The internet makes me so tired. I know that doesn’t make a lot of sense since I make a living online, but it does. It makes me so, so tired. Exhausted even.
The constant, constant, constant hyper-negative political commentary that results in comment wars and name-calling among friends and strangers. This election is really important, but I have to wonder whether Facebook (or Twitter, etc.) is the right platform for political “conversations.” (I’ve hardly seen one that could be rightfully be labeled a respectable conversation.) Is anyone actually hearing another person’s opinion? Is anyone changing his mind? Is anything good coming from all of this or are we really just polarizing one another?
Then, 49 precious humans were slaughtered, another 53 severely injured, and everyone else left profoundly traumatized on Sunday because one man decided that his ideology was more important than human life. And now, there are mamas without babies and sisters without brothers and people who have lost the person they loved most–and there’s no time to grieve, to mourn, to cry. No, it’s right on to pushing agendas and more political commentary and slinging mud at those in the opposing camp. Surely there is a larger conversation to be had here, but what about gracing hurting families with the time and space to grieve in peace?
Then, there’s the lighter stuff. The blogs, the YouTube videos, the world I live in. This exhausts me too. Because when everyone thinks they know everything about everyone, there’s no room for grace, no room for “I probably don’t know the whole story,” no room for appreciating a different life walk or perspective–there’s no compassion. No empathy. No kindness. Just more ugly comments and more fuel on the fire.
The whole internet seems to be simultaneously walking on eggshells and throwing grenades. It makes for a crazy, confusing, exhausting place. This kind of constant social interaction with strangers all over the world is available to us for the first time in human history. We’re all fumbling through it, no one’s doing it “right.” I wrestle daily with online interaction. And it’s exhausting, isn’t it?
This post has no grand conclusion or powerful call to action, except to say that compassion and kindness are a known healing salve for our broken, hurting world. Sometimes quieting our opinions and reactions online for the sake of both is a beautiful thing.
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Amen Blair! Couldn’t agree with you more. I had to get rid of my Facebook because all of that noise was driving me crazy. Keep up the good work on here too.
Thanks for your comment. It’s tough. I’ve had to pull way back and have fantasized about deleting Facebook and Twitter altogether, though that’s not a viable option right now for me as a blogger. I applaud you for pulling the trigger and getting offline! Thanks for reading!
This is what I’ve been deeply pondering the past few days, and I am so glad you molded many peoples thoughts into beautiful words. We love your content, so at least there’s that beauty on the Internet 😉 thanks for being a positive source in a usually negative online atmosphere.
Wow, thank you Alyssa! 🙂 As far as getting offline, sometimes it helps to delete the social media apps from your phone and/or bookmarks tab, just so they’re less visible. (If getting offline altogether isn’t appealing or an option for you!) I’m really trying to pull back this summer to recharge. Thanks for reading and for your encouragement!
YES. My thoughts exactly! The Internet is crazy. It’s so encouraging to read the same opinion on this. Thanks for writing. 🙂
Thanks for reading, Elizabeth. I find such encouragement in people like you–the kind, thoughtful ones! Thank you for being you!
I completely agree. Alyssa took the words out of my mouth; although it can be discouraging to be online, especially when it is part of what you do for a living, you are part of a bigger purpose and are bringing joy and encouragement in a field where it is lacking. Thank you for that!!
Thank you so much, Olivia.
THIS. With the whole Orlando thing this past week, my “internet-handle-ability’ officially went kaput. I can’t stand all of the noise and clamor and opinions and SHOUTING. I deleted Facebook from my phone a few weeks ago and it’s the best thing I have done in months. I’m scaling WAY back on electronics and taking in reading, quietness, walks, and trying to recharge my spirit.
Sharon, I understand what you mean. Unfortunately the online “noise” is often numbing, which is the antithesis of what we all need during tragedy. I tend to be more sober-minded and compassionate when I spend more time offline; it’s encouraging to hear that you’ve experienced the same thing. Thank you for reading and for your comment.
Blair that was really powerful and very eloquently put. A pleasure to read!
Thank you, Catherine.
Thanks so much for putting it into words! And it isn’t just the internet that drains me. Everywhere I turn there is a TV set to a news channel, or a talk show or someone else giving their opinion on something. Yet, like you, I’ve been blessed with a need to turn all that noise off. I have found the struggle to disconnect from the constant barrage of information to be so worth it. In doing so God allows me to more deeply participate in His work. During the last twelve days on a military hospital base, instead of being on Facebook or watching news, I’ve had time to sit more quietly with Him. He has granted me time to listen to the tearful pain of a woman struggling to comprehend that her husband has stage 4 cancer. To gently tease a wounded warrior, a young man whose name I don’t even know. To make pots and pots of coffee for the residents of the Fisher House where we are staying, to do dishes and cook a simple lunch for residents. This morning God blessed me by letting a simple text bless a friend struggling with her son’s cancer. Oh, Blair, I long for more people to learn that there is so much good we can do in this crazy world when we choose not to indluge in society’s war of words. Thank you again for writing this!
Thank you for reading! It’s so cool to see how you’ve been able to bless others as you’ve disconnected from the chaos! 🙂