THE UNCONVERTED WAYS OF A SOCIAL MEDIA ADDICT

I am so guilty of wanting to share my beautiful moments with the world all of the time. I want my loved ones and family to be involved in my day and it has to be real time. For me REAL TIME ensures that other people share in my joys; funny moments and they get to feel the thrills as they unfold. On the spur of the moment posts are my favorites. I love to express myself through social media, it has inspired so many people around me and I have benefitted enormously in terms of developing confidence and belief in myself. I love the fact that social media opens us up a world of information that matches every single desire or need. One could easily get a cool recipe for the lunch box or a DIY tip for fixing shelves in the kitchen cabinet.

I could hardly think of the dangers involved in social media, as I was bent on sharing great stories and propagating the effect of ripple kindness. To a large extent this helped build my network and my brand, it helped promote my work especially when I shared pictures of my life, the public could relate to me as an individual and follow my story.

Back when I got into the social media frenzy; I posted at every chance I got. The likes got me eager to share more. The comments placed me on a high that could last days, imagine the world saying thumbs up or admiring your outfit or your parenting style. It meant so much to me but it took jabs on my emotional state of mind, I made myself vulnerable. I continually exposed myself to strangers and friends of friends that I could barely recognize. There was an instance in which a certain individual tried to get a discount based on the fact that we were friends, her stories on me checked out so my friend felt obliged to sell her product at a reduced price only to discover that our friendship had been solely on Facebook. Truth is I had never met the lady. On other instances I felt the need to hide or just want to be alone with myself and thoughts, I did not want the intrusion of someone’s thoughts or views, and I did not want to crush people’s expectations. I found myself being online instead of being productive at work. There was always something more interesting to read or share a challenge to participate on or a chat group that had some interesting discussions going on.

 I had to admit that I had a problem when I researched the dangers of social media and saw stories that focused on the misuse of pictures online, child pornography and all those other things that makes you feel like you are part of the newest horror show. Then I started questioning my habit, can something so enjoyable pose such a great threat to me and my family? Can my innocent pictures shared just for fun turn into a tool for mischief.

The day I found out that once stories are posted on the internet they can never be retrieved, was the rudest shock that hit me. It was pain imagining that my teenage sloppy pictures could re-surface horrible memories of times that I would rather not be reminded of.

It was at that point that I promised myself that I would try harder at protecting myself and my family from the future. I could never retract those pictures or posts but I can do better moving forward.

Since then I promised myself the following:

• That I must never feel under pressure to post online
• Acknowledge that whatever I share can be used for or against me and my family
• Pictures of me and my family undressed, at bath time, when we are sick/ hospitalized and when on the potty are a completely NO.
• Actively monitor how and when my pictures are taken publicly, sensor event pictures and demand that they be deleted.
• Un-tag myself from posts that do not align with me and my brand
• Check source before sharing online news
• Those actions that can be described as me shaming my child, his weaknesses and mistakes are not comedy for the whole world to laugh at.
• I want to wake up tomorrow excited to show portraits that could add a feather to my decisions and the choices I made for me and my family not those that will make them feel embarrassed or wondering what the hell was wrong with me.

Meanwhile I still enjoy sharing my spontaneous magical moments but with an unrushed air of light-heartedness, peace and love. Knowing that at the end it’s our stories that will live on!