Writing my way out of social media addiction – and welcome to my new blog!
Hi, I’m Jonathan and I’m a social media addict… (Hi Jonathan!) Well, OK, let’s not over dramatise or make things sound worse than they are. If there is such a thing as social media addiction it doesn’t make all your teeth drop out or unable to function in day to day life – and it doesn’t plunge you and your family into financial ruin and destitution!
I did, nonetheless, reach a point when I realised that my constant checking, scrolling, responding to the never ending stream of pings and notifications, getting involved in heated and useless arguments with complete strangers, was actually having a significant effect on my day to day well being and ability to focus and concentrate. I love to go for walks in the country with my youngest daughter, and she would sigh gently with exasperation, as I stopped, yet again, to respond to a notification or add an oh-so-clever response to someone else’s snarky comment etc etc bla bla bla….
And so, dear reader, I jumped ship. I left all of the various platforms I was engaged with and went even as far as buying a “dumbphone” i.e. a simple “call and text” only phone. I haven’t regretted this step, although it’s not the solution in itself, as there are plenty of other ways of wasting time and creativity, even without social media. Nor am I suggesting that everybody has to do what I have done – you probably use these things sensibly and in moderation, to great positive effect in many ways. Not me, though, sadly…
One of the various very good pieces of advice I read, when embarking on a life without facebook and co was to focus on producing higher quality work, in whatever area you are creative in. Go into greater depth, try to produce something of lasting value and be content with a smaller group of people who appreciate and value what you do, rather than the deceptive nature of hundreds of “likes” on social media. Following this advice, I have chosen writing as my area of self-expression, also as a means to help me get my own thoughts about things sorted out in my head, but hopefully also as something interesting for you, dear reader. If my postings here don’t appeal, well, that’s fine, very glad you dropped by, there is a huge choice of blogs out there, and I wish you every blessing. If you do find my posts and thoughts interesting, challenging, entertaining, well, I’d love you to get in touch and let me know and I’m always happy to engage in civilised conversation and debate – time and other commitments permitting.
The rather clunky title for my page “God Bible Life” indicates the areas I’m keen to write about, from a Christian perspective. I won’t say too much about this now though, as subsequent postings will make this clearer.
Whatever kind of believer or non-believer you are, I wish peace and blessings to you, your friends and loved ones.
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God Bible Life 