Why I hate social media
Why I hate social media
People often think I love social media.
That makes sense, too. I post photos and videos and am active on various platforms.
People sometimes think that I crave attention.
I see. With my tattoos, I look a bit flamboyant and I often show myself off in all my finery.
But honestly?
To be honest, I really can’t stand it.
And not just a little bit, either.
Small Talk
Not creating content. That’s actually what I enjoy. I love writing, taking photos, filming and creating. My head is bursting with ideas, and I’d love to bring them all to life.
What I don’t like is everything that goes with it.
It’s no coincidence that, before I set up my businesses, I wasn’t on social media (anymore).
And it’s not for nothing that I’ve disabled the DM function on my current social media accounts. And I tend to cut other chat conversations short fairly quickly.
Even in face-to-face situations, I can’t stand conversations that go nowhere. The same old chat, dozens of times a day. Starting with: “Hi darling”, followed by nothing.
I’m not very good at small talk.
Nor in real life.
If there’s one thing that really gets me excited, it’s a good conversation. Someone with a sense of humour. Someone who’s passionate about something. Or someone who simply has something interesting to say.
Not twenty messages asking how my day is going. Or thirty times asking if I’m doing anything fun.
That’s why I actually see my social media as a shop window.
You have a look around. You find out who I am. You decide whether or not you want to buy something.
Just like in a shop.
Or better still: a self-service shop.
I’m not online all day
If my shop were actually a physical shop, I wouldn’t spend hours standing by the shop window having a chat with every passer-by either.
That might sound a bit businesslike.
But it is fair, though.
Many people think that content creators are online all day long.
Some people might be like that too.
Not me.
I’d rather spend my time – apart from with my family and my partner – writing new blog posts, creating unique content, coming up with ideas for new photo shoots or working on my website.
Because, in the end, this is more rewarding for me than chatting to everyone on social media.
Instagram post
An Instagram post might only last a day.
A good blog can continue to attract visitors for years to come.
Perhaps that’s why I’m more of a writer than an influencer.
And I’m actually quite happy about that.
I’d rather build something that will still be attracting visitors in five years’ time than a post that will be forgotten by tomorrow. It might not be as spectacular as going viral, but it suits me just fine.
I’m not an influencer who just happens to write.
I’m a writer who just happens to use social media.
That’s why I can’t stand social media
Whilst I regularly post on social media, in real life I prefer to keep to myself as much as possible. I’m quite independent and enjoy being on my own.
Why?
Because I have lots of hobbies and interests and I’m perfectly happy keeping myself entertained.
And because talking to people a lot tends to drain my energy rather than give me any.
On social media, I show what I make, what I sell and what services I offer.
After all, you’ve got to put food on the table, and if you don’t make yourself seen, people won’t even know you exist.
It’s as simple as that.
Back when I was still just using social media for personal reasons (on the advice – or at the insistence – of a friend who thought I’d love it), I found that I quite enjoyed posting a photo or a message every now and then, but didn’t feel like responding to the comments that followed.
I also received messages via DM from people I hadn’t spoken to for years and didn’t really need to speak to anymore.
Or worse still, messages from strangers who wanted to get to know me or even meet up with me.
It’s not because I don’t like them.
I just don’t feel the need for it.
I see my own friends a few times a year. I’m not keen on having to maintain any more social contacts than that.
Not online either.
Oh, right.
And, as far as I’m concerned, tattoos are a matter of personal taste, not an invitation or a statement.
Do you enjoy reading my work and would you like to support me?
Thank you for inspiring me to keep creating.
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