Welcome to Community Week!
Today I am taking a look at my Facebook Addiction. I do so while I am in the midst of exploring Google+ (do let me know if you would like an invite) and Twitter as part of my Bliss Habits community building initiatives and over the course of this week I plan to discuss the pros and cons of each of these platforms and see what exactly works best for me and for you my dear readers!
(As you know, we do have a Bliss Habits page over on Facebook, which I plan to discuss further later in the week but this post is more about my personal Facebook usage.)
I just couldn’t let this community week go by without talking about Facebook. There are lots of folks out there that love it and just as many who hate it. I am in the former category. I would say that I am a “FAN” but for some odd reason Facebook has decided “FAN” is too strong a word so I am only able to “LIKE” them. Yes, Facebook has its foibles and all privacy concerns aside, it has been one of the best things in this transplanted, somewhat well traveled, nosy, late to motherhood, social butterfly’s life.
I am truly addicted. Because of Facebook no era of my life has to die. I can kibitz with grade school and college buddies, reminisce with exchange students all over the globe, follow the inside jokes of former colleagues, be reminded of great restaurants and bars in many cities, track my relatives, get advice and share some fun with people I met when I was in diapers or even just this week. Communities are kept alive because we can so easily participate together.
I have to fess up. I have even been known to get some news via Facebook. If a couple of my friends comment about a story then I need to know more. Even better if I hear of something happening in Boston I can check the validity with Maria who lives near by. What happened in Texas? I have several friends there! Chicago snow storm, Volcanic ash over Ireland, Hurricane… I can get real time information from all over the world instantly!
Facebook brings sad news as well as good. A favorite Latin teacher passes away, a former colleague has a heart attack, a friend’s spouse is ill. Jobs are lost and found. We hear about babies (Walter’s updates on the twins are particularly fun!) I can share about my own. (Funny things my girl says is a regular feature over there.) The stuff of life happens there in quick little tidbits. Just perfect for my busy life.
Since starting my blog I’ve been able to curb my obsessive compulsive status update checks and I haven’t spent nearly the time I used to spend over there but I love that no matter the hour it is waiting for me. I can jump in on Joanie’s “Where you at Wednesday” game or if I need mommy advice, a bevy of local friends and my Over 35 mom’s club (ok I know I’m even older but if we started at 45 the group would be really little!) are quick with answers. Facebook is just there waiting for me to start a conversation, join or just follow one. Just knowing my 650+ friends are out there makes me feel like I am still part of the communities that make up my life.
Do you Facebook too? What do you love/hate about it? Does it make your communities stronger?
I’m a TRUE introvert (heh- can you tell?!), so Facebook is perfect for me. It allows me to dip in, check in, send love to friends and family, and then just when it gets to be too much, I can click off for a while, and find my energy again. It also allows me to focus on the people who mean the most to me- I am friends with a variety of people on there, but I am able to control whose posts I see on my main page. I know it doesn’t take the place of real world communication, but I like when I am working or something, I can take a three-minute-break and “dip in”, say hello, make sure everyone is okay, and then go back to work.