It has been five months without social media and being without it makes me the worst at knowing what is even going on in the lives of my distant family/friends and pretty much the world as a whole. Social media has this innate ability to share news from family, friends, acquaintances, and even some actual news. Granted this is often news catered to you based on your likes, friends lists, their likes, your geographic location and even your age. But it was news; an update on what was going on in the world.
In my bliss of unawareness and unplugging from social media platforms, I have seemingly unplugged from a particular group of people altogether.
There are two feelings to this realization, however. Roughly 3 years ago I moved from my home state and social media was the only way to keep up with them. So on one hand, I miss seeing shared updates from distant relatives and some childhood friends. I used to enjoyed cheering people on from a distance, praying for them as they enter new seasons, and, though it is embarrassing to admit, keep up with the latest dramas or current events amongst people. I find myself missing being informed and sometimes even feeling included.
Now, on the other hand, you really learn who appreciates you, who misses you, and who you truly keep real communicate with in life. As an introvert, I would find myself needing to take breaks fairly often from socializing to get my quiet “me time” and feel rested enough to hang out with people. Now that I am not bombarded by everyone and everything I don’t feel tapped out, or exhausted, when socializing amongst people. I can spend more intentional time with those around me and have meaningful conversations with what is happening in their lives. If you still go with Dunbar’s Rule, then you can only have 150 people to keep up with at a time. Though this is a theory that has been debated in recent times, it feels true enough in my life.
I am not even half way to my full year without social media, but I already find myself debating whether or not its a tool I will want back in my life. The question right now is do I let that fear of missing out on things that don’t pertain to me influence my decision to stay off of it all? Or will my sense of self be strong enough for me to stand confidently in life?
