We have lost our way over the last few years. I don't mean completely off the deep end lost our way, but in a more subtle way. We have forgotten how to be friends. We have forgotten how to have deep conversations, and deep meaningful times with one another. I want to share some thoughts on how social media and in particular Facebook and Twitter have stunted our relationship growth:
1.) We only share our lives in tiny little sections. If twitter is guilty of allowing us only 140 characters to get a thought across, Facebook is guilty of allowing us to figuratively throw up on one another. We are either sharing too much information or too little information with our lives and barely scratching the surface of what a relationship should look like.
2.) We have become subtle in tearing down people and problems...how many times have you seen a Facebook post that is cryptic in nature, with the person digging for attention... "I can't do this anymore" or "This isn't good" or the classic "AAARRGGG!!!!"....and people will begin to say such things as "what's the matter sweetie?", or "what's going on?" Invariably it far too often turns out that someone is mad at someone or something, and they are venting, but it isn't healthy. What happened to having real conversations with real people that we trusted and that we know in a intimate way? Or better yet...going to the person you are struggling with rather than throwing them under the bus in a very public way.
3.) If you are having an argument with someone...please don't have it on-line. It becomes not only petty but destructive as people line up on different sides of the coin and begin to put one another down. The internet has become a place where friendships are destroyed and people have absolutely no problem saying something that is on their minds that they would never say to someone in person.
4.) Is what you are going to complain about in a very public way going to actually matter in 10 days time, or even 1 days time? Things we say in the heat of the moment can be quickly forgotten, but the internet has a funny way of recording our thoughts and how often has someone's past come back to haunt them as a result of something they said, or a picture they posted in the past.
Be wise in what you do. If you are really angry, or even really drunk, or simply just looking for a bit of attention think twice before you post something you will regret and have to live with.
With that thought... call someone, go for a walk with someone, have a cup of coffee with someone the next time you need to vent or simply have a real conversation with someone. You will feel so much better and you won't have to go online and explain what you meant 20 times to 20 different people.
That is All!
Josh
