Interesting take on social media and content creators. I have always wondered how the joy of living in the present must be lessened by the need to be thinking of how it will add to content. It doesn't seem to me to be a fair trade for you. And I love following you. Your photos and adventures are interesting but your take on all this is fascinating. It is sort of like you are seeing all of this with a third eye. The event, your acknowedgement of it, and then your role in the process.
I hope you find a way to enjoy this balmy but gray (so far) winter. Every day is a gift.
Hi Mark! Thanks so much for reading and for this comment— it’s definitely something that’s been on my mind a lot lately, and I think you phrase it really well (the event, acknowledgement of, then assessing my own role). I don’t plan to stop writing on here anytime soon but I am hoping to take steps back from social media this year, and I’ll be interested to see how, if at all that changes for me by focusing on the written word.
And it’s snowing now, with sun in the forecast, so I think I’ll find a way to enjoy the rest of the week!
Reading your thoughts - and thoughts of those who comment - is really opening my mind up about writing. I’ve written my whole life mostly just for me (better known as journaling I guess) and more recently to share with family - —- “pre social media, pre blog, pre even computer”. The feel of pencil (not pen) on paper just warms my heart and soul somehow. I’ve kinda self-published twice now and I like the feeling of having pulled together a sense of ME to be shared with no one - except family and self.
BUT - thinking about sharing words with the wider world, it’s intriguing! Thanks for broadening the perspective of an old lady! It’s never too late to learn!
“Everyone’s social media page— your’s, mine— is a reflection of how they would like to be seen and not who they actually are.”
I wish more people understood this. The temptation to disappear off of social media grows stronger every day. Commitments keep me around, and keep me posting. However, it is increasingly more difficult to want to put anything out there, and cutting ties would be like severing the infectious limb.
Though not the main focus of this post, some of your sentiments are comforting in the sense that it’s nice knowing I don’t sit in solitary with similar thoughts.
I definitely relate to that, and sure it’s not the main focus but it’s definitely been an undercurrent in just about everything I write lately—
I think a lot of people are feeling extremely negatively towards social media lately, not just you and I, and we’ll probably see a lot of people doing just that and deleting accounts.
I’ve been thinking about going private a lot lately, as like a happy medium. Take out the algorithm and need to constantly “reach new people” and just focus on creating for the people who are already there. We’ll see though — I’m not sure how that would work with paid partnerships contracts and I don’t want to mess anything up there.
Best of luck to you out there in the Wild West that is the internet!
(And apologies for hitting post by accident on two posts instead of one). But a year ago I liked your stuff, and eventually like enough to support your substation and the last few writing s have show a depth and metacognition that is worthy of appreciation. And while your turmoil in identity and exposure is fair and real- know that it is genuine and thanked and brings depth to your future. Speaking from someone who has lived many of their dreams and still felt empty - you are on the write track to something more and I am glad to see it as a quiet observer
Thank you SO MUCH for this comment! This is really nice and I really appreciated reading your insights. Thank you for coming out of your quiet observer shell, I definitely know how hard that is!
I don’t comment on social media- just because you posted pictures that inspire me and seem to like the things I like: I don’t have that right to engage more then just enjoyment. And I have constant self doubt and awareness that I don’t want to seem like some dude that feels
You hooked me with the title. Great post! So much I'd like to comment on but I just want to say thanks for writing this. And oh, by the way, love the pics, especially the Smokies one:)
Hi Maddy, it’s July and I’m in the Uk and just came across your post. I left Facebook about 2 years ago and Instagram shortly afterwards. It’s changed too much and became a very negative space. I love substack and have been thinking of starting my own one day when I have the time. My 3 young-adult boys avoid most social media - I think things are changing and I really hope that the younger generation spread the word and realise there’s a lot more to life in the real world. Your words are very insightful and helpful ❤️
Maddy,
Interesting take on social media and content creators. I have always wondered how the joy of living in the present must be lessened by the need to be thinking of how it will add to content. It doesn't seem to me to be a fair trade for you. And I love following you. Your photos and adventures are interesting but your take on all this is fascinating. It is sort of like you are seeing all of this with a third eye. The event, your acknowedgement of it, and then your role in the process.
I hope you find a way to enjoy this balmy but gray (so far) winter. Every day is a gift.
Mark
Hi Mark! Thanks so much for reading and for this comment— it’s definitely something that’s been on my mind a lot lately, and I think you phrase it really well (the event, acknowledgement of, then assessing my own role). I don’t plan to stop writing on here anytime soon but I am hoping to take steps back from social media this year, and I’ll be interested to see how, if at all that changes for me by focusing on the written word.
And it’s snowing now, with sun in the forecast, so I think I’ll find a way to enjoy the rest of the week!
—Maddy
Reading your thoughts - and thoughts of those who comment - is really opening my mind up about writing. I’ve written my whole life mostly just for me (better known as journaling I guess) and more recently to share with family - —- “pre social media, pre blog, pre even computer”. The feel of pencil (not pen) on paper just warms my heart and soul somehow. I’ve kinda self-published twice now and I like the feeling of having pulled together a sense of ME to be shared with no one - except family and self.
BUT - thinking about sharing words with the wider world, it’s intriguing! Thanks for broadening the perspective of an old lady! It’s never too late to learn!
Sometimes I wish I’d grown up back before computers and social media!
Let me know if you ever start a blog (or want help starting one!) I’d love to read it!
-Maddy
“Everyone’s social media page— your’s, mine— is a reflection of how they would like to be seen and not who they actually are.”
I wish more people understood this. The temptation to disappear off of social media grows stronger every day. Commitments keep me around, and keep me posting. However, it is increasingly more difficult to want to put anything out there, and cutting ties would be like severing the infectious limb.
Though not the main focus of this post, some of your sentiments are comforting in the sense that it’s nice knowing I don’t sit in solitary with similar thoughts.
I definitely relate to that, and sure it’s not the main focus but it’s definitely been an undercurrent in just about everything I write lately—
I think a lot of people are feeling extremely negatively towards social media lately, not just you and I, and we’ll probably see a lot of people doing just that and deleting accounts.
I’ve been thinking about going private a lot lately, as like a happy medium. Take out the algorithm and need to constantly “reach new people” and just focus on creating for the people who are already there. We’ll see though — I’m not sure how that would work with paid partnerships contracts and I don’t want to mess anything up there.
Best of luck to you out there in the Wild West that is the internet!
Thanks, same you you!
(And apologies for hitting post by accident on two posts instead of one). But a year ago I liked your stuff, and eventually like enough to support your substation and the last few writing s have show a depth and metacognition that is worthy of appreciation. And while your turmoil in identity and exposure is fair and real- know that it is genuine and thanked and brings depth to your future. Speaking from someone who has lived many of their dreams and still felt empty - you are on the write track to something more and I am glad to see it as a quiet observer
Hi AJ!!
Thank you SO MUCH for this comment! This is really nice and I really appreciated reading your insights. Thank you for coming out of your quiet observer shell, I definitely know how hard that is!
-Maddy
I don’t comment on social media- just because you posted pictures that inspire me and seem to like the things I like: I don’t have that right to engage more then just enjoyment. And I have constant self doubt and awareness that I don’t want to seem like some dude that feels
You hooked me with the title. Great post! So much I'd like to comment on but I just want to say thanks for writing this. And oh, by the way, love the pics, especially the Smokies one:)
Thanks for reading and for commenting! The Smokies definitely have a special place in my heart— I’d love to recreate that road trip one day :)
-Maddy
Sounds awesome!
Hi Maddy, it’s July and I’m in the Uk and just came across your post. I left Facebook about 2 years ago and Instagram shortly afterwards. It’s changed too much and became a very negative space. I love substack and have been thinking of starting my own one day when I have the time. My 3 young-adult boys avoid most social media - I think things are changing and I really hope that the younger generation spread the word and realise there’s a lot more to life in the real world. Your words are very insightful and helpful ❤️
wow thank you! I'm so glad to hear that💕