I’m
sure this topic has been blogged about a number of times. I’ve seen many video’s
about the habit of smart phone usage. How many of us like and share those
video’s on Facebook but don’t live it? You know, the ones were one person is
quietly sitting while her friends are sitting around the lunch table checking
their phones, ignoring her. Very sad. Very sad and yet very true.
My
dad hates it. He’ll walk in the room and one of my sisters is on the computer,
the other on her phone and mom is on her tablet. He, like many others, misses
the face-to-face interaction.
Over
the years there have been a few time I have thrown a party and close to no one
(or no one at all) shows up. I “sent out” Facebook invites and would invite 40
plus friends and only about 8 or less would show up. I do my best to make the
best of things but there has been a couple occasions I felt like no one cared
enough to come over. Some may consider me easily offended, and they would be
right. I am. But I’m also kind-hearted and sensitive… In today’s day sensitivity is a sign of
weakness and viewed in a negative way. But I don’t look at it like that.
When
I was planning my son’s 2nd birthday party I made everything! The
cupcakes, the decorations, I even sent out invitations in the mail. Our little
house was so full of family and friends we had to start telling people to step
outside. It was so much fun!
Now,
when I was planning 3 and 4 year old coming up birthday I didn’t go as elaborated
but I still had fun planning it. This time I did NOT send out invitations in
the mail. I just invited friends and family through Facebook and text
messaging. Other than a handful of people, no one came. Don’t get me wrong. It
was nice to talk to everyone… My parents and my sister-in-law and her family…
But I tried so hard to get people to come. Almost 30 people came to Sam’s 2nd
birthday party but only 7 came to Michael and Emily’s birthday. At that moment
of feeling like no one liked my family, I realized that people like the “face-to-face”
of getting an invitation in the mail. Makes sense, I like it too. So many
people, so many of our friends are involved in some form of social networking
but we would rather get in invitation in the mail then online. Why? It’s more convenient
to just click the mouse a few times and ta-da! You just invited 200 of your
closest friends. Whereas mailing invites takes time, energy and money. Could
that be why more people would come if they reserved an invite in the mail VS a
Facebook invite? Because we take the time to “say” you are important enough to
me, come to my party?
Sometimes
I think people don’t come to events they’ve been invited to because they see
your life online. Maybe they think that conversation would be boring or repetitive?
We are taking the “mystery” out of life with posting everything about our life
online. People know everything about us yet we want them to come over to talk.
Talk about what exactly? That sexy selfie you took that got 100 likes? Your
cute new kitty that’s been filling up your timeline? That embarrassing thing
your kid said at the store that you just had to share on Facebook? We share all
the highlights (and sometime the garbage) of our lives with friends, family and
even complete strangers online. Maybe it’s time to take a step (or two) back
and look at what you’re doing from a different perspective.
~
My
17 year old sister is like me in the way I want to be loved. We care about our friends
and family and want to spent time with them. Like me, she also gets hurt when
no one shows up to a planned party. The other night she planned a fun clothing
exchange. She made dinner and everything. No one came. Not even the friends who
RSVP’d yes. It saddened my heart to see her hurt by her friends. I’m sure some quickly
said yes without thinking or asking mom and dad who ended up saying “no”. Maybe
some who said yes, forgot or something “better” came up. I was 17 once and I
remember saying yes to things before asking my parents. But I always let my
friends know I couldn’t come.
We
all get so wrapped up in Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest we didn't even realized 2
hours (or 1 hour or 30 minutes) have gone by. Now my question is; what did you
accomplish within those 2 hours? Your butt was on the couch or in a computer
chair for 2 hours. Let that sink in. I’m sure you spoke your mind to a complete
stranger with a different opinion then yours. I’m sure you now have the perfect
wedding planned or the perfect way to decorate or organize your home. I’m sure
you laughed at all the funny memes from your favorite TV shows or movies. What about
all those fitness pins? Tried any yet? Or do you just keep adding to the board?
Just
so you know I am NOT pointing fingers. I do it to. But I’m tired of it. Aren’t
you? Sitting around wasting your summer by sitting on your butt pinning pins or
watching funny videos… Will this social networking craze calm down? I understand
doing it occasionally but all day? No one needs to be on their phone for hours and
hours just because their bored. Do something! Try that recipe that made your
mouth water when you saw the picture of it. Do a Pinterest craft. How about
some organizing? Or a new workout routine! It’s time to get some blood flowing
in your body and get that brain a thinkin’! Maybe then we would be more willing
to talk to our friends face-to-face. Once we start making an effort perhaps our
friends will start to do the same.
I’d
say it’s worth a shot! How about you?
Blessings,
Tiffany