Post Facebook Contemplation

So,

It's been 2 weeks since I decided to give up on social media. I deleted my Facebook (ca. 1850 friends) and Twitter (900+ followers) in an attempt to clean up my life and especially the way I spend my time. I needed to get out of the house more, get 'real' with my social contacts and focus on the many challenges still facing me in the next few months. I wasn't doing well, my focus was all over the place and taking in a couple-hundred updates every day certainly usurps a lot of your brain. On top of that, my girlfriend had been complaining about lack of attention. I needed to make a move. And I did.

Throwing my carefully crafted social network out with the bath water may seem like an overstatement, and perhaps even a stupid idea considering most of my work has been in communication. But I'm trying to change some of my patterns, and involving myself in this digital community has been a persistent distraction for a long time now.

At first, I felt completely relieved having 'done the deed' (someone get me a cigarette). A burden was lifted from my shoulders and my girlfriend was quite pleased as well. Jasper 1 - Social Media 0. The next few days I was more focused, things were getting done... I was on top of the world. But as with all nasty habits, they don't take their defeat graciously. Up to now, I've caught myself randomly surfing to the facebook or twitter to be met with an empty login portal. It's like the routine to check those sites is completely imbedded in my subconscious. Creepy. Luckily I snap out if it easily, so there's no real risk of undoing all my work.¹ But there's also a more serious contention to consider: the loss of an audience. As a (self-proclaimed) music journalist I've used social media to keep informed on what people are doing, to stay in touch with 'the scene' and to get the word out on my published articles as well as simply sharing tidbits with my audience.

While I haven't really found myself at a disadvantage when it comes to getting informed and I've made it a point to focus on my real-life interactions, I've essentially lost the connection with my audience. No more easy ways of sharing music and anecdotes, thoughts and jokes with a group of 'like' minded individuals. ² I didn't anticipate this would be such a hard pill to swallow, considering that I wasn't sharing that many updates in the weeks leading up to my 'digital suicide'. But there's no disputing the fact that I'm suffering at the moment. Apparently, I don't write solely for my own enjoyment. Don't get me wrong: I'm no stranger to the fact that social media is a huge catalyst for a person's ego. And mine is jonesing for some thumbs up from the digital crowd.

It's utterly disappointing. Off course, I'm not caving in, but the fact that I'm really actually suffering from Facebook-withdrawal... what a silly thing! Not to mention the grave implications this puts on Facebook. More than ever, I see the danger of getting trapped inside social media's web. Thankfully, it has only added to my perseverance.

So what's the conclusion thus far?
1. I need to face my own ego, obviously. I need to be able to create meaning in what I do outside of 'the other'.
2. I need to be more creative when it comes to social interactions. In the end, real-life interactions will always trump whatever social media will throw at you, despite the extra effort.
3. I need to keep my long-term goals in mind. Get ahead with my education; spend more quality time with the missus; improve relationships with the people you hold dearest; be a more productive person in general. That's what I'm out to achieve. Maintenance of aim is always a difficult thing, but achieving one's goals is the ultimate pay off; only then can one decide the worth of one's sacrifices.

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1 I should point out here that Facebook keeps your profile on file indefinitely, while Twitter erases your profile after four weeks. Especially in the case of FB, it's devious. Your 'old social life' is only a mouseclick away. That's how to get you. 
2 In case you were wondering: Yes, I'm coining that.