When my Dad was alive, he used to announce that he didn't like looking at the tops of people's heads. He was talking about the current epidemic of compulsive smart-phone-checking at all times: at lunch, while walking...whenever. I'm guilty as the next person, but after he said it, I realized that not only is it rude to your companions, but it signifies that we have a hard time disconnecting.
Social media is here to stay. You old fogies can run but you can't hide. You'll just be left in the dark. I have a few friends my age who are very wary of social media (Honestly, I pity them a bit). I tell them that TwitFace is as much or as little as you want it to be. It's like a water cooler in an office. You can wander over and have a quick chat, or you can hang around all day (and probably get fired).
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| Sometimes you just need a literary non-masterpiece / page-turner in your life (and a 16-year old cat who likes to eat book covers) |
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| My comment in green- see how honest I am? Plus I love Janetha's reply |
When I got back to civilization, I decided that I wasn't ready to get back to the TwitFace yet. I was enjoying my break- even from blogs, and even from my beloved Instagram! I just felt like I didn't want to feel like I needed to check anything or feel unsettled if I was behind on any feeds. Unless it's actually for work, social media should feel like fun, not work.
So here I am, a week or so later - to tell this tale. I'm still basically unplugged, except for email and the odd blog (yes, it is very, very odd). And yes, I miss the social banter and the fun photos. I miss being creative and sharing and learning. I'm sure there's some great chia oatmonster recipe that I'm missing out on, temporarily. I do miss all the truly great blogs and the people behind them, but my friends know how to contact me. Unfortunately that might require a view of top of my head. But way less than before.
Q: Do you find yourself compulsively checking in with your social media outlets (blogs, TwitFace, Instagram, emails, etc). Are there any that you are more 'addicted to' than others? Have you ever tried to disconnect? How'd that work out for you?
26 comments:
Do you find yourself compulsively checking in with your social media outlets (blogs, TwitFace, Instagram, emails, etc). = 8998 times per day
Are there any that you are more 'addicted to' than others? = my own blog just monitoring it. and about 10 blogs that no matter what, i read and comment on daily. ok, make that 15-20.
Have you ever tried to disconnect? How'd that work out for you? = yes, i feel out of touch, grumpy and out of sorts. i do better when im connected. to a POINT. A break is good for everyone. or a cutting back. i go thru phases where i comment on less and read in stealth. or not at all.
glad you're doing what you need to do!
Totally I am a social media whore! ha ha ha x x
Unplugging is good! And I have done it several times, and I also go on "social media diets" quite often... It can be hard to find the right balance... I really try not to check my phone when I'm with others unless absolutely necessary (which it usually is not). The other night we watched a couple out to dinner, and they seriously spent 90% of the time on their respective phones...
my blog was down for a while (a week) a few weeks ago. I went to bed earlier, got thing done, spent more time with REAL people. It was needed. Now I have a better balance and I think we all need that. Well said Deb. Now don't go poke your eyes out. they are too pretty.
I used to stay on computer at night reading blog after blog but it really fed my ED plus my husband was not too happy with my constant reading. Here lately I have read less at night - except for a few blogs (ahem)! Of course, my main problem is clicking the commenters links, which takes me longer than I intended! I'm trying to really cut down at home but at work (where I am now) I use my iPhone to read and comment. This is where I do most of my reading, in between specimens of course!
I do like unplugging but at first I feel like I'm missing out but then I think, who cares? What will it really matter in a year? Nothing! But time with family will matter so I'm trying to wean myself off the useless and focus on 10 or so of my favorite blogs.
Instagram I still l still love, but I'm not on there that long.
I deactivated my facebook but I do read Twitter alot.
But I'm glad to see you post - you obviously are one of my favorites!
Missy
Unemployment has caused me to connect a little too much unfortunately. I spend so much time inside the house waiting for job leads and etc. I am craving a good few days with no internet!
Averie- I don't know how you manage your own super popular blog with the quintrillion comments you get, AND read 15-20 blogs AND work, AND be a mommy- you must be superwoman.
Andrea- it's so maddening and sad when people are on their phones that often- whether talking or reading. I've looked in horror at large tables where EVERY.SINGLE.PERSON is showing me the top of their head. I feel like an old fogie but I just tsk tsk in my mind.
Tam- I didn't know that!!
MIssy- clicking on the commenters and links is what I call falling into the blog vortex. While I love it because I'm introduced to new, cool people/sites/info, I get mad at myself because the whole evening can be chewed up- poof-gone. And if I was doing much interacting on my iphone near you, I'd just send you my eyeballs for your next specimen.
Lindsay- I know! Going to be earlier! Sleeping later- feeling more rested- SUCH a boon!
Amanda- yes, it's easy to do when that laptop is just staring at you and you're already there looking for jobs anyway- then it's easy to get stuck into the vortex. I have tons of internet right now but as Andrea said "I'm on a social media diet" :-)
My inlaw's log cabin in Maine used to have only dial-up email and no cell reception and I LOVED it! They actually got internet now but I still hardly used it while there - the point is to get away. Unplugging is very much necessary sometime although most days I feel like I have to go, go, go. Good for you for changing that!
PS - I'm hosting a pretty sweet giveaway - just today. If you happen to be on your computer, check it out :)
Something in the air I think...I've been in the same mood lately. Not sure if you noticed but I stopped twitter-ing entirely after a week. I could feel myself getting stressed about the "need" to check it.
I've been the same way about blog-reading. Though I don't read that many I do have a handful that I like to check daily. Lately, it's been down to two (yours obviously and thankfully you're quality over quantity) or three and not even daily. I feel so behind on some that I don't even want to start up again because I know that I will want to read all the posts I've missed....ugh.
I'm hardly the techno/social media kind though...still have a flip phone (never even use my 300 min/mth.), no twitter account and basic internet. Can we say a little out of touch?
At the same time...I take nice long walks and actually look at people and nature, pet sit and read the newspaper daily! I do love e-mail and local RSS news feeds.
Anyway...I really wish we lived on the same coast at least because I think someday we need to meet and not even glance at the tops of our heads (:
Umm I might be slightly addicted to my smartphone even though I can't have it at work. And the idea of not having internet...terrifies me. I think my biggest fear was the power going out during the Hurricane and I'd have entertain myself without electricity...
Hahaha I love that you posted that! I also love that I taught you how to do the screen shot. I am so tech savvy :P
As you know, I have been forced to disconnect. But even before I was internetless, I had the desire to disconnect. I was tired of blogs. Not tired of the friends I have MADE through blogging, but just tired of reading blog posts. A lot are similar and, quite honestly, forgettable. Mine included. I am sure I am missing some serious gems out there, but if there is a really good post, I bet someone will send me the link. Also, I brought this up to someone recently--if I don't see a friend for a month and then see her, do I know EXACTLY what she has been up to? No. So why is there a need to read EVERY post from EVERY blog friend? Knowing that much about someone is just not necessary. Plus, it makes me value the time I do have to catch up with them.
Cheers to unplugging, and thank God we have texts ;)
Love you! See you soon!
Elina- I think that dial up is FAR worse than having no internet. Because you sit there screaming at the computer to hurry up! :-)
McIntosh- I hear ya. I think that for me- I jump into things 100% and want to be a part of all of it. Then all of a sudden, I've overdosed and I need a break. This happens on a pretty regular basis. I just don't announce it and I usually don't take a break as long as this. And I'm pea green with envy over reading the paper- I bought one yesterday and guess what- never had the time to read it. I always feel that it's so important to do this, but I never have done it.
Sarah- no food or water didn't scare you, but no internet did? That's funny!
Janetha- You ARE so tech savvy and I LOVE those kinds of tricks. If I wasn't into Instagram/Twitface etc, I'd never learn these things, so I do love them all. I just get overloaded and need to cut out for a while. So any other cool tech savvy things you can think of, just save them for when I resurface :-)
We don't have internet at my cottage, so I find myself unplugging a lot lately whenever I'm there. Honestly, without the internet, I find I sleep more. No really, I fall asleep out of pure boredom.
I stopped seriously reading blogs over a year ago when I moved to Toronto. I spend maybe an hour on it every three days or so. I comment less, I "mark all as read" more, and I find myself enjoying and savouring blogs a lot more when they're fewer in between. Also, I don't read boring blog post for the sake of reading them. I only have time for interesting things in my life :) Which says a lot seeing as I read ALL of this blog post and am now also taking the time to comment! Har har.
As for Twitface, Instagram, etc etc, I neverever go through and read all the feed. My old roommate felt like she HAD to go through and read every single tweet that went through her feed. I would go batty with all the "good morning!" and "great salad for lunch!" posts. I just put on Tweetdeck when I'm on my computer, otherwise I forget all about it. I LOVE Facebook for connecting and communicating with real-life friends though. How else would I organize a brunch date? By calling and talking to them? Pfft :P
Okay. I'll shut up now. Love you xoxo
I unplug All The Time. at the conference this weekend, everyone all around me was tweeting and blogging, and I left my laptops at home and my phone in my handbag. I was happy being present and connected to the people in front of me! I did capture it with my camera, though. That's my addiction.
I am not as present on twitter nowadays, and I'm fine with that. I felt out of touch at first, but I definitely made the right choice.
That picture of you reading with Sam is my idea of HEAVEN!
I go through phases. Social media is a fun hobby for me and I really enjoy it. There have been times when I've gotten too wrapped up and I HAD TO TAKE A BIG STEP back. If it starts to feel overwhelming I remind myself that it is for fun.
I'd also like to add that since I live far away from all my family and many friends it's been a huge blessing. It has allowed me to stay connected easily to some of my more distant relatives and friends that I would not have kept in touch with as regularly.
This is a great post because for me, disconnecting from my blog, FB, etc. completely helped me find the balance I am finally experiencing for the first time in my adult life. The only way I would ever go back to any of it is if there was a biz aka income attached to it. I feel closer to my kids and just an all-around happier person. So worth it for me. I feel sad for the children I see with their mothers on their smart phones ignoring them. I see it more often then I'd like to. I NEVER want to be one of "those moms" :-( PS - I owe you an email Love and xoxo
Susan- I guess I figured since I follow so few people, that at least I could have the time to go through all of their feeds/photos etc but that is proving too hard. I'll take a note from your page and I DO appreciate you reading AND your thoughtful comment :-) Thank you!
Kristina- did you say laptopS as in TWO? haha You are forgiven your camera addiction- you are so good at photography, you get a pass :-)
Jenn- yes, very very helpful for keeping in touch with folks that are far away. I used to keep in touch with many of my Swedish cousins but I had to unfollow one because she was building a town and always needed bolts or some crap. :-?
Michelle! I am so glad to hear that you have found the balance that you were seeking! You are by no means the only one. Many of my dear blogging friends have totally walked away from the blogworld and are much much happier for it. Everyone needs to find out what makes them happy and what doesn't. For me, I think it's being moderately involved with the community. And re. the moms and their smart phones- don't worry in a few years the kids will return the favor with THEIR smart phones/video games. Wonderful. (insert face of sarcasm :-/ )
haa - yep, I have two. that makes my unpluggability even better, right? :D
Kristina! WOw- I didn't even know that could be done! Yes you get double credit!
I absolutely need to unplug every now and then. The strange thing is, I don't even check facebook, have a twitter, have an iPhone, but religiously checking my email for school and other things is enough to stress me out. I don't know how I'm going to adapt to the "social media" explosion - and I'm 22!
Sometimes if I've had too much time in front of the computer for school, I can't even read blogs that day. It's just too much for my brain to handle! As cliche as it sounds, I'd much rather read a book than stare at screen.
Social relationships...email yes.. but disconnected from Facebook about 2 months ago.. literally figured out how to deactivate (think Moonstruck.. Bobo...remove all traces that she ever existed) and it's been wonderful... i just email... no instatwitbook...and i do Skype type with my brother overseas... put the technology down and back away slowly with your hands in the air.....
Speaking of Sparty.. i think he has lots of Norwegian Forest Cat tendencies and looks.. google it..He fetches and does many of the weird things that breed does.. love my Spartman...
Susan- yes! I just love to curl up with a book, magazine or sudoku. Just feels relaxing. Even though blog reading IS relaxing, I feel overwhelmed when faced with a Google Reader that has dozens of posts waiting. Sometimes I just "mark all as read" and I'm sure I miss some great posts. But it can't be helped.
BID- Sparty's mom Carolyn! Hello! So nice to hear from you again! "Instatwitbook" = genius! I think of Sparty sometimes because Ellie often sometimes stands on her hind legs and it cracks me up. :-)
Thanks to work I find it impossible to disconnect. Ever. I hate that feeling but I figure one day I won't have to work anymore and I'll enjoy a tech-free life then. Maybe even get rid of Ali to ensure such a thing?
PS: LaToya is my neighbor. What is her crazy book like?
You know I agree that disconnecting is fabulous and NECESSARY! Our always-connected world can sometimes get completely overwhelming. I take frequent breaks and always return refreshed :)
More soon....xox
I go through periods where I can easily get away from it all, but running my own business I have to constantly be talking and networking. I get very tired from it, but do love meeting and learning from others. And love making friends along the way :)
but finding balance of it all is the real question....still looking for the answer haha
Michelle
Ameena- a dear friend works very closely with her so he gave me the book. It won't win any literary awards but I will tell you that I it is riveting, shocking and i'm having a hard time putting it down!
Lara- I always admire people like you who are so good on Twitface. I'm so bad.
Michelle- yes, having your business tied in does make it tricky to disconnect. I feel like as with everything (food, exercise, etc) finding balance is harder than it sounds. :-)
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