Walking Away From Social Media 2
An Entertainer? Nope.
The Wisconsin goodbye is in full effect with social media. I’m standing by the front door with my boots on, but I am sharing “one last story” about how I saw the aftermath of a giant pig versus lightning strike when I was little. Or some morbid rural recollection as I have no filters and might tend to overshare a bit. The story-sharing will go on for a while, as part of the ritual of leaving a residence in this neck of the woods requires. I love it.
Another beautiful Wisconsin morning.
Sharing is something I find to be lovely. Sharing a story is a means to teach, or just for the value of entertainment or sheer joy. Being entertained is a crucial piece of making our human existence liveable. For some time I have been pondering how entertaining and sharing have been cultivated on social media platforms. Books and other media do the same thing, and all of these often have monetization attached.
Social media and mobile devices have brought entertainment to us 24/7. And I think about the constant need or even addiction to watch someone doing something entertaining for us. Whether it’s a synchronized dance, making slime, or listening to opinions that we know will make us angry. The rush of adrenaline can be addictive.
I enjoy entertainment in so many forms. Music, art, video games, movies, you name it. But wow, the burnout is real. While I enjoy entertaining people with silly stories, I’m more of a person who prefers to share and listen, collaborate, and work on a project. And this is another reason why I’m saying my Wisconsin goodbyes to social media. The push to be an entertainer on a social media platform is not my jam. I refuse.
Think about how being constantly entertained has impacted us individually or as a society. Perhaps we now judge leadership based on whether things are being shaken up and if we see things “happening” rather than recognizing what good leadership qualities are. I dread feeling like I’m in a reality TV series some days. And have been craving for more balanced and authentic interactions in my life.
Which, I have been pursuing. Making time to catch up and have coffee, or wine with friends. Creating more intention in my life has helped my brain and well-being. I’m excited to keep sharing stories and listening to people. Either in person or through the EB Ranch Farmstead website.
I will end this with a quote from Tom Robbins. He recently passed away at the age of 92, what a glorious long life!
“Our lives are not as limited as we think they are; the world is a wonderfully weird place; consensual reality is significantly flawed; no institution can be trusted, but love does work; all things are possible; and we all could be happy and fulfilled if we only had the guts to be truly free and the wisdom to shrink our egos and quit taking ourselves so damn seriously.”
