grateful for social media

Even though I fucking hate it.

I mean, when was the last time you logged into social media and thought, "yeah, this is making me feel really good about myself!"? Never. That never happens. Except that one time that you found out that the kid who used to bully you in grade school now has tattoos all over his face and was just arrested for homicide. But that rarely happens. What you usually end up doing is feeling bad about yourself because you aren't backpacking through Honduras, or having romantic photo shoots on the beach, or executing a flawless fairy princess birthday party for your nieces all while finding the perfect angles to highlight your cheekbones.

I know social media is skewed. I know you can't compare your "behind the scenes" to other peoples' "highlight reels" and all that cal but it doesn't really help you from feeling bad about yourself in the moment. Then there's the fake news, and the crazy people, and the negativity and it goes on and on. And I hate it, but I'm grateful for it. Here's why:

1. It allows me to stay in touch with friends and family members that I would have lost years ago in a way that isn't possible through phone calls and letters and emails.

2. Have you seen my nieces? They are perfection. And social media allows me to see their beautiful little faces anytime I want.

3. It's actually a really good platform for my blog. If I didn't have a Facebook account or an Instagram, I would have no more than about 5 regular readers.

4. The events section is actually really helpful. I often forget birthdays and parties and things that are happening around me but Facebook lets me know about them even when I don't ask.

6. Social media has actually allowed me to connect with my neighbors better. I have a few different platforms I use but they keep me appraised of things from prowlers to coyotes to free stuff to found pets.

7. I don't have to save my photos anywhere. They just sort of live on the various platforms and if I ever need to get to them I just need an internet connection.

8. Excellent source of communication to friends and family who are traveling to another country who I can't simply text.

Hmm that's all I have right now; I ran out of steam. It's good sometimes to focus on the positive aspects of something that usually seems like the bane of my existence. I feel lighter, free, more positive. Now I just need to stay away from Facebook for a bit to hold on to that feeling. Don't let the social media pull you into the mire! Rise above the negativity! Be like the enlightened person I am pretending to be on this social media website!