Imagine a world without social media…
Everything’s dark. There’s no beeping, no vibrating, no icons jumping up and down on your screen reminding you that there’s a world out there. No social obligations, no status sharing or commenting on your best friend’s latest picture. You grab a pen and start writing a letter. It will take weeks to send it to your oversea friend and get a reply. You don’t have a choice. All the networks are down and social media is history. How does this make you feel?
If you’re feeling uncomfortable, you’re definitely not alone. Living without social media is easier said than done. We live in a world where we are dependent on the constant flow and exchanging of information and ideas. A place, where we are continuously updated about other people’s lives and share our own. Social media is a gigantic, international network that thrives on the individual’s need to stay connected. To stay relevant. We want to show the outside world that we’re doing great and likewise see what our acquaintance from ten years ago had for breakfast.
A digitalized world
It’s hard to imagine a world without social networks. Regardless of whether you’re a fan or not, fact is that social media has revolutionized the way we communicate. Not just personally, but also from a business-perspective. Through instant, 24/7 access, B2C communication is widely used for effective marketing and customer service. Businesses can easily build a significantly larger client list, promote their services and connect with consumers on a more personal level. Without social media, reach is severely limited.
The recent social media blackout that affected Instagram, Facebook and Whatsapp, left countless users all over the world in a hopeless place, with their effort to refresh and update their profiles left unanswered. Why is it though, that many of us have developed obsessive behavior, where the constant checking of our phones has become incessant? Have we lost the ability to be at peace with ourselves? Do we value the number of likes and comments more than the real life experience behind the online post?
This is why a conscious break from social media can help us regain the ability to both work and live more effectively offline. Maybe it’s an involuntary social media blackout that forces us to take the necessary break. Surely, the profit we gain once the initial shock has passed, is significant. Disconnecting every once in a while redirects the focus back to your „real“ life. Without social media you have to learn to give yourself approval instead of waiting to gain some from others, which leads to self-improvement . Finally, you will learn to be more present in person rather than focusing on your presence online.
Victorine Kulier