Social Media on the run… addictive?

I don’t know about you, but heck…. I find it difficult to even think of a day without social media in my life. Hmmm… wonder if Shabz is online… or Claire perhaps (calculate time zones and check anyway)…. hey what’s everyone got to say on Twitter…

Probably one of the first things I do when I wake is check emails and Twitter updates on my phone. I have deliberately not added the mobile Facebook application, since I already have GTalk, Yahoo Messenger and Blackberry Messenger…. in addition to two email accounts and oh… an additional Twitter account too. These seem more than enough to keep me occupied and connected whilst on the go.

When my phone went in for repairs, I felt officially lost! I promise you…. I’m convinced I had withdrawal symptoms. These 3 weeks truly seemed like the longest 3 weeks of my life. Initially, it was as if I just didn’t know what to do with myself and this built-in inclination to check up on statuses, messages and chats. How could technology do this to me!!! Don’t they realise how much I need it?? How dependant I’ve become on the convenience? No red little flashing light to check?? What now?

The first week was super hard and slowly the realization sunk in that I need to occupy myself in other ways and just live with my little scenario. Ultimately… I think I calmed down a bit. I chilled bit more, read more, didn’t feel the need to check little red light (cos well I couldn’t even if I wanted to). And sitting at the PC is just not the same. Needless to say- happiness returned once my phone got back.

I have the habit of putting my phone on quiet mode – not even silent or vibrate – with the idea that I check up on things when I want to, when convenient for me, particularly when with family and some friends. So the thinking was that I managed my time pretty well when it comes to social media. Well- my 3 weeks of perceived hell certainly proved me wrong and I couldn’t help but think… am I addicted … me?

Make no mistake, obviously I love social media and being connected, yet my 3 week abstinence taught me that I need to strike a healthier balance between time spent online and off.

Love it or hate it- it’s now a part of our daily lives…. learn to deal with it or you may find yourself networking with the 12 steps.

(Pic: http://is.gd/gCqkF)