Social Media Energizes Me

What draws you to use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, or whatever other sites you frequent?

That’s a question that I have pondered many times, especially as a social media tutor with a focus on the Baby Boomers generation.

I don’t profess to be a social media expert. What I prefer to call myself is a social media enthusiast.

How would you describe your relationship with social media?

There are countless reasons why people use social media.

Yet, I suspect that there is a common thread about social media users – they are energized by their time on social media.

Like me, they may find themselves coming home from work feeling worn out. Dinner is over. Dishes are done. Now what?

Sometimes after I do my daily crossword, I start to doze off in the chair, and it isn’t even 7 p.m.!

Then I remember I can swing over to my computer and get energized by my social media sites.

There are so many options for how to use our free time – our favorite TV show, a fascinating book, a game with our children or grandchildren, going for a walk or working out at the gym. The list goes on and on.

I am grateful that social media is now among these options, and I know millions of other people feel the same way.

To me, using social media opens up my world in absolutely amazing ways.

Here is a quick smattering of what I found via social media tonight:

• Via @HuffPost50 on Twitter, an important set of warnings for the 50 and up age group about working out. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/10/exercise-mistakes_n_2080901.html?ncid=edlinkusaolp00000003#
• An uplifting quote on Facebook via a page I follow called Positive Inspirational Quotes https://www.facebook.com/events/471511229552369/permalink/486716734698485/#!/PositiveInspirationalQuotes
• Through my LinkedIn newsfeed, a great article by Rivka Caroline on how to be more organized http://sheownsit.com/simple-habits-of-remarkably-efficient-people/
• A beautiful photo on Pinterest of a place in Australia called Sorrento Back Beach, about 1 ½ hours south of Melbourne – looks that is going on my list of places to visit when I go to Australia http://pinterest.com/pin/94786767129654693/

Granted, a person could easily spend WAY too much time on social media.

I think it important to read those books, take those walks, and spend time with those we love.

Social media shouldn’t take the place of all our other interests, hobbies and responsibilities.

Yet, aren’t we blessed to have social media among the options to help us get energized?

How does spending time on social media make you feel?

Joyce Feustel, Founder of Boomers’ Social Media Tutor, helps people relatively new to social media to become more effective and comfortable in their use of this medium.  Find her at www.boomerssocialmediatutor.com