Unfortunately, at the exact same time, our modern world is moving more and more people toward social isolation and loneliness due to the Internet and social media. But do we really want to be critical of the great modern technology that is simultaneously bringing us all closer together and moving us all apart, at the same time?
It boils down to finding a sense of balance between "reality" and "virtual reality". Are you truly "with" others if you are only communicating with them on the Internet, but at the same time (in reality) sitting by yourself, night after night, in front of your computer screen, and not really physically interacting with anyone? Not really.
It's important that we find balance between the two worlds in which we use the human body to move, walk, lift, stand, talk and make sound, and feel the ground beneath us, versus the other world in which we feel only the hard surface of our office chair on our bum as we sit for hours on end clicking with one hand and straining our eyes to see small font.
There are many remedies to solving this imbalance and here are a few of them:
1. Consider joining a group of people who meet-up on a regular basis (weekly or monthly) to actually be together physically for talk, discussion, board games, dog walking, or any other physical activity such as hiking, walking, boating, etc. This puts things on your schedule that force you out from behind the computer, so make sure it's not just a group of people gathering around a computer at someone's house!
2. Look for reasons to meet your friend or friend(s) at the local coffee shop or restaurant for face-to-face talk time. Agree to not bring your phones, laptops and tablets. Make it real.
3. Sign up for local walks that have been prearranged for various charity organizations. The event will push you to gather sponsors for your event, and get you out among others for some needed exercise and conversation.
4. Determine how much time you spend on social media and cut it in half. Use the other half of the time to get up and go socialize with neighbors, friends, coworkers, or family. Your kids might be shocked you've come out of your cave to spend time with them!
5. Invite someone over for a cup of coffee or tea. Don't head for the computer to show them your latest project. Make sure it's face-to-face time with your guest.
**The main idea is not to stifle your social media completely, but to find more balance between the reality that it is (i.e., sitting alone in front of a electronic screen), and the reality that actually exists out there in the world.
Thanks to Betty Nudler for the great photo
