Social Media....what is it good for?

I've started weaning myself from social media as much as I can. I still enjoy Facebook to a certain degree, but I realize just how attached to it people are and how out of touch they are with the real world. It is a sad situation when people start a conversation with, "Did you see what I posted on Facebook today?" or "Did you see so and so's status? Wonder who that was about?" Lately, my response has been,"Nope. Not on Facebook much anymore." or "Not my business. Don't really care." 

Since starting the Think Thankfully Facebook page (www.facebook.com/ThinkThankfully), I utilize Facebook more than I have in recent weeks. There was a time I was refreshing my newsfeed so often it was ridiculous! Not so much anymore. I admit I miss a lot and people probably think I have them hidden because I don't go on like I used to. If not for the Think Thankfully page, I am not so sure how much  Facebook I would truly do. But, I honestly enjoy that part of Facebooking. I like seeing the amount of people sharing the status updates, images, and even sharing their own Think Thankfully experiences! I enjoy seeing how many people one idea or image has reached. It makes me feel like I am doing something worthy on the social media outlet rather than creeping on people. I truly enjoy seeing more positivity on my newsfeed. I enjoy seeing people acknowledge a negative but then following up with a positive spin. 

People in our society have become a slave to social media. Teens take to Twitter to Tweet about their favorite sports teams, television shows, quirks, and music. They also use their Twitter account to engage in Tweet wars, figuring they are safe in bickering over THAT social media source.  Facebook status updates are posted that either add humor to our day, make us ponder things, lash out at people without using names, or simply let us know the blow by blow of daily happenings. While the majority of people use social media because they are nosey (sorry, but that is the truth.), some use it to keep up with family and friends who live away from the area, others use it to share sincere updates with us.  One of my friends is getting married on Saturday and I smile every time I see her update her status because I can feel her excitement! The other day she actually apologized for so many wedding updates! Trust me, I would rather see that than the chronic gripers, those who like to throw others under the bus via an update, those who complain about EVERYTHING in their lives. I'm not saying the occasional status that is a downer status is a bad thing. Heck we all have bad days or bad experiences. And if we can't unload that on our friends then who can we unload on. That is understandable. It is the constant, attention seeking, complainers that drain the life out of you! The ones who can never seem to see the good in ANYTHING. 

Social media has been a great tool for reconnecting with friends whom I haven't seen in a long time. I am able to keep up with one of my dearest friends who lives in Switzerland. Social media has reconnected online friends I made some 16 years ago, ladies I consider among my closest friends. I am able to spread my message of Think Thankfully to people who want to hear it or who NEED to hear it. Social media can be a wonderful outlet for those who use it for the right reasons!

Now if only I could wean myself of my Candy Crush addiction!!! But that is another posting for another day!!!!