You might have noticed I haven’t been on twitter much lately. Or maybe not. I certainly haven’t posted here but THAT’S not unusual. But I don’t expect to my twitter time to increase in the future either. Don’t get me wrong. I love twitter. I love the ease of receiving information. I love the glimpse into lives that would otherwise remain a total mystery. But. But. There are just as many reasons to limit my time over there:
- It’s much too easy to log in just to vent. Someone irritates me? Bam – instant audience to commiserate with me. And while the support is appreciated, 99.9% of the time whatever I’m fussing about is trivial and not worth any more of my attention. I certainly don’t need to feed that irritation by sharing and then further discussing it. Not to mention, everyone following me doesn’t need that kind of extra negativity in their lives.
- When online communities have my focused attention, IRL relationships and responsibilities suffer. I tend to communicate with people that are not truly part of my life and I am so distracted that productivity suffers at work and at home. (The irony that I’m writing this at work is not lost on me. So. Moving on.) It’s FUN. But it’s not necessarily where I need to be committing time and energy. It’s too easy to get overwhelmed by all the potential friendships and worthwhile communities and activities. It’s for this reason that I’ve started avoiding message boards and forums. I just don’t have the time or energy to support multiple online communities and relationships. (My sisters at heart are IRL relationships no matter where they’re currently located)
- Speaking of time…I started classes last week at BSU. I’m only taking six hours – one class online and one in person – but it’s an adjustment. I commented yesterday that I was impressed with people who work full time and take a full class load because just six hours is such a change in time management for me. It wasn’t a complaint, just a comment that followed me saying I was glad to be in classes and enjoying them. But someone listening in was quick to point out how she had worked four jobs while going to school full time and parenting a two year old. I know. I get it. I’ve got it EASY. I’m spoiled. I only work 40 hours at a low key job that I love. I’m only taking six hours. My kids are older and I have the full support of my husband. But I still have to re-examine how and where my time is spent. And if something has to be cut, online will be the first thing to go.
Bottom line is that I have my priorities: (1) time spent with God (2) time spent with & serving my family (3/4/5) school/(real) friends/peer counseling people (interchangeable depending on need, deadlines, etc), everything else – working out, reading, piano, etc…and way way down at the bottom of that list is online participation. Hey – I’ll always respond to texts!
