Dear Annie: I have been out of social media for about five years and this year I have made a resolution to reduce my screen time. The average screenshot low for about one hour a day. If I had a way to measure it, I would say that my mental health has improved a lot.
One year or two before Covid, I decided that I was tired of putting in useless arguments with people I don’t even know, so I retired from all social media. I had to “Knuckle White” during the 30 days leaving your available account in case you want to return. The disadvantage for me is that if I want to see photos of my children on vacation or my granddaughter doing anything, I can’t click. I have asked my children to only make me a text message. The advantage for me is more peace of mind, maybe even better mental health.
From my free view of social media, it seems that many people are based on their relationships with the families and friends of artificial construction who are social networks. A friend breaks with tears regularly, bewildered, when he told me that one of his children has published something harmful or that he has not “puzzled” on Facebook. They live 10 minutes by car and both have phones. Why don’t you talk face to face instead of Facebook or pick up your Dang phone and have a real conversation?
I cannot for the life of me why our society has given so much social networks so much control over our lives. It is great to say goodbye to a quick record or to see those photos that would normally go to Facebook or Instagram. Send an email to my children when I need to send them something in an attachment, or maybe a link to something I have read that maybe they are interested in. I have a daughter in the middle west and one on the east coast. We talk on the phone at least four or five times a week.
I have also been relying a lot in the United States Postal Service, especially postcards. I put one in the mail every Monday morning on my granddaughter on Midwest. I have a pile of princess princess cards and babies animals. My daughter tells me that my granddaughter keeps them in a special box and leads them to “read” to her stuffed animals’ friends. I mean them as physical texts. Shipment is less than a regular label and I am supporting the postal service, which, by the way, is not based on federal funds; It’s self -supporting. I have a postcard with which I follow and usually after a party or celebration in my house, I will send postcards to my guests to thank them for appearing.
I am worried that our society is generally too dependent on technology. I see it as a tool that, when used, is beneficial, but when they are allowed to consume our lives it can be destructive.
Thank you for the tips you give to your column, it is the first I read in the morning with my coffee.
—Hit from the screen
Dear screen time: This letter is a breath of fresh air. When it is intentionally used, technology can be a fantastic tool, but meaningless displacement is the source of anxiety, social comparison and feelings of inadequacy. Thank you for sharing these reflective examples.
“How can I forgive my partner partner?” It is outside now! Annie Lane’s second anthology, with preferred columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation, is available as paperback and electronic book. Call http://www.creatorspublishing.com For more information. Send your questions to Annie Lane to Dearannie@creators.com.
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