20/20 Vision

My eyesight isn’t the greatest. But my hindsight is definitely 20/20 vision.

I’ve a relative who has sworn off social media in this new year. She’s had enough. For her, now is the right time. Shortly after she made this announcement, I read a blog written by a woman who let go of social media recently, for a variety of reasons. The author, Bonnie Brunet asked, “Who are we when we stop allowing others to glimpse into our life 24-hours a day?” (https://nosidebar.com/how-social-is-social-media/).

Social media skews our view of the world, based on what we choose to allow onto our timeline. Not so unlike the camera lens discussed in a previous blog, if we narrow our focus to those who are just like us, who think and believe as we do, we never see the other side. We are never challenged with a different point of view. Never asked to defend ours. Never given an opportunity to utilize the critical thinking skills we’ve been endowed with. Never confronted with reevaluating the truths we hold dear.

In some cases, we find ourselves envious or jealous of others. We see their adventures, and stories, and pictures, and we feel the need to compete. To show just how wonderfully amazing our own lives are. What’s behind the facade? A happy, fun-filled and adventurous life, being lived fully? Or a more mundane, ordinary life, being lived quietly, sometimes maybe even sadly, while we try desperately to show the world a different version? In the movie Sound of Music, Captain Von Trapp makes the statement “Activity suggests a life filled with purpose.” How true is that? Especially on social media?

Social media takes something away from our unique lives in ways we might not even notice. It may create envy. Or create a sense of lack. We lose time. Constant scrolling. Happy face, sad face. Like. Edit. Delete. You get it. We’re all there together, we just don’t really know each other. We document our daily existence – the pieces we choose to show – and then put it out there for the world to see.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve enjoyed this ride since 2011. I’ve reconnected with friends from the past and made new friends and connections.  I’ve also disconnected from people. I’ve loved the pictures friends and family have posted. I love the blogs I follow. I love the animal and nature pictures. I just don’t feel like social media is very social. It’s not a compassionate place, especially of late. It often spews negativity, accusations, and judgments.  It seems to bring out the worst in people and is not a place for the faint of heart.

In light of that, I’m backing off a bit as well. 2020 is a year I’d like to create the me I want to be. Authentically me, not a Facebook version of me. 20/20 hindsight makes me smile. 20/20 vision though? Looking forward? That’s surely more exciting to me.

I lift my glass to you: here’s to the simpler times, when we talked on the phone, or met for a cup of coffee, or a walk on the beach. Let’s meet there again soon!

Namaste 🙏

~jwb~