I recently got a few emails from a couple of people. In one, someone said they were glad I shared about my Christmas in the psych hospital because her perception before that was that I was perfect. Admittedly, she knew I wasn’t perfect, but it just seemed like my life glows with happiness all the time.
[Tweet “Nobody has a fairytale life. Not your favorite blogger or your favorite pastor.”]
Last night, I got an email from a blog-familiar face. He unsubscribed from me and wanted to tell me why. He said that reading the things I write sometimes make him jealous. When I talk about grace I’ve received, he is reminded of the knives in his back and the arrows close friends shot into his heart. He went through a tough time, and has a bleeding heart to show for it.
I responded, appreciating his honesty and confessed that I often unfollow people (sometimes those I know well) because the things they post – the Christmas party I didn’t get an invite to, the trips to restaurants, the awesome things that God does in their lives – well, it sometimes make me jealous.
And that is my problem. And I continually work on it. (Or I’m trying, anyway).
His email caused me to pause last night and wonder if I’m projecting the truest image of me possible online.
Is my blog the best place to share everything? Is Twitter a platform for gloating? Does Instagram have enough filters to make me look like I’m in my 20s?
No.
I’m going to guess that all of you know I’m not perfect. There is so much I wrestle with: anxiety, control, envy. Self image. Self worth. Perfectionism. Anger.
So. Many. Things.
[Tweet “Social media is a place where the good and bad in our lives are displayed in virtual trophy cases.”]
Let’s break the cases open, smash the trophies, and play around in each others’ celebrations and each others’ heartaches.
Comments
16 responses to “Smashing The Trophy Cases of Social Media”
I’m an oddity Anne. I don’t Tweet or do FB (hence my struggle with being part of the promo). I am fine with that, although there are times I wonder if “I do this or that will it help my blog traffic?” You know…that kind of thinking. I have told myself I do enough with my blog and at the office, therefore, I don’t need more distraction while at home. But there is still this pride part of me that wants to kick in. maybe it is not so much social media idolatry but social media envy for me? Just thinking out loud.
Oh…and for the record…I never saw you as untouchable or unapproachable. I always appreciated your candor.
WHAT IF I STARTED YELLING? Kidding. Humor is hard to type. :)
I’m jealous too! — But i still follow your posts. You have a ton of talent when it comes to writing, (and other things too i’m sure). I think as long as you and your husband are okay with the things you share, keep doing it! It’s a good example to be real and honest with people and i believe that’s a positive thing.
I’ve stopped blogging for a while because i’ve been very busy with new projects and the fact that i feel like i’m not very good at it writing. Hopefully i will start again in January and have the courage you have to be authentic. As i’ve said before, your blogging is very refreshing. Thank you!
Thanks, Phil! :)
For sure, the whole social media thing has taken over our lives, sapped our energy, and morphed us into creatures we weren’t meant to be. We’re less engaged face to face … and those closest to us suffer from our lack of being present right in the here and now.
And then there’s that whole FOMO {fear of missing out} thing that gives us angst because we think life is passing us by and the party boat has come and gone and sailed without us.
Now … to figure out what works for us as individuals {yes to blogging, sorry, no FB, Twitter, Instagram, etc. on this end}. And ask God to redeem the whole online experience. Somehow.
Somehow. Amen.
It’s all a balance, though.
It’s not that we’re trying to project our perfection, it’s just that I’m afraid of the snarky, mean-spirited, angry, depressed person, that I sometimes am. While I think it’s important for me to express certain feelings, I don’t want to give those feelings free reign, because I am afraid of turning into what I hate.
Morever, when I’m feeling truly depressed, I lose the will to write. What do you do with that?
What I’ve learned to value is the opportunity to share my failures. I also enjoy reading bloggers who can share their failures, and laugh at them, as if to say that these things do not have power over us. We can learn from them and these things do not have to define us.
I think as long as we are turning the focus out – not in – it’s good. That includes our (my) response too.
Haven’t been near the Internet for about 5 days, and like Bill and Linda, I don’t use most of the avenues that are open now. Actually I suspect they’ll be great if we ever learn to discipline ourselves and master THEM, not vice versa. (The first computer I ever saw filled a house-sized building, by the way – no doubt that’s a hint as to my age, but oh well.) And, Anne, the blog before this one REALLY makes me glad my family was praying for you EVERY evening, as we were and still are! God bless your Christmas, and thanks for the daily bits of encouragement this month!
Thank you for your prayers!
Let’s do it! I appreciated your post so much. =)
Thanks!
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I just appreciate your realness… helps me not feel so alone in this struggle of life.
Thanks Ginger!