When social media is at peak, I chose to get off it.

When social media is at peak, I have chosen to get off from it. Must be something crazy to do. Well I began social when at least people in my family or known circle weren’t active for creating content. They hardly would have considered it to be of their expression. In 2013, I began my YouTube channel to post videos to spread awareness of education for all, as I was working with NGO in Ahmedabad. It was then very new but I was too comfortable to use it as a tool to express what I feel. Even before this I started a design studio under the name ‘Skydoers consulting’ and later ‘Khadee shrutee’ my very own khadi clothing label back in 2010-ish. I am sure it did good to me then and now as well.

With the kind of work I did on Instagram lately with 700 followers it might look strange to give that up. It was strange for me too. I will take time here and take you close to this choice I have made. I had spent great amount of time, mediating, reading, and designing, creating one post that said the world out in just 2-3 lines. But only a few could attempt to like, and none to comment. I did not bother about it much after I discovered my purpose to use Instagram. I was clear that it is only to express and let the vibe go out as to who I want to be. I am so grateful to 2-3 people who encouraged me on each of my post.

The people who are backed by family and friends for what they do, reach greater heights and strangers see it being appreciated and hence they join the community that you wish to creat as they find it is trusted. But when your very own family and so called friends do not share or value what you do on social and in return expect you to promote, it becomes killing of time and you feel so devastated. Of course I felt bad or uncomfortable when I noticed people I know looked at my post or what I created in my story and just passed by; to make myself feel better, I ‘l would say to myself, may be they are not yet at the place to be able to understand spiritual and mindful content I created.

So then these thought bubbles put me to rediscovering and going on detox to cleanse from the negative effects of social media on my self-confidence.

I later worked harder purposefully to just make good content that I believe in. In social, people say create content that audience wants to read or watch; even if it is a nonsense, mockery or fundamentally inappropriate content like using children to get insta fame, mocking people, making fun of the miserable, vulgarity and so on. And that disconnected me to an extend that I discovered that spending this much time going nowhere was not for me.

For those who are under the influence of the millions of followers might feel I am jealous, well sure, I too thought so earlier but my friends it is much beyond it. I was so disconnected that I could not stand some content which make no sense to me to be just watched as a center to entertainment. It just did not work. And on top of that when actually researched about the profiles that make your number to a million, were totally of the mindset I do not come from.

I swear, it was one video where a father is recording his child imitating the song on tv and when the hero jump to catch the rope, the child too jumped but on what? she jumped on tv and the tv fell off from the table with the child. So is this the kind of entertainment I am up for? well certainly not. Though, I know many who aren’t impacted much by what is been put up on social which is great for them that they are able to balance and carry their peace of mind. But for me it certainly impacted my space.

And so here I am back to the old school of blogging. But I am glad, I am back to the real job/ real work and making difference by staying low key. If ever I want to celebrate I will have my family or people who really care to find a way to reach me.

I came up with this analogy if you would like to relate; Instagram and Facebook are like you stand on the cross roads and wave at people passing by (likes and comments) and you think you are talk of the town.. and being person of quality (off social) is like staying home or wherever and real folks would knock your door or mail you when they need. The illusion helps you to gain confidence but too much of it, also if you are trapped into this, it will be a damage where you will realise that your confidence was dependent of an elusive wall and it had to break.

I got new connections and re connections with real people on social but looks like a high maintenance for me. I cherish all the moments and will always be grateful to what I got from it. However My station has come and I need to get down the train. If it must, you surely would see me back on social and if it is not meant for me still then you know you can reach me here.

-Shruti Nagar Dave

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