I often post a list of all the things for which I’m thankful on Thanksgiving. But, in an effort to get back into the habit of daily blogging, I’ve decided to do a post a day for the month of November

10. Social Media

I have a love-hate relationship with social media.  I hate it because it sucks my life away.  In order to have a presence there, you must be a presence there.  So, when I could be doing a million other things, I have to be present.

I love it because I have made so many incredible friends through social media (including meeting my husband in a long ago pioneer form of social media called an AOL chat room).  I also know that I know that if it weren’t for social media, this blog and my writing career would only have a fraction of the success they’ve had.

So, it’s a blessing and a curse to have a social media presence.

When I get overwhelmed with life, I start resenting it and the time it takes to “do it” right.  But, I’ve learned in the last year that if I have to pull away for a couple of days, then I do.  I almost always pull away during election time, because I can’t stand politics and hatred and social media is filled with both.

I have started to find a good balance, scheduling specific times to be online, using a tool like Hootsuite to schedule social media presence when I may not actually be there, and training myself not to get sucked into time wasters that aren’t productive.  And as I’ve gained these skills and disciplines, I hate it a little less and enjoy it a little more.

But, I am thankful for the people I’ve found through social media: either other authors, other bloggers, friends, fans, distant family — THAT is the blessing of the platforms.  And because of that blessing, and despite my love/hate relationship, I am thankful for social media.

Hallee

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