How do you feel about Facebook and social media? We enjoy seeing what family and friends are doing right? I know I joined Facebook to stay in touch with my family that live all over the world. However, I have noticed many people sharing with me they actually feel alone and separate even though they have hundreds of friends. It looks like everyone else’s life is full and rich; they are living “the life.” It makes us feel as though our own live are pretty dull and boring.
Just like fashion models are airbrushed to look perfect, don’t most of us post what makes us look best? It is unlikely we will post when we have a really bad hair day? Are we presenting a false image of a full life so no one knows the truth?
At it’s onset it was all fun to play on social media – and now we are yearning for a deeper, more authentic connection with people – in person. We are more separate than ever at home on our devices viewing the world through a screen.
So what do we do about it?
Some say have a “fast” from your devices. Easier said than done when we are now in the habit of checking them so regularly. We have learned to rely on them to wake us up in the morning, for scheduling, phone calls, texting, and surfing the Net for information. The world has opened up for us with a plethora of information at our fingertips and we’ve become hyper-focused. How much time of your day is spent in this way? How often do we then say we don’t have enough time to eat well or exercise?
Let’s go deeper than taking a break from our devices…
We can ask ourselves a few key questions:
- What would I prefer to do with my time?
- What do I really enjoy doing?
- What activities did I used to enjoy and keep promising to re-engage in?
And more importantly…ask yourself this question.
- Who am I when I am with myself?
There is a saying, “Busyness is an escape from intimacy.” Does this ring a bell of truth for you? Is the busyness a way of avoiding issues we are too afraid to look at?
Let us each create a life that is rich and full – spending time with friends on walks, having tea, sharing meals…and more time doing what we truly enjoy! And you know – I am always here to guide you along the way.
Article co-written by Cheryl Hiebert and Bea Doyle
I wish you an abundant fall season filled with much love, passion and adventure. As always I am here to support you in this life journey – and welcome your feedback.