17 February 2017
Social media. Should I stay or should I go?
There’s a darkness hanging around me at the moment. The black dog of depression is howling somewhere off in the distance. I try to ignore it, but it’s persistent. One of its closest allies seems to be social media.
I know, I know. I’ve been here before. You’ve heard me talk about this stuff already. My struggles with depression. My desire for anonymity. The contradictions. The rambling. It all comes back to the same feeling: being adrift, rudderless, waiting for a gentle breeze of normality to push me towards a more fulfilling life.
Social media is a time vampire. It’s also one of the most frustrating things I face every day. There’s a constant sense that I’m missing out. That my life somehow doesn’t measure up to the carefully curated feeds I see on Facebook and Twitter.
Why should I feel anxious about what someone ate for dinner, the car they just bought, or the holiday they’re on? It’s superfluous bullshit. In the grand scheme of things, it doesn’t matter.
Yes, I understand the argument that social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. But surely making the effort to actually see people is better in the long run? The convenience has made me lazy. That’s on me, and it needs changing.
I enjoy the escape of good television drama and comedy. Documentaries still give me a sense of wonder. I love films and always have. I’ve watched thousands over the last forty years and still happily lose myself in them.
Books still elude me a bit, but I’m working on that.
Which brings me back to the question: should I switch off all social media for a while? The final part of the experiment.
How long would it last? What would happen? Would relationships wither? Would anyone notice? Would I be missed at all?
The only way to answer those questions is to do it.
I know this much. The people who genuinely care will stay in touch. They’ll message me. Call me. Make the effort to meet for coffee or pizza. The rest probably won’t notice. And that’s fine. I’m as insignificant to their daily lives as the person in front of them in the queue at the bank.
I’m oddly at peace with that.
My closest friends and family will understand. Life is too short to spend hours each week staring at a screen. I also hope it sets an example for my son, showing him that he doesn’t need to rush to leave his footprint all over the digital world.
Social media can be a force for good. It can also amplify some of the worst parts of humanity. For now, I want out.
I can always return if I need to. But over the next few days, I’ll be switching it all off.
You can still reach me through this blog. I’ll turn comments on and update the contact page with my WhatsApp number. This space will be where I write and check in.
I have other things to do with my life. Read books. Travel. Be a good husband. Raise my son.
Until next time,
adieu.