Recently I've been thinking about sharing online. As we all have seen Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. has allowed us to share our lives with our friends all over the world keeping us updated on each other's lives. And though our intent to share with others was a good intent, it has also created a culture of comparison and lack of privacy.
As a blogger I have chosen to publicize some of my life online, but with that decision I have also struggled with the question of, what should I share and what should I keep to myself. I have to admit that it is a tough struggle since as bloggers we are always in need content to share and we can easily become dependent on the amount likes, shares, visitors to your page, etc. However, as much as this is a current struggle for our generation I have made some decisions to keep this "sharing" world where it was supposed to stay, as a positive method to connect with people.
One of those decisions I've made was to enjoy meals with people. One of the best times I have had with my husband, my friends, and new people I've met have involved food. This does not mean that I put a rule to never share a picture over a meal, but to purposefully put my phone away and focus on the people I am with enjoying food and conversation with. I love going out with my husband on dinner dates and I chose to leave those moments sharing free and full of memories of our time together.
The second decision I made was to use social media to make REAL connections with people. This means that I am using my blog, Instagram, Facebook, etc. to make coffee dates, to come together with people and make friends. Not just online friends but REAL friends.
And last decision I made is to NEVER let social media define my self esteem. I will not let other people's pictures, likes, or stats to define who I am. I know who I am. My security is defined in Christ and it will stay there. Social media ain't got nothing on me. :)
I hope this post inspires you to live your life to the fullest. To share because you want to and not because you need to and to love those around you and not miss the precious moments of life. This is our life and we need to live it today.
:) Yes I'd like to be your REAl friend!! :) yeahhhh
ReplyDeleteLove you Pa :) Thank you for supporting me in everything I do. <3
DeleteJuli, I am so glad you shared about this!
ReplyDeleteThis entire year I've felt the urge to step back from social media (which is really hard when you have a blog and Etsy shop). I have posted 3-4 times a week on my blog for the past two years and then this year (since January) have not been consistent or really wanted to scream what is going on in my life. I have felt more inclined to share the small victories in life with close friends and even keep my relationships a little bit more private. I found in the past, I relied on the approval of others in relationships- so if people praised my picture with my boyfriend on instagram, my relationship was "perfect." How toxic! How wrong!
So with this year, I've set similar rules for myself and one of my rules is to not apologize for not blogging. Who cares! When I blog when I feel like it and post about my relationships when I feel like it (and not fishing for approval) then I find I am genuinely happy in REAL life and that can't be replaced by like, comment or follow.
Thanks again for sharing about this.
I'm glad you've decided to make that decision. Social media was supposed to be controlled by us not controlling us. I love your blog and I believe it is has a positive message for others who need it. I'm glad you are using it well and have placed your own boundaries to make it an enjoyable thing and not a burden. I'm glad I've got to know you through it and hope it continues to be a light in this world. Thank you for inspiring me as well as others.
DeleteJuli
This is a great post! I have a hard time decided what to share sometimes too - I have to keep reminding myself that the main goal of my blog is to connect with other people. I read a line in a book about life in an online reality once, something along the lines of 'we all exist as pure personality here, so as long as we're honest, these relationships can be just as real as any other'. I think of that every time I feel pressure to post something that's not 'me'.
ReplyDeleteYes. That's a great quote! Thanks for sharing. :)
DeleteJuli!
ReplyDeleteGreat post about how much one should share! There are just some things that should remain PRIVATE. I totally agree with you, I rarely post about my spouse because that's something I hold near and dear to my heart. :)
Btw, I was scrolling down wordpress and found this post on there.. You might want to look into that since you're no longer on wordpress.
Much love!
Scarleth
Thank you so much for letting me know. And I'm with you, my relationship is between my husband and I. :)
DeleteThanks :)
ReplyDelete