Social Networks explained

Here is a funny little picture that someone made to explain social networks.

Overall I love the Internet, but often despise parts of it. It even varies what makes me crazy at times.

Facebook recently breeds discontentment, laziness, even jealousy. There. I said it.



It may often seem annoying or even obnoxious for someone to post monthly on twitter or facebook, "Taking a break from social media. Email or call".

But when my mind is so cluttered from the busyness of technology there is little else that can help me set my mind on God than unplugging from the noise.

I wrote this a few weeks ago after a night of sleeplessness and lurking facebook....
"I have sat here for the last hour and a half while my family sleeps trying to read, trying to pray, not even having my laptop in front of me, but knowing too much about too many, reading to much mundane and important things all at once sometimes makes my mind so cluttered I forget how to think clearly.

I check messages on my phone, email, and facebook and read them quickly then forget to respond. I have systems on how to not miss these messages that I have implemented at less cluttered times in my life, but those are so quickly out the window, when I spend too much time reading hundreds of status updates and hundreds of blogs.

When I can't even remember where I read something or which friend is sick, because there are too many people that I am only acquaintances with on facebook. This is one reason I post fewer pictures and personal stories out there than I use to. Also, statistically I may have some total creepers as facebook friends. I don't need them knowing too much about me and my family.

Sometimes I just want to unfriend everybody (no offense) and only use it for my family, forcing me to be more intentional with our friends and hanging out."

I saw someone say that the printing press was like Internet of the day. Consider how we look back on the printing press. All of the sudden, the bible and other important documents are everywhere. A wealth of knowledge and entertainment they never had before. I wonder: did it ever have negatives? Unfortunately I think the modern day printing press will. It will be tragic and/or amazing to see one day how the explosion of the Internet hurt and helped our world. How it formed psychosis in young minds.

Even someone that doesn't own a computer or even have a place to live can go to their school or library and get on Facebook to read up on what kind of coffee someone had or how someones surgery went. And then forget all about it because they read another 50 updates too. The idea that you can forget someone's hardship with depression or a great celebration because there is so much info going into your brain is sickening to me at times. I have heard more than once that people have found about family members' deaths through facebook instead of a conversation. I have actually heard that 5 or 6 times.

None of what I say here about the need to unplug is unique or new. I have learned this from friends and authors along the way, I am just noting it as a reminder in case you need a break. It is a prescription for me when the focus is hard or my brain is working a mile a minute.

I have currently been on break from Facebook for a week.

I thought in status updates for almost 48 hours.
THAT IS RIDICULOUS!

Then I started being more intentional and I read more to myself and my kids. I actively listened and gave way more eye contact (bc I didn't have any technology in my hand or lap) as D explained every detail of her new favorite show the Octonauts. I got some projects done. I rested more. I prayed more. I worked out more. I was never perfect. I still spent time on my computer, but not nearly as much.

I guess I am just calling for a time out. You don't have to do it. I won't judge you if you don't.

But if you are up for it. Choose one of your social networks that breeds discontentment or jealousy or bitterness or just plan takes up time you could do on something else and take a break from it. A day, a week, a month. 4eva*.

For me it is this facebook break (I totally had my husband hack into my FB to post a link to it, because it would take more self control than I might have not to check updates, while I break). I had a good friend tell me she needs to delete hers altogether because it is a burden while another friend share that Pinterest gives her discontentment because it makes her want more (a very valid point! I am sure I'll need to break from that at some point).

If you are up for it leave me a comment on here or one of my social networks....Just don't expect me to know it right away. I am after all on a facebook break.




*(side note-I love writing like I use to in notes. My greatest note memories are Alison, Carrie and Rosie. Epic LYLAS, SSS etc. What do whippersnappers do now. Text? I guess. I do too. But I guess Oregon Trail = Angry Birds and the perfectly folded and coded handwritten note =texting)