Anyone Can Be An Asshole.

 Probably the major underlying reason I got off social media is the obvious manipulation and social engineering it is accomplishing.  We are all rats in their maze.  Part of the grooming process is clearly creating a massive political divide being continually broadened.  So I just got out of the maze.  Now I see people who have posted bizarre and ridiculous political posts and positions, but there's no problem anymore because I'm not paying attention to them.  But it had me wondering if my willful ignorance was contributing to the social and political chaos.  That is until I ran into a couple of people with similar political POVs who are also assholes.  In conclusion, regardless of one's beliefs, anyone can be an asshole so might as well have peace with most people in general.  

How My "To-Do" List Has Changed Since Being Off Social Media

 I've always had an extensive to-do list which I never got on top of.  For some reason now it is practically non existent and I don't know why exactly except that it absolutely correlates with being off social media.  It's been about three months now and my list rapidly dwindled.  It's nice!  There are some days I forget to even make one.

Does Social Media REALLY Help You Keep Up With Others or Just Leave You Feeling Left Out?

 Someone reminded me today of that feeling you get when Facebook makes you feel left out.  This someone told me about her adult son who has everything going for him, seems like the most secure guy yet he called her just to find out where his brother was after seeing a post of his brother on a beach.  From his tone and the out of the blue call and other indicators, he seemed insecure and anxious.  

This is a feeling I don't miss at all.  How many posts do you think that rather than making you feel connected to your online person, make you just feel left out, missing out, hurt or envious?  Without seeing that I simply feel happy with my day.

Carry on.

Being Off Social Media Is Like Letting Weeds Grow, In a Good Way

 There was an abandoned house across the canal from me years ago.  You couldn't even see the house through the natural growth around it.  Even the roof had things growing out of it.  Left to its own devices, nature took over.  Life replaced the artificial.

My sister and I only communicated through social media and barely at that.  Mostly we sent each other funny videos.  Since getting off social media, an actual relationship has been growing back.  First it was a few funny videos sent via text.  Then a text or two about our actual lives.  And finally- - gasp - - a phone call!  

Relationships are what happens when the weed killer that is social media is no longer applied.   

Dreams

 

I know correlation is not causation but nevertheless, all changes in my life lately are being attributed to the sudden absence of social media, including the recent resurgence of dream sleep.  The dreams are very meaningful, intense and full of symbolism.  

While the play I recently performed in, "Love ... or Best Offer" MAY have something to do with it, I am convinced that separating myself from the pubescent land of make believe which is social media was also a big influence.  It's been tough though to the point of exhaustion.  It's like giving up alcohol and becoming reacquainted with your feelings.

Social Media Vs. The Group Chat

 

I'm in a play now and we communicate in a group chat.  It's the kind of group chat where you get up from the computer to make a cup of coffee and return to 77 messages.  Almost none of it is necessary information.  It's mostly people trying to be relevant, or passively aggressively excluding or subtly criticizing others, or backdoor bragging.  It really brought back the social media feels.  Especially since in person it's a giant love fest.  

The Rule of Threes

 The "rule of threes" in comedy is a classic writing tool where a comedian sets up a pattern with two normal or similar items, and then breaks that pattern with a funny, unexpected third item. It works by building up the audience's expectation and then delivering a sudden punchline.  This rule is new to me.  My awesome acting partner in a community theater play I'm in told me about this rule of three.  

Now lately I am aware of a different rule of three:  When three people talk about similar subject matter to me within short time period.  Today that rule of three is about precious moments and how they regret not capturing it on video.

It struck me that I didn't need to see the video.  The retelling of their stories created an image in my brain more long lasting than any video or photo could.