Is Social Media Social?

The Anxiety

Lately, whenever I open Instagram I feel... anxious and overwhelmed.

Don't get me wrong, I love seeing what my friends are up to! But... Lately, I feel like the social in social media has been missing. Let me explain.

The Experience

When I first started Instagram in 2015-ish, the app was simple: You post pictures, your friends like and comment, you get to keep in touch with people even if you don't see them everyday. Great. But lately, I feel like I have to get through a tsunami of ads and suggested posts to see a glimpse of a friend I know in real life. Now, I am aware that following a lot of people that I don't know (like celebrities, and brands) doesn't help. But even with that in mind, I feel like my friends are so much harder to connect to via these platforms.

Frankly, I often close social media feeling tired, overwhelmed, and isolated.

Where did the social in social media go?

Reframing

I think I have to accept that the word "social media" has evolved. A lot of the things we call "social media" now, is just a media platform. There is a social aspect in that anyone can connect with an audience, a community. But, the fact that we use these words instead of saying "Connecting with our friends" is telling.

Maybe I'm just old, and I'm just not keeping up with the times. But I think it's a very real reframe that I have to consciously do.

What Now?

I don't really have a clean conclusion here. It's honestly an evolving thought that I will have to sit with for a while. But I hope that I can validate anyone else who is feeling a similar way.

Thanks for reading, see you next week!