Back in the late 1900s (aka the 90s), life was very different. We barely had cell phones, and social media simply didn’t exist. My first memory of anything resembling social media was Friendster, but, honestly, it was far from great. Then came MySpace, which was fun; I enjoyed connecting with people around the world.
When Facebook came along, I hesitated because I worried about being too exposed to negativity directed at people like me. Though it took some time, I eventually joined and survived the experience. Later, I hopped on Instagram, followed by TikTok.
It’s hard to picture now, but life before social media was very different. Back then, I was much younger and heavily into in-person socializing—a true social butterfly. Over time, though, everything changed. People changed, norms shifted, and then came Covid. The pandemic took a toll on in-person interactions, so I leaned heavily on Instagram to stay connected. Facebook became my go-to for keeping in touch with family back in the Philippines.
These days, with all the chaos surrounding social platforms and governance, it feels like we’re collectively drained. Logging off seems like it might be a good idea. I’m not sure which platform I’ll stick with next, but for now, I’m keeping it simple. A personal website, Bluesky, and YouTube for online presence; Instagram and Facebook for occasional use; LinkedIn strictly for work. Otherwise, I’m relying on something many of us have forgotten—old-school email, texting, and in-person activities.
See you out there in the real world!
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