This may sound bold…
But I would bet that nearly 100% of people reading this article have an addiction to social media. Some more than others, of course. But everyone at least a little bit. Including me.
When social media started to become popular, everything changed, for everybody.
I was in high school.
It was the beginning of grade 12.
And for the first time in all our lives, we were able to engage in a digital, interactive environment with our peers.
Can you imagine that?
Having social media when ‘social media’ wasn’t even a thing?
When it was this new, fresh, exciting adventure to be part of?
It was intoxicating.
Inviting.
Euphoric.
Addictive, even.
Everyone got hooked.
And nobody was better because of it.
The truth is…
I yearn for the digital space sometimes. I take no pride in admitting that. I know I want it far more often than I should.
Whether it’s checking my emails. Or my calendar. Or visiting YouTube every 5 minutes to see if it’s been updated. There’s no shortage of meaningless little tasks I could be doing with a phone in my hand or a computer in front of me.
The behavior is incessant.
It’s habitual.
And it’s also destructive.
Now don’t get me wrong…
Most of the time, I actually do a pretty good job resisting the urge to connect. I’m conscious of the behavior and manage it quite a bit better than those who aren’t.
But I ain’t sayin’ I’m perfect, either.
There’s a grip the digital space has over me that’s hard to put into words. I want it. I crave it. And part of me makes me feel like I need it sometimes.
But I don’t.
And neither do you.
And the sooner you realize that, the better.
Now, I didn’t write this article with the intention of providing any answers. I don’t have any answers.
If anything, I wrote this article as a spotlight to help us see.
I do think we’re all addicted to something that’s hurting us. And I do think it rules our lives in ways we’re not prepared to admit.
I think it hurts our relationships.
I think it hurts our self-image.
I think it hurts our outlook and view of the world.
I think it destroys our lives a little more each day.
But I also know it doesn’t have to be that way.
Just put down the phone. Shut off the computer. Talk to the person in front of you. Share a story. Share a laugh. Share a hug. Share your humanity.
We may be more ‘connected’ than ever before…
But we’re also more disconnected because of it.
I promise to do my part to make that change.
The real question is…
Will you?
===
And when you’re ready 