7 and a half years !
The time it has taken for me to come back to this small place of mine.
Last time I wrote a piece of blog, Sachin was still playing, I didn't have a smartphone or a WhatsApp account, I was on a prepaid 2G connection, meticulously comparing SMS packs and Full Talk Time offers !
I have come back to this long- forgotten small world of mine, to share my experiences with my other social distancing - complete quitting from Facebook and a near-complete quitting from Twitter. It has been almost 18 months since I have used Facebook and it has been a great journey, so far. Thanks to Radhika for being the trigger !
I would like to share my realisations about social media, all of which occured to me after quitting.
1. It hardly adds any value to life / lifestyle
Myth
I will fall out of fashion. I will not "stay updated".
Reality
The good old newspaper still exists ! Nothing major has happened because I knew About a breaking news a few hours later
Whatsapp - the other big problem in my life, which I will talk about later, ensures that I don't miss out on anything, which my company or family wants me to know.
I don't think I missed out on any news in the last 18 months, except that some of my acquaintances got married / became new parent / switched jobs or cities. I don't feel the urge of knowing about everything that happens in everyone's life anymore.
2. It takes over your thought process
Myth
I am immune ! I will not let social media influence me.
Reality
I feel calm and more positive now. The world feels to be a far better place.
I realised that I felt more rage, anger, false sense of pride, stupid sense of superiority / inferiority . The business model of social networks lies on negative emotions.
3. It kills time
Myth
I spend only my spare time on social media
Reality
It takes away your invaluable personal time, which could have been a very productive time for mind and body.
On an average I used to open Facebook +Twitter apps 20-25 times a day, spending an average of 2 minutes every time.
7 and a half years - I wanted to be "liked" and "shared" . I feared ridicule, not anymore !
The time it has taken for me to come back to this small place of mine.
Last time I wrote a piece of blog, Sachin was still playing, I didn't have a smartphone or a WhatsApp account, I was on a prepaid 2G connection, meticulously comparing SMS packs and Full Talk Time offers !
I have come back to this long- forgotten small world of mine, to share my experiences with my other social distancing - complete quitting from Facebook and a near-complete quitting from Twitter. It has been almost 18 months since I have used Facebook and it has been a great journey, so far. Thanks to Radhika for being the trigger !
I would like to share my realisations about social media, all of which occured to me after quitting.
1. It hardly adds any value to life / lifestyle
Myth
I will fall out of fashion. I will not "stay updated".
Reality
The good old newspaper still exists ! Nothing major has happened because I knew About a breaking news a few hours later
Whatsapp - the other big problem in my life, which I will talk about later, ensures that I don't miss out on anything, which my company or family wants me to know.
I don't think I missed out on any news in the last 18 months, except that some of my acquaintances got married / became new parent / switched jobs or cities. I don't feel the urge of knowing about everything that happens in everyone's life anymore.
2. It takes over your thought process
Myth
I am immune ! I will not let social media influence me.
Reality
I feel calm and more positive now. The world feels to be a far better place.
I realised that I felt more rage, anger, false sense of pride, stupid sense of superiority / inferiority . The business model of social networks lies on negative emotions.
3. It kills time
Myth
I spend only my spare time on social media
Reality
It takes away your invaluable personal time, which could have been a very productive time for mind and body.
On an average I used to open Facebook +Twitter apps 20-25 times a day, spending an average of 2 minutes every time.
7 and a half years - I wanted to be "liked" and "shared" . I feared ridicule, not anymore !
Long pending urge.. But anyway I will definitely try to emulate.. And somehow this has reignited my subdued habit of writing articles..
ReplyDeleteGood one.
ReplyDeleteTruth most of us know..but cannot change thf habbit
ReplyDeleteA hard to accept reality
ReplyDeleteTotes up the pluses and minuses of so called modern socializing. A thoughtful piece on what we need to maintain and follow so as to bring out the best in us. Nice one Sir !
ReplyDeleteExcellent write up👌👌
ReplyDeleteReally motivating for peoples like me who is ready to quit but wants to ease the transition to a post Facebook life...
Nice one Vicky :) It’s been close to 5 years I deleted my facebook account and it really did give me lot of time and space to work on some key areas of personal improvement - Vivek V
ReplyDeleteA reality check that everyone need!👍👍
ReplyDeleteI think I want to be liked or shared has transformed to I want to be read! 😋
ReplyDeleteNice one
ReplyDeleteYou have put down a few home truths .. whether one wants to accept them or not ! Great read Vignesh and please do keep at it, whenever possible ����
ReplyDelete