Social media and me

My first taste of ‘putting myself out there’ so to speak, began with ‘My Space’, who remembers that? Of course we all know how long that lasted, although I’m lead to believe it has risen from the ashes.

Next along came Facebook, initially I found this great for sharing photos with family around the world. It was great for interacting with friends. It even helped me make contact with lost friends once ‘Friends reunited’ closed down.

Sadly over time Facebook has become political and what feels like a breeding ground for racism and hatred. People post stories that are clearly fake, it’s sad as its laughable. You only need to google a story to find the true facts. I cant believe how gullible anyone person can be.

Once the boys came along it became very apparent that some people thought I was posting too many pics of the boys, someone even said, “oh, another baby pic”. I would joke about the name daddy day care and even that was picked up on. In time I opened another fb account in the name Daddydaycare and linked it to my Instagram, so those who wanted to, could follow pics of the boys.

I have recently made the decision to close my old facebook account and start afresh, I decided to fill my social media, partly, with people I’ve never met, but care about me, rather than people I know personally, that dont.

It became quite apparent that people would unfollow you on facebook rather than have the decency to just unfriend. Sadly it seems some are family which is rather upsetting. You see, by starting afresh, those who wish to share your life experiences will friend request and jump on board, those who don’t, I wish them well.

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Now let’s talk Instagram, this form of social media has been a revelation for me. All of a sudden I am matched with people in similar roles, positions and lifestyles as myself.

My first picture on here was not long after Charlie was born and I tended to flirt with insta rather than date her … wow, that was clever writing, anyway, moving on. I would say I’ve become quite an avid user of this media over the past eighteen months.

I find it amazing, such a release for me. In a world where I see very few people these days, the interaction on here is phenomenal.

I have come across so many lovely people, I want to meet each and everyone but know that just wont happen. There is love and an overall sense of togetherness. Of course, like most things in life there comes the odd clitch, someone you may not get on with, but you lose them in the labyrinth of insta world and move on.

I find it strange sometimes when I hear people say, they are taking a break from Instagram, it’s taking them over. Now I do understand this, but as I’ve said to a few on here, make insta work for you, not you for insta. If you cant think of anything to write about or pictures to load up, then leave it, the world of social media will still be there tomorrow.

It’s more than a social media for me, it helps me with daily contact and interaction, above all, it offers me a means of help when I need to chat to someone, anyone.

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Things I dislike about Instagram, people who feel this need to follow your account just to unfollow days later, of course, hoping you wont notice. All I can say is, hey you people, get a life, it’s so sad to see. All for what, to grow their own numbers. Do you know the funniest thing, check some of these people, an account with 1000 follows will sometimes have more likes and interactions than a nobody with over 10,000.

I will always return a follow if the account looks safe, I feel if someone has taken an interest in me then I will respect that and do likewise. I dont agree with unfollowing because of no interaction. I’m sorry ‘Mr or Mrs, I have 10,000 follows and I only follow 1,000’, do you interact with each of those, no of course you dont!

I have realised there is a little circle of life floating around IG, you may talk with someone regular, they will go off radar, only to reappear some months later. Should I have deleted them for not showing interaction for a few months, no of course not.

Some may have noticed, I seldom if ever do a follow Friday, or what ever happens to be in main stream at that moment. Please may I say, it’s for any other reason than I am worried about upsetting someone by missing them off. I interact with a lot of people on here, too many to mention. Please don’t think me arrogant.

What I will do this week, is to put some of the accounts with under 1000 following up for a follow. Most of us know the numbers dont really matter, but it’s always nice to hit a milestone.

Yes, it’s up to you who you follow or dont follow, but please dont think you’re better than anyone else on here.

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Then of course there are my stories, oh my, I love the opportunity to be as daft as I want and not really care. If I make just one person smile and laugh, I am a happy man.

You see, I wouldn’t have dared do this on facebook in the past, for the fear of ridicule, but it just feels so right on IG. Let’s laugh, let’s enjoy this media, share happiness and support where needed.

I will continue to make a fool of myself with joking, dancing and singing, because guess what, it makes some people happy and maybe at times, i just love to play daft.

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Yes, I will of course, keep up my campaign for Mental Health Awareness. This is a great platform on which to reach out from. I have had my own dark times, so I can speak from experience.

In the past year, 5 people have visited and spoke to their GP because they have listened to me. I dont want praise for this, the fact these people have made that move, is all the thanks I need. Remember my friends keep talking.

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So I will continue this affair with Instagram, I will continue to use it for fun and help, both for me and the people I’ve come to call friends, it’s an honor 👍💙