Replacing Social Media @NanReinhardt



I'm sure you're probably sick of hearing about this, but I’ve been off social media for two weeks now. That doesn’t seem like all that long, but seriously, it’s been tough. Mostly because I live kind of a solitary life here—I edit, I write, I hang out with Husband, and I bug Liz with texts and gChat. However, I’ve never whined about working at home. It’s a great gig. Where else can you go to the office in your jammies and get your laundry done the same time you get your work done? And pretty much, I’m free to take off at any given time of day to hit the grocery store (although Husband has pretty much taken over that duty) or take a walk or go to the pool or go see Dee or meet Sister PJ for lunch. That part rocks, no question. The good stuff far outweighs the not-so-good, no matter what you may read here today. 

But . . . ah, you knew there was a but, didn’t you? There always is. So here’s the thing—and this is true for every freelancer I know. We tend to use the Internet, specifically Facebook and Twitter, but more Facebook, as our virtual water cooler. It’s where we keep up with what’s going on in the world, where we chat about last night’s episode of Designated Survivor or Victoria and the latest breakthroughs in great software and tools for editing. It’s how I know when the most recent version of CMS is hitting the shelves and whether or not Acme Publishing has decided to outsource all their production work to India. Facebook editor groups are a terrific resource for any and all grammar, usage, and style questions I may have.

As for the writer part of me—social media keeps me up-to-date on my favorite authors, lets other authors know I’m around and accepting work or that I’m out of the office and not taking on any new clients at the moment. This is all stuff that I can post to my blog—www.nanreinhardt.com—(See what I did there? I just threw in a free promo for my blog . . . and all you have to do is click!). I can also answer questions in emails and I do get frequent notes from clients and potential clients, so that’s all good. But still . . . I'm feeling a little out of touch.

So you see can why I’m sorta suffering from a huge chasm of lonely right now . . . darn good thing I have Netflix and knitting and my treadmill. I can watch and knit and watch and walk—it’s a win all the way around. Thankfully, my new favorite podcast, https://chipperish.com, is on the same page as I am right now regarding binge-watching TV. Lani Diane Rich is doing weekly podcasts about different episodes of The West Wing, one of my all-time favorite series. It’s been fun to watch the assigned episode and then listen to the podcast—the second one of which drops tomorrow—yay! I can get an amazing amount of knitting done through four or five episodes of Toby and Sam and CJ and Josh and the rest of the inhabitants of the West Wing. (Notice I mentioned Toby first—he’s my favorite character—sensitive, uber-intelligent, and sexy in a balding professorial kind of way.) 

Anyway, Netflix is saving my sanity through Lent, which may possibly mean that I’ve merely exchanged one bad habit (too much time on social media) for another (too much time binge-watching TV). However, I don’t think so. I look at Netflix as discovery--absorbing narrative--which always makes you a better writer. So here’s the inevitable Word Wranglers closing question: If you gave up social media for forty days, what do you think you’d use to replace it? Discuss . . .

Comments

  1. I think if I took a break from FB--the only social media venue I actually frequent--I'd have to BE more social. I'd write in the coffee shop sometimes, plan an overnight trip to see a play or a concert, and--like you said--do more gChatting and texting. I don't like my dependency on FB, but only because I consider it a dependency; I really do like Facebook itself. You're doing great, though!

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    1. I'm heading to church tonight for women's circle and then to writer's group on Wed and Dee's on Thursday... so yeah, a little more social. Thanks for the atta girls! Hugs!

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  2. I'd probably replace my social media usage with wine consumption:-)
    Keep it up, Nan! You can do it!

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    1. Well . . . I'm really trying not to let my wine consumption increase during this time. Thanks for vote of confidence!

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  3. hang in there, Nan, you're doing great. I'm not sure what I'd replace my social media habits with. I'd like to say exercise but...that would be a lie. :D

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    1. Thanks, Kristi--who knew this would be so hard? I truly didn't. I am hitting the pool a bit more frequently, so I've got that going for me... ;-)

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  4. Nan, you are doing great. I admire you getting out and being more social in person. I would probably just burrow in and never talk to anyone. Stay strong!

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    1. Thanks, Carolyn--I'm hanging in there. Burrowing in doesn't sound half bad though...hmmm... ;-)

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  5. I'm a fairly new convert to Facebook only starting an account a year ago. I do find I have gotten into the habit of checking it everyday. If I had to give it up I would email or text more. I am enjoying my time away from the office and so happy to be able to write every day. I do sympathize with you Nan but congratulate you. keep up the good work

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    1. I was more than checking once a day, Patrice...I was an every couple of hours kind of Facebooker. Too much! Thanks for the support!

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    1. Yeah, my sister and Liz are being inundated, I'm afraid and then there's gChat...gleeps! Thanks for stopping by, Tia!!

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  7. I've been off Facebook for a while. It has to do with what happened last January 20th. I still post my blog there and check for notifications, but that's all. Here's my perspective:
    https://mypointbeing.com/2017/03/13/staying-away-from-facebook/

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    1. Thanks, Mike--I'll take a look and yes, a lot of why I made this particular Lenten sacrifice has to do with events on Jan. 20. Glad you came by!

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  8. Like Kristina, I'd like to say if I got off social media I'd go to the gym more often, but based on my record lately that probably wouldn't be true. I'd also like to think I'd write more. The jury's out on that one, too.

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  9. Yeah, Jana, the jury's still out about how much being off FB and Twitter has increased my gym time and my writing time...it has increased my knitting time however... ;-)

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