02: Sabbatical.
It’s time to step back from social media.
I’ll call it a sabbatical for now, with the idea that I’ll somehow return refreshed and improved, and because it coincides with a brief work break. But we can be honest here – this beautiful new blog is a safe space – and admit that this generational tire fire will rage on.
Before you slap me with a “well, bye” GIF, allow me to admit that I’m disappointed and more than a little disturbed how much of my identity and time are wrapped up on social media. I check the boxes for superusers: millennial, former journalist, young professional, and my organization’s social media administrator.
A significant portion of my reporting career can be captured through my tweets. I joined Facebook as a high school sophomore and I’m now a 30-something. Other networks joined in the name of modernity become self-indulgent timesucks. It all became progressively less exciting as life became more real.
My friends are like-minded and similarly informed, so we’ve spent countless hours sending stories, links, and jokes back and forth. The iPhone’s screen time tells me I’m using up 20 hours a week with my phone active like an extra appendage. That rises to 30 or 40 hours in a tournament week during my busy season.
How ridiculous is that? Why can’t I put it all down? Right or wrong, outside of the legitimately habitual thumb press on to my big three – Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, in that order on the bottom row – it is my information IV drip.
So, I want to unhook.
A few reasons and explanations you didn’t ask for here…
- Addiction: I don’t have an addictive personality. I don’t even really have vices, outside of some slight hedonism and untimely sarcasm. I think I’m addicted to social media in the “dopamine-driven feedback loops” sensation described in this 2018 story from Harvard. It really isn’t worth this much time and attention.
- News Outlets: As a former reporter with reporting friends and a constant eye on news and media, I’ve been terrified to walk away. Even though data shows Twitter users vastly overrate their own reach and really are shouting in social media caves, I’m plugged in. It’s part of who I am. But I already pay for news. I’m a proud supporter and a subscriber. My selected outlets offer more than I can consume. It’s time to trust that news process.
- Laughs: OK, this is low-key my greatest concern on this little break. Family and friends will still link me the latest jokes on Twitter and TikTok, and I’ll follow along. I enjoy constantly laughing within my exclusive bubble, from a quick Facebook rant from an old friend to the hilarious Quote Tweets from Spencer Hall (@edsbs) or Jason Concepcion (@netw3rk).
- Work: I manage Twitter and Facebook for my workplace and will resume those duties after a few weeks away. My plan is to limit my intake and stay focused on the output while I’m dropping in. Just enough to educate myself on the trends and stare down the mentions. Seriously, if you’re ever having a rough day, feel better by searching @IHSAA on Twitter and see the social media landscape from my seat. If you find that fun, I have a customer service email inbox to pass along as well.
- Usage: Should posts be openly personal or strictly professional? I suppose I settled for an awkward mix of both. Is every post on behalf of my organization? It certainly reflects on it. The replies and comments and questions can become endless. Offering explanations or fighting back are not worth the time or effort. That has resulted in less sharing, yet still consistent viewing and engagement. I believe I’ve provided a transparent and public connection for an organization that needs more of that, and responses sent to me are mostly positive. I’ll work to be an easy-to-reach resource via emails, calls, or other platforms.
- Reality: Not only does social media dictate an overwhelming amount of daily attention and conversation, it alters how users experience reality. The aggressive replies are attacking users. Or not. Everyone I know is aware of the argument I was just tagged in. Or not. My perspective on this changed as my phone figuratively exploded during our state tournaments in winter 2019 and the competition kept on going. The chaos taking place on Facebook and Twitter had literally no bearing on the game itself. A few months later, an angry dad threatened me with a lawsuit after an event and tried to get his way by telling me, “This is already blowing up on Twitter.” I laughed out loud.
- Energy: The negativity. The ignorance. I know you know. It is all-encompassing, pervasive, destructive, and it has ruined more days than I care to admit. Should I engage? What can I say that won’t compromise my interests? When can I blast these idiots who have all the opinions and none of the information? Answers: No, nothing, never. If I believe social media is contributing to overstimulation, a loss of attention span, and the decline of productive conversation, why do I care what it thinks?
- Platforms: My definition of social media here is going to be focused on the five apps/sites I use most. In order: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Snapchat. It is quantified as “social networking” on your screen time if you want to masochistically check your own levels.
- Farewell: I initially considered some (stupid) grand goodbye, before I started this quaint blog, in which I shared some universal truths, hosted one last AMA, or started firing off hot takes I’ve holstered for an inevitable heel turn. Thankfully I opted to spin it positive with a Twitter thread thanking mentors or individuals who have had a great impact on my adult life, whether they know it or not. That feels like a more appropriate sendoff.
I’m not sure exactly how long I’ll be gone. Maybe a few weeks or maybe when a vaccine arrives – not the fake one we hear about in October to sway an election – or maybe next year or maybe never. Mostly, I want to focus on more important things. I want to be able to look back when I’m 50 (and still most definitely have a full head of hair and six-pack abs) and think that I spent this time wisely.
So, grant me a couple personal social media drops and then I’ll get gone. You can find me here.
The coming weeks will be a gift and an opportunity to pay attention to what matters to me.
Social media ain’t it.
