I took a break from “friends” and if I’m being completely honest, I didn’t miss it.
It’s funny, as I write that, I think about my old readers and what “socials” have encountered at different times. I didn’t stop at social gatherings but the social media platforms that exist now.
It’s something I’ve wanted to do for the better part of the past two years. Delving deeper into my life and the contributors that make it not the best, social media was a constant part of the equation.
I shouldn’t be confused, I have no one to blame for this but myself.
Over the past two years as I have become more authentic and undeniably honest, I have had to accept that some relationships were unhealthy and social media was one of them. Oh, I see many of you now, shaking your heads, unable to connect with what I shared; good for you.
I personally didn’t like the way social media was playing an important role in my daily life. I often find myself in conversations where people around me tell a story, saying “did you see it on Facebook?” or “did you see my post?”
In this new chapter of introspection and discovery, I’ve realized that I really miss the natural conversation that isn’t prompted by a post.
Now that’s not to say that all of my conversations stem from that, sorry, I’m a bit more serious than that, but he was a regular. A third person at the table if you will.
I also post on social media myself. So these words are not at all meant to be a judgment to others, but more to reflect the teaching. I actually get a kick out of people who proudly share that they don’t post their stuff on social media, but seem to be up to date with what others are doing. Hey, thanks for coming.
In the middle of my absence, I asked my best friend how it was going. “Do you remember it?” he asked.
I answered quickly and honestly, “not a bit.
I was also involved, it made my job difficult, I could not see all the things that were ‘shared’ about future events, but I could control them.
In the 40 days of my journey I was very successful, which I know shocked my friend when I told him. Now I work part-time, my kids are independent, and my days don’t hold as many “must dos” as they used to. However I find a way to keep myself busy and have a list of projects that I have made that I have finally started doing.
I no longer found myself at the end of the day, wondering where the time went or how I couldn’t get to a few simple things. The distraction of the rabbit hole of other busy people was removed, and in turn, my life became more productive.
As time went by, I also learned that I didn’t care about the things that would have prompted me to text my girlfriend over and over about something that was seen in public. Knowing that I was no longer on stage, screenshots of messages would come across my phone from several besties. Suddenly, I found myself looking at these messages with two simple words popping into my head: “who cares?” I’m laughing when I write this, because I know there are probably a bunch of people who feel this way right about the things I share.
The bad news for this camp (as well as for me), is that other people care and because of this, I will continue to share parts of my journey to help those it helps.
But I digress…slightly…as this isn’t about the content as much as the forum and how we use it.
For some, it’s the best thing in the world. They love the ability to share, connect and help each other through this common site that is seen by hundreds of thousands every day. Others use it for selfish reasons, often to make themselves feel better about their insecurities. Yes, I call people who enjoy belittling other people’s affairs or who brag about themselves. There is a simple solution for them, do not enter. After all, these are also people who claim that they are not bothered or don’t care who would miss them?
As this is going on, I have two days left of my vacation.
When I talked to my friend he asked me if I could go back and I will. The purpose of this break was just that. Nothing moved me to make me feel like a certain type of exit from the stage. This was a simple self-examination and recognition of the need to reorganize. Personally, I don’t see that as a bad thing.
We all need to take a breather every now and then. Whether it’s from a bond, a group of friends, or even a job, a step away from connecting and reconnecting is never a bad thing. Like it or not, the truth is that not everyone has a problem, sometimes the problem is us.
I’m thankful for social forums, but I’m equally thankful that I now know the value that a short break can bring to my life.
It was fun back in the 90’s, I just hope I don’t get tired of the warp speed of 2026. I’ll see you on the socials. Nothing is out of place here.
Teresa Hammond is a staff reporter for The Oakdale Leader, The Riverbank News and The Escalon Times. He can be reached at thammond@oakdaleleader.com or by calling 209-847-3021.
#Time #Travel #Lessons