As a gadget loving girl & web designer, I'm often the first person to adopt new technologies & social media channels. I jump onboard and never look back. I love how open, connected and awesome our world has become as a result of the ever-changing web & our mobile devices. I can't imagine my life without having everything I need or want at my fingertips. It's easy to communicate, it's easy to network, and it's also easy to get completely overwhelmed...or addicted.
As wonderfully connected as we've become, I think there's something to be said for de-cluttering our digital lives. We all spend a lot of our physical time & energy on the internet, but how often do we actually we create meaningful conversation and content, as opposed to mindless drivel?
If you're anything like me, you might a digital cleanse this Holiday season. I'm the kind of girl who falls asleep with my phone in my hand, just waiting for the vibration of a Twitter response, and this behaviour has to stop.
Instead of churning out another “Best Apps For Christmas” list, I think we could all use a wee break from social media to step back & take stock of our digital existence. No, I'm certainly not denouncing the good of social media (I'd be the last person to do so) but I am challenging myself & others to think about why we do the things we do online. Far too often, we let social media control us. It should be the other way around.
Do you think people are actually interested in every single you do or think throughout your day?
I've certainly played my part in “over-sharing”, but I'm slowly learning to adjust my mentality about what's appropriate to share and what isn't. Your professional colleagues don't want to hear about your family's dirty laundry, and no, it's not essential for your Twitter and/or Facebook friends to know every single thing you do. If someone tweets every five minutes all day, everyday, do you end up ignoring them altogether? Hint: They'll probably do the same to you.
Do you really care about your 1,000+ contacts?
The answer to that question is probably a flat-out no. Cut the fat from your friends lists' on Twitter & Facebook and only engage with those people or brands that you actually care about.
Why don't you delete contacts who make you feel negatively about yourself?
If someone is constantly being snarky, jealous or vicious online, why do you continue to stalk them? Why do you continue to feed the green monster of jealousy by obsessively competing with or copy-catting people who make you feel bad about yourself? Pro tip: Stick to following people who uplift you, encourage you and inspire you.
Our experiences in life, and online, are exactly how we shape them to be. We have the power to craft ourselves better, more positive and engaging experiences. Take the reins.
Image © Amanda Foley for BitchBuzz.com