I haven’t written anything here for almost two years. I used to really love planning out future blog topics and doing the research and writing, but I’m now out of the habit. I think Facebook played a big part in breaking my blogging routine. While I was being a regular Facebooker, there was no real reason to share bits of my life here – it was all over there for everyone to see.
Since finishing up on the Community Board last October, I’ve used Facebook only as needed to communicate and keep up with community activities. I have just become less interested and not really engaged with social media in general in the last couple of years. Why?
When social media was young, I marvelled at the fact I could chat with people anywhere in the world – I had friends all over the place, and was able to keep in touch with family overseas. In the last couple of years I have more of a desire for analogue relationships. Is it related to the pandemic? It happened around the same time. Correlated rather than causal I think.
At the same time as the pandemic, my life shifted subtly. I hardly noticed it at the time, but I feel different – I am in a new life stage. My children are both over thirty, married with kids. My stepdaughter finished her degree and moved out. My grandkids aren’t little anymore. Stephen and I are settled in our jobs, our routines – much more focussed on each other and making ourselves happy. I have no big stressors in my life at the moment – it’s allowed me to relax and enjoy myself.
Part of that shift for me was becoming more politically active and getting involved in knitting and crafting. These activities have given me new things to focus on and put my energy into, and new people to connect with. In my 20s and 30s I was lonelier. I spent a lot of time alone or with my kids at home. Friendships and connecting with people wasn’t as easy when I had limited funds and kids at home. My (local, in-person) world has massively expanded in the last few years so I feel little need to entertain myself with Facebook, Instagram or Twitter (let’s not even discuss that dumpster fire).
I was reflecting last evening while sitting with some pals at my local knit night how lovely it is to find like-minded people that I can relax and be myself with. We often sit in companionable quiet and just knit. And then sometimes there is a lot to say and it’s loud and busy. I just love it.
More on knitting next time.
The Secret Life of Bebe 