I love social media and sometimes I also hate it.
I joke that I would delete all of my accounts if I could. Yes, I run a social media agency so that would be a little silly, but there is some truth behind it.I love social media because it allows me to
connect with people I otherwise wouldn't. I can't tell you how many people I have met online that have turned into really amazing and fulfilling relationships or event clients. Many of these people I have even had the privilege of meeting in real life. Again, without social media, I would never have known these people existed.Social media is an excellent way to keep up with friends and family. I can see how much fun my brother and his family had at the pumpkin patch or what my mom enjoyed best about her trip to Italy. I can keep up with my cousins in Washington and my cousins in Connecticut. Something I would not be able to do without social media.I love social media because I can learn more about a business, a product, a book or a person. I can decided if I want to go eat at this new restaurant because I can read the reviews of those who have already gone. I can see if a small business is still in business and check out their latest products or services (assuming they are keeping it updated). I can also get ideas and suggestions from those I follow and connect with. I am more likely to buy a pair of shoes or go to an event if I see that 3 other friends of mine are going too.Related:
You Don’t Have to be Anywhere When it Comes to Social MediaI dislike social media because it is constantly pulling at me and distracting me from a task or something that I should be working on. I will be writing an article (like this one) and will get notified of a message or comment on another platform and it pulls me away from what I am doing. Yes, there are ways around this (turn off notifications!) but it isn't always that easy. We are constantly being pinged, beeped, and summoned and it can be very distracting.Social media has also opened windows into our lives that have created a major lack of privacy and mystery. Everyone knows what we are doing. Everyone knows about our trip to Hawaii or our Disney Cruise. People know when it is your birthday or your anniversary. We are so intertwined with one another that sometimes I think it takes us away from those closest to us. We forget to pay attention to those in the room because we are looking and
connecting with those online.Social media also opens up platforms for people to just be plain mean to themselves and to each other. There are not many filters on social media and that get's depressing and old. It is also another place for people to share information and sometimes it isn't always positive information. It becomes overwhelming and again makes me want to delete all of my accounts. I will often take off my social media apps from my phone if I really need a break.The truth is, we live in an incredible time. Where information and ideas and connections are at our fingertips! How we use them and when we use them are really up to us. It is a choice and one that shouldn't be discounted. What I have learned is to silence my notifications when I need to do some deep work. Only connect and follow with people I know, like and trust and don't let the rest of them in. Social media is not going anywhere. The more we can love it and understand it, the better it will serve us. And the better we will be able to equip our children. They are moving into a very connected world and our generation needs to be ready to hand them the reigns and show them the good and the bad of social media. I think it's ok to love and hate something at the same time. I think today I will chose to
embrace social media and all the opportunities it can open.I would love to connect with you! Send me an
email and tell me what you LOVE or HATE about social media.
