@Judymay
You're not the first person I've spoken to this year that has decided to get off social media. I would as well but I manage the FB group that acts as the main hub for members of a support group a friend and I created earlier in the year. He is one of those people that has gone off social media, so I still use it for our group, but really try to keep away from the rest of it as much as I possible can.
I think there's a lot of us out there wondering the same thing about when we just stopped caring for people around us. I don't know if we stopped, or the social media just gave a lot of frustrated people who were angry at the world a voice to vent their anger at everyone they can on an anonymous platform where there are no repercussions to saying something to someone that would never be said face to face. Now those people are drowning out the more empathetic, kind, and supportive voices.
I really don't know. I just know I don't really want to be a part of it. I would see people post about something they had just created, even if it was their first attempt at whatever they were trying, and obviously proud of their effort. You only have to start reading the comments to see just how toxic these voices have become. Why can't we just say "well done" and be happy for people? It's like they see someone happy and just need to try and bring them back down so they have company down there. It's just really sad.
Through some of the support groups i've been in this year, i've heard from quite a few people living in remote areas and the challenges that brings. Maybe I had a idealized version of living in the country in small communities from having always been in large suburban area myself. I get that if the internet does have one strong social benefit, it's that connection isolated people can find online. That is probably true no matter where you live, but it has allowed people living in these areas better access to people and services. Exactly how well that works in real life is something you'd know far better than I do.
I loved what you wrote about social media. One part just summed it up so well for me...
The friends list is vast, the followers all appear to be many
But those that choose to interact is minimum if any
It’s hard because I have relationships that are challenged by distance
But social media allows me to feel apart of their world, this tool is an assistance
When I first started looking for support about 18 months ago, I tried facebook support groups, While I did have some very supportive interactions, there was always a feeling of I need to work so hard to get others to interact with me. It became draining to the point the benefit I got from them, was overshadowed by the mental cost. It's probably why I eventually found my way back to good old internet forums and off social media.
The second part sums up the most frustrating part of it. It does have the potential to be such a powerful tool for people to be connected to each other, and it does that, but just at too high a cost for more and more of us. A cost that shouldn't be there!
You write so well and so clearly. I sincerely thank for for sharing it. Maybe you could start a new discussion and put some of your writing in it so more people here see it. I'm sure many people would get a lot from reading it.
Take care of yourself Judymay.
