Pulling the plug on social media Individuality has always been based on partial truths and generalities, but for those of us brought up with social media this has never been truer. If, in the past, we were our careers, relationships, favourite band or car brands, we are now also a part of our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook accounts. Our self-esteem may vary with each follow, favourite or like. If we didn't post a picture it may not have happened, or at least, might as well not have. We may have anxiety deciding whether we're happy or just popular, sitting at home looking at photos of friends who appear convincingly satisfied, experiencing a more exciting, significant existence. You might even wake up one morning to find you've been hacked and who you thought you were; is now someone else.
I was surprised by how people have let social media take control of their lives… I mean some of us are addicted and committed to social media but we are not controlled by it, at least that's the excuse. I was working this past weekend but instead I was sending support requests, changing passwords and overall despairing.
Not that you couldn't lose your job in the past, your lover or any other elusive element of self but at least these were physically tangible. Now we spend hours a day taming symbols of ourselves we don't even own, strategically illuminating and hiding from behind a screen. Ironically, in striving for endorsements by our social accounts and in seeking a distinctiveness that enables us to stand out in the densely populated cyberworld, we unsuspectingly sacrifice our true self-identities and shape our identities to conform to what the digital world views as acceptable. And, in doing so, we surrender the specialness that we hold so dear.
Personal stuff has always been for the taking but now it's your identity that's up for grabs, scattered across the web like pieces of a puzzle presented to poachers.
In my pre-Twitter days I would write in a journal and I would meditate in silence.
Now I propel my thoughts into the chasm of social media and my meditation is entering a dead zone.
After almost half a decade year of the digital life, I word my ideas as tweets, texts, 140-character bites. I expect a treat, or re-tweet, for every shrewdly worded announcement, like a dog awaiting his owners' authorisation.
But where was my Twitter audience when I am not tweeting? I am usually alone with myself, melancholy at the wasted hours occurring in the vacuum of my residence, feeling like the victim of my brain instead of the curator of its content.
If social media is great for bold, provocative statements it's not conducive to deep thought, extended arguments and nuance.
I recently also took a back step on how I interact on social media. The pain of my forced digital blackout has brought into interrogation my capability for an eloquent, lengthy ceremony of self-reflection. I am afraid that I no longer follow my thoughts to assumption, only finish half of what I begin with.
My Twitter account has been a very good way for me to express myself and has improved how I interact with people on social media. It has become a great tool for me to crowd source ideas on a few projects I'm working on. I've taught myself to detach myself from this digital lifestyle I keep finding myself in. Do not let social media get hold of your life, I tell myself every time.
Whether you admit it or not, we all have had a moment where we have considered what people say about us at on social media and it took a hit on our self-esteem. The only way you can get beyond the social media “mess” is when you log off it and log or tap into your own potential and what you are capable of. Only let the opinion of what those who matter to you get to you and do not let the thoughts of others on social media decide how you live your life.
Until next time, peri nawa!
shona@namibiansun.com