Do you suffer from social media fatigue?

 

Do you suffer from social media fatigue? It’s not a medical condition but the general feeling that keeping up with Facebook, Twitter, Google+, blogs, Pinterest, and others are too difficult. Managing several social media accounts while holding down a job and life can be taxing. Social media is a world of instant communication and demand. We can’t possibly keep up with the check-ins, pictures, internet memes, Words with Friends, internet news, and Twitter trends.

Social media fatigue is real. The number of people checking emails at home has dropped to 38% compared with 46 % last year. A survey completed recently this year consisting 19 to 26-year-olds living in China, Singapore, and the United States found that 50% of respondents felt keeping up with social media had a negative impact on their jobs or studies. Companies are acknowledging social media fatigue. Nestle’ even wants you to “take a break” with their Kit Kat app.

Recently, I started suffering from social media fatigue. I haven’t been keeping up with Facebook, Twitter, and blogging. The stress of ministry and a life sometimes force me to stop feeding into the demand of social media. Unfortunately, my blogging output takes a dive. The struggle with taking a break is losing interest of readers but sometimes you have to take a break.

How do you know you have social media fatigue?

As yourself: Do I resist checking Facebook? Do I dread replying to social media messages? Are people waiting days on you for a reply message? Do you have three or more social media accounts and feel like it is too much? If you answered yes, then you need a break.

Taking breaks or sabbath is a requirement in life. Just as our bodies need rest, our minds do too. From time to time we need a mental health day. A day where we disconnect from the craze of the world and focus on things that we love. Walking, reading, spending time with family, or going to a movie are all things that help us refocus.

Social media should be fun even though big business has infiltrated the social media world. With Facebook IPO’s looming, businesses will continue to industrialize social media. Don’t let social media industrialize you.

Remember: make social media fun and not a chore.