A good friend of mine stopped by yesterday, and I cut up peaches to have with tea for our visit. During our conversation she said something that really struck me. She said that she was making a major effort to stay connected with her friends and the people she loved because that was now more important than her career alone.
It’s probably crossed your mind too, but I wonder how often we continue life just as it is. If you are in the entertainment industry, which many of my friends are, or run your own business, free time doesn’t exactly seem to exist as the “hustle” is constant. Yet even then we make a choice each day as to what is important to us.
I adore the amazing shameless self promotion of social media, yet the negative side of it is when social media alone is used to connect with those that we love.
We are missing out on the true connection that we used to have before social media existed. We think we know what is going on with our friends and family based on something that they share on social media. But social media is often only the highlights of someone’s life and definitely only small snippets of it. We honestly don’t have a clue what anyone’s life is like based on what we think we see on social media. In the same realm texting serves its purpose, yet nothing resonates like actually hearing someone’s voice.
After our visit I am very clear how separated I have allowed myself to be by operating so much of my life behind a screen.
I’m finding that using social media for anything outside of business is almost opting out of developing or continuing a truly connected relationship with anyone. It’s nice when someone likes your photo on Instagram, or wishes you Happy Birthday on Facebook, but it will never compare to sitting face to face talking and laughing while drinking rooibos and honeybush tea while eating sweet organic yellow peaches.
Taking the time to slow down and truly connect with those we love is living simply. It’s just another aspect of minimalist living and finding your bliss. I’ve said before that peace of mind is not at the mall, and truly connecting with someone isn’t over social media.
Who haven’t you truly connected with for awhile that you miss?
(Image by Dawn Michelle)
Ashlynn says
This is truth, and a subject that is overlooked today. I don’t think we really realize the radical shift in thinking and socializing that is going on since the introduction of social media. My husband and I were talking about this recently and decided that we need to use social media minimally and make the time to connect with the real world people we love. We can’t find time, we have to make time.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Ashlynn,
Thanks for your comment! Making time to be present and connect is so important.
Sandy says
So true. We have a policy to check the phone at the door and connect instead of checking who has messaged you while on your way home. It’s the tiny things that matter.
This message is so important today. When I read some of the more callous news stories, there is a theme that I see: many need the attention(positive or negative) that social media pretends to bring.
I wonder if people took time to share their feelings, other than online.
Good message Dawn.
P.S
I’ve seen some sites where they have one post just for a reflective quote or song. (Often times that can give people something to think about or discuss with a friend)
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Sandy,
I’m starting to set a time to check emails etc. It is so easy to check emails all day long with smart phones which really does affect just being present in the moment. Staying connected constantly can feel draining too.