The power of the 'like'

In a world where emotions are just as easily messed with through a screen as they are in person, we are oblivious to the effect that a simple click of a button may have one someone.

To 'like?' Or not to 'like?' - That is the question.

When we peruse our social media feeds we are inundated with the very happenings of everyone's days that we sometimes just don't care about... Or do we?

I'll admit it, I am a sucker for Facebook.

Sometimes I will find myself so lost in a world that I end up having to metaphorically 'check' myself, especially when I've found someone's friends' brothers best mates newborn baby photos wondering 'how on earth did I end up here?'

Call it 'Facebook stalking' or whatever you like - but admit it, we've all been there.

But what about when we post something that too will be included in someone else's news feed?

To us, it's special, important or very cool at the time. But to others, it's meaningless, irrelevant and plain old boring.

You can't possibly like everyone's photo or status - that's overkill.

But what about those people that you actually do know well enough that if they don't receive that simple 'like' on that rare photo you post, you automatically feel judged?

Maybe they didn't get to Facebook today - oh wait yes they did... They did just like your best friends' status.

Thanks mate.

Maybe you don't care who pays attention to it or not, but food for thought, why did you post it to begin with? Surely not to brag about how awesome your holiday was/is and how it would suck to be everyone else right now.

Sure, I'm guilty of posting photos of the new amazing gift I call my little man (sparingly compared to others). But it's almost always the same people that pay any attention to the photo. Mostly the new Mama's I've met throughout this journey, or the friends that truly are stoked to see said photo.

What people don't realise is, that when you see their name not appear on the 'people who like this' page, over and over again, you realise they probably just don't really care.

Am I doing the same to others and I don't even realise it?

Blogs are the same. I put my heart into these posts and it means the world when I see people 'liking' the effort I put in and I love reading the comments that sometimes appear. Maybe those who don't know blogging don't realise that we, the writer can see how many views our posts get, which is the best feeling to know that you have reached people. This is akin to the solid effort you've put in to that report at work and your boss saying "Great job, that was spot on!" Sometimes, that's all you need to hear.

I love others photos, blogs, even sometimes status updates. After all, that's why I am on social media, no? Granted it's not for everyone, but that post is something to someone.

I used to be an over-sharer on Facebook when I realised I don't particularly want all of the 121 people I'm friends with, some of which I barely see, looking at what I am doing. So I cut back. I now use Instagram, more so where I know the people who can see my special photos are those who really want to and don't just want to see what I am up to because it may be remotely interesting at 5:30pm whilst they are on the packed train on the way home from work.

Then there are the people who say 'I hate Facebook, I don't want everyone to know what I am up to'. They are often the same people who still are on Facebook, and as I like to call them 'Silent Assassins'. Secretly checking their news feed just as often as you, not showing any activity but judging oh so much. These are the people that you catch every now and then saying 'Oh I saw you were at the beach last week'... Welllllll, did you now?

We all love a bit of Facebook stalk, admit it!

This is the world we live in and the world our children will be born into. So be kind to one another. 'Like' that photo or status today, because it might just mean something to someone.

It's not about the number of 'likes' you receive, it's the meaning of seeing your name behind it. That could mean the world to someone else.

Photo credit:

http://www.the-gild.com/blog/banksy-lookalike-sums-ups-the-problem-with-kids-and-social-media

What day is it?

As I sit here typing this post feeding my little man whilst at the same time addressing envelopes for hubbys birthday party, I am wondering where exactly has the time has gone?

It's been a while inbetween posts and to be honest, I've written about four different posts - all sitting in the 'drafts' folder.

I've contemplated which one I should post next, whether it's too personal or plain boring, when in reality I've over-thought the very concept of 'blogging'.

Hang on...break to feed baby the next course before he loses it!

...Okay I am back. Where was I?

Oh yes, wondering why time has gotten away from me and why writing one blog post per week has become too much of an effort of late.

The reality is everything has become too much of an effort recently. I have taken on too much in terms of planning things and trying to schedule friend catch ups, that I've realised I've actually missed catching up with those I so badly miss!

There is no real excuse either. I am terrible at calling people back and responding to texts. Motherhood has made me even worse than I was before. You read a text message and think 'I'll get back to that once I've done this'. Wishful thinking.

So keeping it simple because now I have a screaming child, parenthood has changed my ability to focus, commit and manage time. Although my core is the same and I still have all the best intentions, I don't get to those little things that I plan to and that often mean the most.

To all those without children or those who forget what it's like to look after little ones - be kind to us. We mean well although we sometimes lose our marbles.
To those with kids, I'm just like you. I may appear organised and on top of things (or maybe I don't) but sometimes I just need to stop and take a breath.

Forgive this post as I haven't taken the time to edit it properly this evening.

Now... time to bath the little one, bedtime story and feed him, prepare and eat my own dinner and Oh! feed the crying dog at the back door!

One last thought...I'll never stop counting my lucky stars despite my exhaustion and excuses.