Social media

I've been thinking a lot about social media recently. I'll start by saying these are just my views and opinions on it. This is in no way an attack on other people and how they feel about it, they can do whatever they want, I have no problem at all with others. I realise I'm in the minority. 

I just don't get it at all. I'm talking about social media now, not the internet, I'm not that much of a dinosaur. I know it can be  a good way to keep in touch with friends or relatives. Also for networking in a career or a professional path.  But I haven't a career or a big circle of friends. I'd rather just phone  them or arrange to meet up with them, face to face.

Social media seems to be this place where perfection goes to live, look at me, look at what I've got, look at my wonderful body/car/holiday and look at how little and inconsequential you are. Why are these people always trying to impress strangers? Sorry, I mean 'followers'

Obviously this does not apply to every single person who uses it. 

I understand that and I know it can be a fantastic tool if used correctly. With regards to information about mental and physical health then knowledge really  is power and if it helps people then  that's great, of course it is.

I'm probably a hypocrite because I recently set up an Instagram account but I'll only ever have friends on it who I've actually met, who have a similar outlook on life as me. The kind of person who is doing something cool with their life.

It seems to me that a lot of people go on Instagram to look at other people's lives instead of doing something with their own. I know not everyone can travel or be free or have a wonderful life but, come on, to just sit and stare at someone else's life and then maybe feel inadequate? No thanks.

I'd much rather only a few people knew what I was doing, supported me and understood the reasons behind my life choice than to have one million avatars clicking 'like'

When I travel then maybe I should use social media to find places of interest to visit. But I've always just found my own way around or asked real, live people who I meet along the way, for recommendations. 

Is online dating a form of social media? I presume so with a profile and stuff. It's never appealed to me but then I've never thought I looked good in a photo. I think I'd be scared to set up an account, what happens after 6 months and absolutely nobody has shown any interest in me at all, how would I feel then? Crushed, probably. 

I presume it can be a force for good as a lot of people find friendship and love on these apps and that is great for them, I really mean it.

But for me I feel I would be spending a long time searching for someone who is not out there, online.

Again, I suppose if I've not tried it then I'm not in a position to comment on it but I'm quite private until I know someone then I'm OK, I think.

I'll open up to some people straight away if I feel the vibe is there, it doesnt have to be a physical attraction from either me or them, I just need to feel that they 'get' me.

I could write pages on this topic but that will do for now, I'll revisit this subject again, I'm sure of it.

I'm off to go and live in a cave.

Keith