Social media has had irreversible impacts on the way we communicate, do business, and maintain relationships. Most have a love – hate relationship with it, but it has been embedded in social norms and business practices and is a primary method of communication for many users. 90 per cent of Canadians have at least one social media account, and 61 per cent engage on social media everyday, which leads to the questions, what does it mean to be the remaining 10 per cent?
Most people who don’t have social media today either never signed up, or have decided to disconnect. When the vast majority of the population is participating in this global communication network, how does (or should) the 10% ensure they’re not left out of the conversation? Understanding what purpose or value social media offers is the first step: social media takes on the responsibility for maintaining relationships, memories, current events and entertainment (and does it all in one place).
If you’re not on social media, you’ll be taking on the responsibility yourself to fill these needs with traditional communication methods. Something to consider is that many of your connections may have some of their social needs facilitated through social media; for you to be the instigator doesn’t mean the communication is unwanted, it just means that your communication methods differ.
How to stay connected without social media
Phone Calls
Despite all the modern advancements, there is no substitute for live dialogue. As humans we crave emotional connectedness and sometimes that can only be satisfied by hearing someone’s voice or seeing them in person.
Though not as personal as a phone call, sending a thoughtful email will not go unappreciated. Unlike public social media postings, an email allows you to ask your friend about what’s really going on in their life, genuinely congratulate them on a recent accomplishment, or advise them on a difficult situation that is best kept out of the critical public arena.
Save the Date
Why not schedule one “meeting” a week with a friend for a quick coffee or lunch? It can even be as simple as establishing a standing sushi dinner date with your girlfriends each month. A little balance will go a long way for your productivity in the end.
Storing Memories
When it comes to written memories, try using a journal instead. For photos, you can store them online using cloud services, or by using hardware devices like hard drives or USBs. If you want to go a little more old-school, print out your favourites and start a scrapbook or basic photo album.
Accessing news in one place
The fastest way to gather your news in one place is to set alerts on Google based on your interests. They’ll send you an email once a day gathering all the news related to your alert. The other method is a little more old school (and potentially more expensive) but you can also note which news sources you like the most and visit their websites every day or have their publication sent right to your door, if they have a print version.
Spending spare time
Social media is a great way to kill time and boredom. Scrolling through statuses, photos, and tweets is low-effort and easily accessible. However, there are dozens of other options to choose when it comes to killing time. Try out a new hobby, get some exercise, clean the house, meal prep for the week.
Making new contacts
While you may limit your reach by disconnecting from social media, you can still make those new connections offline. Try attending events and visiting places meant for socializing.
