Though I use social media, I’m not a huge fan for many reasons. Not to mention that it’s dangerous for kids and young people who are not thinking about some of the dangers, as far as adults using it, I think it has taken the place of in person interaction; I think people say mean and hateful things on there they wouldn’t normally say to someone; I think too many people (myself included) spend too much time on social media and not enough time with their families . . and those are just a few of the reasons I’m not a fan.
I am a fan because it’s so darned easy to keep in touch with friends. I’ve reconnected with so many people – mostly high school friends. I went to school in a town that had two elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. With college just across the bridge in Lake Charles, most of us went to the local college so we were a tight knit group. As with most everyone, life took over and we all went in different directions but there are an amazing number of my class members on FB.
But, all that aside, I was thinking yesterday about the pandemic and where we would all be without the internet and social media. Vince has been gone back to Texas for over a month and it’s been three weeks since I saw Chad, Nicole or Addie. They are not social distancing at all and I just can’t risk being with them now that Covid has gotten worse in our area.
I think about the cross stitching – interacting with other cross stitchers, ordering fabric, floss and charts. I think of keeping up with friends and family on Facebook and MeWe now. I think about the blog and the readers and your comments. I am grateful . . extremely grateful for the contacts I do have.
I was also thinking that I’m one who likes being at home and I like my alone time but I’m thinking there’s a limit to how much alone time I want and I think I’ve about reached my limit. I’m so ready for Vince to be here and it isn’t happening any time soon. Maybe by the time I can see Chad, Nicole and Addie; and Vince is here, I’ll be one who doesn’t want to be alone at all!
So, thank goodness for social media, for the blog readers and for my new love of cross stitching!
Sara Fridley says
I feel the same way about social media. Months ago on Facebook I started “snoozing” people for 30 days at a time if they shared ugly political things or just shared too much junk. A couple of family members I just quit following completely because they are just nasty on social media in ways I’ve never seen them act in person. Now I mostly see the things I love about social media – family/friend updates and news, and the quilting and other topics I want to see. I’m in a couple of closed groups and really enjoy the lack of ugliness I find there.
Tee says
My husband and I decided to live apart when I stopped traveling for work and he needed to continue to travel. I haven’t seen him since December 1st. Even though he is very careful (and hasn’t caught it yet), the risk is just too great to me. While I also don’t mind being home alone, I am reaching the end of my tolerance. I also have not seen my grandson, son and DIL since Dec 1. I am one year too young for the vaccine in this group, so no matter how much I am hating this, I have to continue to find patience for quite awhile longer. I live on the internet. I read, watch shows, connect with friends, etc., all on the internet. I have learned so much in the last 6 months and have tried so many new things, thanks to the internet. I would be bonkers by now if I didn’t have it. I am sorry to hear that your family is not safe enough to come and see you, but I totally understand. They have to live their life and cannot stay away from work and school so long. I am in the same boat. This just sucks.
Dorothy Matheson says
I have a few close social media friend that I have never met in person. I am grateful for them. We keep in touch via e-mail and have for over 10 years.
I do miss the quilt bee that met once a week and going to a store when I wanted too. Now I only go grocery shopping once a week. Very few other places when I absolutely must.
I do really like Facebook to keep in touch with grand children and other family members.
I do limit my internet time to 1 or 2 hours a day.
Carolyn says
Guilty as charged
Susan Nixon says
You may have my share. =) I never had twitter or fb, but I have even deleted my IG account. All I have is my blog now. I’m glad it’s providing what you need, but I don’t want any of it.
Judy Laquidara says
I think I may have had Twitter at one time . . I know I did. I went to delete it and it was gone so I have no idea when I did that. Guess I didn’t miss it. I have IG but as you know, my photos are never IG worthy so I don’t mess with it either.
QuilterBea says
I hate the censorship of some social media platforms and can’t believe there isn’t more outrage as we lose more of our freedoms. I just disconnected my FB account and joined MeWe and will be very cautious about friends that are so negative. I love being home alone but I am just about at my limit too. I listen to books while I’m piecing quilts and I love reading your blog – it makes me feel connected to a happy group of creative crafters. Thank you!
Nelle Coursey says
I do FB and email, but nothing else. That is enough and sometimes too much for me. I have blocked people who were rude and downright hateful to me on FB. I figure it is their loss and my gain. I don’t have to see the hateful remarks and I feel much better. I have met a lot of new people on FB through friends I already have. I have learned a lot about people that I thought were my friends and now I know the truth. It hurts but that is not my problem. I can’t do anything about them or how they think. The only person I have any control over is myself. I have no problem telling people they can’t come see me until after I have the shots. I value my husband’s health and mine because I am his caregiver. Some people don’t understand that, but so be it.
vivoaks says
Amen on all the social media nonsense. I’m ready to leave Facebook, but am on several BOM’s that do everything on facebook… I even had a very well-known quilt talent who was very nasty to me on social media when I said I was a conservative Christian. I couldn’t believe what I read! I’m sure he went back and probably deleted it so others wouldn’t see what a hypocrite he was, but he blocked me from posting on his page, so I don’t bother even looking at it anymore. You’re right – I think if we’d been face to face he’d never have said what he did, but it’s been said and much as I try to forgive him, I can’t get it out of my mind. What a shame it’s come to this….
Judy Laquidara says
That’s awful. I don’t understand what gives people the idea that their opinion is 100% right and anything else is 100% wrong. We can forgive but forgetting is hard. I’ve always told Vince and especially Chad – you say it and it’s in my head forever (unless it’s something I’m supposed to remember!)
Very sorry that happened to you.
I hope I can respect anyone’s opinion/belief. I don’t have to agree with it and I don’t want to get into a discussion about it but it’s so much better when we can get along and not say hurtful things.
Pamela says
Another well known quilt talent told all the people who support our President in any way to unfriend her. She went on to say she has had to unfriend long time friends because they supported our President. I was shocked. She didn’t want this known on her business page for fear of losing customers. Of course someone posted it on her business page. I just don’t know if I can support her business anymore. So sad that politics is so divisive in our country.