I use social media too much, and not very well at that. Like so many other people I have completely lost my way with social media. I am probably the world’s biggest hypocrite – preaching about how social has gone form be a tool for socializing to the act of socializing itself – because I often fall into this trap myself.
I know for a fact that I place far too much value on the number of “likes” my posts get. I feel slighted by certain people when they don’t like or comment on my posts. In fact, as corny as this sounds, I’m using my birthday as an unofficial litmus test on this. I’ll explain that in a minute….
Another thing I’m guilty of when it comes to social media is hoarding friends. I’m not one of those people who will friend request a person after only one or two interactions. But I will hang on to friends on social media long after we lose contact. In fact, I will sometimes remain Facebook friends with ex girlfriends not only to show that there’s no hard feelings; but in some utterly naive belief that we may someday, potentially, get back together again. Having said that, one of the great things about Facebook is the option to “unfollow” a friend. I’ve done that, maintaining the illusion that were on good terms; but it keeps me from having to see them or what they’re doing in my feed.
Remember what I said about the “birthday litmus test”? I’ve unfollowed 2 ex girlfriends when they didn’t wish me “happy birthday”. I know, it’s petty; but I also view it as a way so setting some kind of cut-off point for myself. Anybody remember PTA? I dated her for maybe a month before she suddenly ghosted me. We were still friends on Facebook – at least until I saw her posting photos of her and her boyfriend – whom I’m pretty she dumped and was still hung up on when we first went out. Either way, she’s gone now.
And I try – I honestly try – to use social as more of a tool than the way in which I socialize. I use Facebook, X, Instagram, Mastadon and now Threads to plug this blog. I’ve even stuck my toes into the Podcasting pool to bring a little more traffic here; but I haven’t cracked the daVinci Code yet. I know there’s a formula to tapping in to what’s trending, the right keywords to use, the right times of day to make social media postings – all to garner as much traffic to your account as possible. I KNOW there’s a way people do it. I just haven’t figured it our yet.
Like so many of us, I put way too much priority on social media; but at least I’m aware that I do it. That’s worth something; like how the first step of any 12 step recovery program is admitting that you have a problem. It’s a start, right?
Thanks for stopping by Rebuilding Rob. Be sure to like, comment and subscribe to my blog below. It’s greatly appreciated! Also, feel free to follow me on social media as well! Check out my most recent posts as well as some earlier, related posts:
- Rob’s Retro Movie Review: This is Spinal Tap (1984) – The Movie That Scaled to Eleven
- A Death in the Family (And My Disposable Income): My Life in Comics
- The Supporting Cast: Navigating the Eras of Male Friendship
- Life is What Happens: A Look Back at My Non-Existent 2025 Vision
- The Moment I Walked Inside a Hallmark Movie
The article “Confessions of a social media Junkie” first appeared on Rebuilding Rob.
Rebuilding Rob 
Leave a comment