In a recent blog post titled, Three Primary Components of a Deliberate Living System[1], we read that these components are the Seven Dimensions of Wellness, Permaculture, Entrepreneurship.  Today, we’re discussing Social Wellness and Social Media.

Social Wellness

Social Wellness is the ability to relate to and connect with other people in our world. Our ability to establish and maintain positive relationships with family, friends and co-workers contributes to our Social Wellness.[2]

We relate to and connect with other people in our world a number of different ways.  Over the past century, these ways have changed dramatically.  Over the past few decades, the change has been even greater.

Currently we are experiencing one of the most monumental shifts regarding our own humanity.  This shift is perhaps most noticeable with regard to technology and human connectivity.  Connectivity with humans has become integrated with social media.

Social Media

Let’s examine the term “social media:”

• Social

• Media

• Combined: Social media

 

Personal Social Media Usage

I am a user of the following social media platforms:  Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn.  The only accounts that are personalized to/for myself are Twitter and LinkedIn.  The way in which I use Facebook and Instagram is via business and/or organization pages, where I create and/or moderate the contact that is shown on those various pages.

Social Media Usage Experimentation

For years, I maintained a personal Facebook account.  I also struggled with my inability to effectively manage the way I used it.  I allowed it to be a tremendous time suck.  Accordingly, on two separate occasions I have “left” Facebook (aka “Hotel California”).

Facebook makes this very easy to do.  We have the ability to check out any time we like, but unless we actually delete our account, we can’t ever leave.  Disabling your account just puts everything “on hold.”  The first time I “left” was in mid-2012.

At that time, there were various reasons for doing so (if you’re curious, just comment below or shoot me a message here), and after approximately 8 months I re-enabled it.  The act of leaving Facebook was a great social experiment.  Try it.

Currently, I am in the process of another personal Facebook hiatus.  I left Facebook approximately 6 months ago and have enjoyed my time away from it.  Again, I’m still using business and organization pages, but very deliberately.

Over the past few months, I’ve received feedback on my decisions – both positive and negative.  Social media, and it’s integration in the lives we lead and the shift in the societal norm is really quite fascinating.  It’s easier to review this while slightly removed.

In addition to feedback regarding my presence (or lack thereof) on social media – there’s also been a lot of discussion about it with friends, acquaintances, and business partners.  Again, fascinating conversation on many levels for various reasons.

 

• Have you experimented with the way you use social media?

 

If you have, I’d love to hear about it.  Please comment below or email me here to share.

Share this blog post on your own social media below and keep the conversation going!

 

 

 

[1] http://www.deliberatelivingsystems.com/three-primary-components-deliberate-living-system/

[2] https://wellness.ucr.edu/seven_dimensions.html