Each New Year seems to have an abundance of limitations – on food, on choice words, on habits. For me, even though it is not a “resolution,” I do try to limit certain parts of my life at the beginning of each year. The losing helps me regain control and sets a certain tone and pace for the rest of the year.
Social media is one of those “things” I tend to limit at the start of each year. This year is no different; I am limiting my social media involvement. However, I’ve decided to limit my moderation, even, and the reason – to me – is simple: relationships.
I’ve formed too many wonderful relationships to just plainly walk away and leave unattended for a month or longer. While I won’t spend each free moment scrolling through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, The ONC, and more, I will spend my select free time conversing with the people I enjoy, cultivating the relationships I want to see develop.
I thought long and hard about this “limiting in moderation,” and the people that kept coming back to my mind were Julianna Paradisi, Keith Carlson, Gypsy Nurse, and Kevin Ross. You see, these colleagues, separated by thousands of miles and nursing specialties, helped share a post I was passionate about with their circles of influence. (You can still act on that post’s action.) They certainly did not have to, but they chose to, and they’re the ones I know about; there certainly may be other colleagues who shared the message with others.
It’s these kind of relationships that matter to me. Seemingly strangers but connected with growing, invisible ties. If you don’t know any of those folks, you certainly need to check them out on their personal sites and blogs, Twitter, and Facebook. They have valuable information, and you never know – they just might become a connection you never thought you’d have.
So, while limiting myself is good…everything is better in moderation – even limits.
Keith Carlson
January 2, 2013 10:48 pmWell, thank you for the mention, and I appreciate your efforts to limit your time spent on social media.
I find social media a double-edged sword. I make friends, connections and expand my circles, and I also spend many hours getting lost in places when I could be spending that time more “constructively”. On the other hand, keeping those relationships vibrant and interesting is also important, so striking a balance is the key.
I have made some very good friends and business contacts on social media, and I have moved some of those relationships out of the social media space and expanded them with phone calls, Skype and even face to face meetings. It’s nice to break through the virtual wall sometimes and actually talk to someone you only know through the printed word and photos.
Balance and moderation are important in our lives, of course, but as the famous saying goes, “everything in moderation–except wild abandon!”
The Gypsy Nurse
January 13, 2013 1:05 pmThank you so much for the mention. I’ve been traveling for the past week and read this on my phone during my travels but didn’t have an opportunity to thank you.
I was more than happy to share your post…I think that ‘passion’ is something that should be encouraged and shared and I felt the passion you had for the issue when reading your original post. Thank you for sharing your passion and allowing me to spread it!
I wish you the best in moderating your ‘social’ time. I understand and feel overwhelmed at times myself. Happy to have met and been able to interact with those that I’ve connected with online and have transitioned to ‘live’ friends and cohorts!
Hopefulhealer
January 26, 2013 10:59 pmWe have also formed some great friendships via social media. Let’s all try to do balance!