can assign a numerical value to my worth and the value of my writing, using a formula like: (Number of likes + Number of comments) / (Number of people reached) – (Number of unlikes) x the square root of CRAZY. That’s my worth, or at least I convince myself it is.
- But here’s what those numbers overlook: the heartfelt message that says, “Thank you for sharing your vulnerability with the world,” the self-doubt I silence before hitting “publish,” and all the personal growth I experience while writing and sharing my thoughts.
- While the internet has been shortening my attention span for years, Facebook and Twitter have intensified the issue. The streamlined feed means I’m just a quick thumb flick away from the next thing I “need” to see, and if I miss that article on how music connects with autistic children, I might regret it forever.
- I will never change my profile picture to “show solidarity” for the latest tragedy. I’m too skilled at convincing myself I’ve taken action when I haven’t. Clicking the like button can feel like I’ve done my part, but I worry it often replaces real, thoughtful action. Changing a profile picture shouldn’t be a substitute for genuine engagement.
- There’s truly some beautiful writing out there that I would have missed if not for social media.
- Beginning something new is always daunting, but it’s unlikely to be the end of me.
In summary, my brief foray into Facebook has been a rollercoaster of emotions, nostalgia, and realizations about my relationships and self-worth. While it can sometimes feel overwhelming, I’ve also discovered valuable connections and insights that would have otherwise slipped by unnoticed.
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