I swear social media is a blessing and a curse. I think it’s fantastic to be able to “keep in touch” with people from your past life and see what they’re up to or what they’re willing to share. I like being able to stay current with people and if I see them out and about it makes the conversation go more smoothly. I like being able to share what my family and I are up to via social media; however, I find that social media is just for the good and the pretty.
Social media is such a facade. Picking the best of the best, showing the onlookers the fun, glamorous side of life. No one ever talks about the homework battles, the meltdowns, the arguments– blood sweat and tears that goes into raising a family let alone living life in general.
I know that shit exists, parenting is no joke & it’s hard. I feel like people paint this gorgeous painting of life on the gram or FB, and it does, in fact, make it great visually, but where do you go to keep it real?
Ok, I really got on a tangent, so I guess what I’m really trying to say here is that I love social media for keeping in touch. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a flat out stalker I mean, researcher, and well having all of these different platforms helps fuel my fire. I find it interesting that I have friends on a lot of different platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and my least favorite Twitter) and what people post on each one varies.
I remember way back when Facebook was supposed to be a social network for college students. I feel like when I was a freshman, everyone couldn’t wait to get the .edu emails so that they could join the club. Nowadays, I feel like Facebook is for keeping in touch with family and friends. A friend of mine keeps telling me that Facebook is where the conversation is at. I guess that’s what the groups are for. I am in so many Mom groups on FB and that’s where the conversation is always at. Man, it gets heated in there. Maybe if I were more active on FB in general, my personal engagement would be wider. I do find that when I do post on Facebook people whom I haven’t seen in a while come out of the woodworks. So maybe?
Instagram is my kryptonite. I’ve tried to quit it. Twice. I just can’t. I find myself aimlessly scrolling. Brendan always tells me if I could count the hours I’ve spent on Instagram– I would have already lost a year off of my life. I think people are more active on IG, I think it’s an easier way to engage. A like, a comment, a DM- it all gets the conversation going and it’s casual. I like that.
I can’t even with Snap & Twitter. I love Snap, rather my kids love Snapchat, because of their filters and fancy font options but it’s just not my jam. I’ve tried. Twitter is the worst, IMO, I do it for This Mom but I suck at it and I don’t think it helps me keep in touch with anyone. ?? What am I doing wrong? Follow me on twitter @uncensorthismom and school me.
So how do you use social media to stay in touch? Do people even email anymore if it’s for personal use? I’m not talking about PTA and room Mom emails…because I sure as hell don’t.