Many of us this winter are excitedly making plans to start something new, finish, re-do or improve. From listening to others or seeing digital posts these past few weeks on social media sites, it appears that scores of people are already planning this year’s garden, getting more physically healthy, planning vacations, going back to school, going to Disney World, or perhaps trying a different type of vacation that involves getting out in nature.
Maybe this year is “the year” you finally re-do the kitchen, build that deck, take that dream trip, or fulfill another need or want on your bucket list.
It is great to see all the things other people are doing or places they are visiting. Social media is a great way to “showcase” activities while keeping up with the happenings of friends and family. Some show “all the moments,” while others not so much. It is what people choose to share, which is usually the happy, golden moments, that is a good thing.
While it is satisfying to keep everyone connected and to see how big all the kids are growing, does it sometimes make you feel that maybe you’re working too much or maybe not living as perfect a life as others? Do you have a fear of missing out (FOMO for short)?
At no other time in history have we had so much access. Psychologists say social media can change our views or expectations in an unhealthy way and that it is important to pay attention to how you feel after visiting your social media sites.
Don’t get me wrong; this is not a disparagement of social media sites. I love staying connected and finding all manner of free stuff, such as recipes for a healthier way of eating, ways to shoot arrows straighter at my local archery range; or how to do just about anything by watching online videos. There are great photo ideas to save to “Boards” on one favorite site — which, by the way, can definitely lead to too much online time.
It’s just important to remember that for the majority of us, life can be messy and not perfect, even if it appears to be so for others. If it seems all is going good for them, we can be happy for them, but then hope it stays that way for a long while. After all, don’t we want a good life for us all? While social media can be a good tool and utilized to enhance our lives, it is important to create that happy balance of living our “real life” face to face while doing and seeing what we really want, and that brings a more personal meaning to our lives.
Getting out or learning new things and doing more by being physically present is often part of the essence of our new year’s goals and living our “real life” no matter our method: gardening, walking the Pennsy Trail or visiting a place you’ve never been before, some of which are right here in our own community waiting for you to discover.
Note that there’s not any kind of list here, as I’m pretty sure you already have plenty of your own. After all, it’s the start of a new year.
Teresa Holland is a writer, photographer, quilter and advanced-practice registered nurse. You may write to her at [email protected].
