Welcome back to Finish The Sentence Friday Blog Hop (FTSF). We give you a sentence and you finish it (however long or short you’d like).
“You know what I think of social media? I think…”
Next week’s sentence to finish: ”I tried to cook…”
You want to know what I think of social media? I think…I am addicted. It started quite innocently with joining Facebook when I was pregnant with Emma. I was only on there to connect with family and friends. I never even belonged to MySpace and had been vehemently against it having been a teacher. This kind of activity was frowned upon, because you didn’t want your students and their parents to know about you outside of school or your personal life.
Facebook Addiction!!!
But lo and behold, I caved with Facebook back in 2009. I truly just wanted to share this special time of my life with my first pregnancy. Little did I know what was in store for me.
I was good though for so long. It was just family and friends that I connected with on Facebook. Through the first year of Emma’s life to my subsequent pregnancy with Lily to her first year of her life, too I managed to stay focused online.
Then, I started to collect Pandora charms. That, too, began innocently enough with Kevin doing something nice for our five year wedding anniversary. I began out with four charms and a starter bracelet. One day, I googled more about Pandora and charms to come across a Facebook group that bought, sold and traded these charms. Again, it was just a passing fancy that soon turned into a small obsession. One group turned into two and then three. Soon enough I belonged to about 10 of these groups, had attended a Pandora Party in NYC and had even gotten in Trollbeads, which was another charm company.
Charms, Charms and Oh My!!!–Got Addicted on Social Media to This, too!!
I was in deep. Not even sure exactly how I got out of that mess, but it was about this time I began to write for Hubpages and sharing about my charm collection. I think that helped me quite a bit, because writing these articles (actually writing period) left me little time to obsess over these charms.
However with Hubpages came the need for more exposure on social media. First it was more Facebook time, but pretty soon I opened a Twitter account. I had no idea what I was doing on Twitter, but still joined (I still have my ‘duh’ moments on here, but have learned a ton in such a short time).
As the summer drew to a close, I began to blog personally. Well now, I not only was on Facebook and Twitter, but I had to add Google + and Pinterest, too. LinkedIn and even BlogLovin’ followed, as well.
Not a day has gone by that I haven’t not checked in multiple times on all these different forums in recent times. The only such time that I didn’t was during Hurricane Sandy, when I didn’t have power. And that truly was the longest two days of my life.
Yes, I Love & Am Addicted to Pinterest, too!!
I am not sure how I lived without the internet and these sites in particular. I was just talking about Pinterest today with my cousin and she was saying how addicted she is. I told her that was truly nothing, because I am not only addicted to Pinterest, but most of the popular social media sites. She thought I was joking, but I assured her I wasn’t.
So what do you think? Are you too obsessed or know someone that is? It is just me? Do you think there is a 12 Step Program for this? Because if there is, I believe I more than qualify for this one!!
Now tell me, in the comments, about times when you were indeed frustrated (you’re in good company as you can see from above). Or write a post and link it up! And be sure to share my story with all your FB and Twitter friends. We’ll also be featuring some of our favorites on Twitter with the Hashtag #FTSF and our Facebook pages too, so make sure to follow. Don’t forget to grab a button and put it somewhere people will see. We’d are hoping to keep this hop going strong and continue this for a long time to come!
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WilyGuy says
Oh, that is quite an addiction. I know what you mean, when I started blogging I wanted to be heard and joined twitter. Now, I'm loaded up and I can't keep trackof it all. Good luck with it!
WG
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks WilyGuy and I am trying to be good, but man is it hard when it is so readily at your fingertips even with my iPhone. And blogging truly added a new layer to it!!
Bill says
This Thursday night thing is throwing me off. 🙂 Social media….is a detriment to honest face-to-face conversation. Have a great weekend Janine!
Janine Huldie says
Sorry Bill, but on Thursdays, I have two posts, but technically this one (the second) is my Friday one too if that helps!! 🙂
Eddy Jones says
I have had to decide which sites were the most important to me and have altered my links so!!! I couldn't be without it for the world anymore but can only cope with so much!!A great share again Janine and have a wonderfuld ay.
Eddy.
Janine Huldie says
I hear you Eddy and I have tried my best on this, but FB particularly has a way of sucking me right in, lol!! Hope you too are having a wonderful day!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh same here KElly and couldn't agree with you more!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Melanie, trust me I am with you on the pressure of it all and then I can't help but wonder how I ever lived with out it in the next breathe. Seriously, it is a love/hate relationship!!
Dana says
I feel your pain, Janine. I have no answers, but it is comforting to know that others struggle with social media addiction too. And now I know who to ask if I have questions – I'm sure you are quite the expert!
Janine Huldie says
Dana, you totally aren't alone and I thank you for making me feel a bit better about my addiction, lol!! 🙂
Dani Ryan says
My name is Dani, and I'm a Social Media addict. 😉
Janine Huldie says
Dani, shake my hand and welcome to the club, lol!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
hink we will be in very good company, lol!! 🙂
tamgraver says
I think I might die if I didn't have Facebook to occupy my time…LOL…Because every one I know cares that I went to the gym last night. Seriously, my husband and I can't get through dinner without consulting the smartphone for something.
Janine Huldie says
I always have my phone in arms reach and can so relate!! 🙂
Cyndi says
Happy Friday! Fun post and it's interesting how we got our start with this stuff, huh? I hope you have a wonderful day and fun post to read. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Thanks Cyndi and I know all interesting stories how we began this journey!!!
Emily Cappo says
Yes, I'm addicted too and need that 12-step program and my husband will gladly enroll me. I tell him I NEED to be on social media all day long, but he doesn't get it. I'm glad you do!
Janine Huldie says
Oh I totally get it Emily and will meet you at those meetings, lol!! 🙂
Stephanie Sprenger says
Yep, I hear you! I am about to take the Pinterest plunge, too, I think, and I am scared to death of getting addicted!!!
Janine Huldie says
Stephanie if you do become addicted to Pinterest (which it is really easy to), you are truly in good company with me!! 🙂
Christy Birmingham says
I do like social media too. I love the people I meet and chatting with friends like you (on FB in particular!). Oh and it's soooo easy to lose track of time on Pinterest too. Great post!
Janine Huldie says
Thanks and I agree I love losing track of time talking to you and others on there, too!! 🙂
Lanaya @ Raising Rea says
I love Twitter {although I will admit that I am sad that I just randomly followed people in the beginning because now my twitter feed is full of garbage.}
Thank god for the lists!
Facebook is annoying. It used to be great, then they went public and now it sucks!
I'm still learning some of the others but overall I think that social media is fun and exciting!
¤´¨)
¸.•*´
(¸¤ Lanaya | xoxo http://www.raising-reagan.com
Janine Huldie says
As much as I think Facebook sold out, I still can't help, but love being on there, probably it was my first social network, but I do love Twitter too just sometimes goes a bit fast for me. And as for the rest, I am still learning with you, too!! xoxo 🙂
Joan Veronica Robert says
Well, this was a good, good post, Janine, I enjoyed it so much! But the comments, they are something else! I was greatly taken with expressions like "relieve boredom" and the like! I just never have time! So I visit in snatches! I don't think I'm addicted (yet) so far I have managed to give preference to my daily plan as planned. Will this last? I really can't tell! Enjoy the Social sites while you can!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thank you so much Joan and wish I could visit in snatches, but I honestly just can't help myself!! 🙂
Maggie Amada says
I have to admit that I, too, am addicted to social media. My husband will tell you I probably spend more time on social media sites than I do with him, to his great chagrin. I've responded by trying to get him addicted, too, so we can share. He's wiser than me for social stuff, so we'll see how it goes.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Maggie. My husband would say the same about me, too and he also has no use for social media. So, I am in this one alone!!
Kera says
I'm kinda addicted too! I linked up my post today to FTSF 🙂 I wanted to write today, and I also wanted to support your linky, so I did! It was fun. I remember when Facebook was so new, and only certain colleges had access to it…before the whole world had access lol. It was 2004 and I was in my freshman spring semester of college! So weird to think back on how it was then compared to now. I'd have to say my favorite social media is Instagram, followed by Pinterest. And having a phone with all the apps make it even more addicting. Ugh!
Janine Huldie says
Kera, I won't even tell you that when I was in college all we had was AOL and dialup. Shh…totally dating myself, lol!! But seriously, I love Pinterest and still haven't gotten the hang of Instagram and need some crash courses or something, lol!! Thank you also for linking up and heading to you now!! 🙂
ruchira says
I agree Janine. I came on to FB to meet my school friends but, then I started to lose interest until I met you all. My HP friends and then the journey of sharing/pimping each other's hubs started. Now the blogging journey has made me hop onto this site now and then.
It sure has a been a wonderful journey so far 🙂
voted for ya!
Janine Huldie says
Oh I hear you Ruchira on it being a wonderful journey so far and can't help, but enjoy myself, too!! 🙂
Amy Perdew says
Too addicted. I feel lost or something is missing if I don't get my internet fix. Sometimes, I just can't think straight and have to step away from the computer. Now I do wish I could get everything accomplished faster, then I'd be in business. 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Oh I am so with you Amy on wishing to get things done quicker, but I do get sidetracked easily and my social networking addiction doesn't help at times either!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Clark. I can honestly say so true about not being happy to have have the internet for my social media fix over the lights!! I think there is definitely a place for us all on this one and admitting it is the first step!! Seriously thanks for sharing and letting me know it isn't just me 🙂 🙂
Kenya Johnson says
Wow groups for Pandora charms. That IS deep! Somehow I think because I look at Facebook and stuff from my cellphone that doesn't count. LOL! I have been known to waste too much time looking at Pinterest when all I was doing was going in for a recipe on one of my boards. Dinner could have been have done by the time I get come up for air.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, Kenya. Believe me I know I was in deep and my Paypal truly had money coming in and going out just as fast!! Totally crazy. At least now, more is coming in then going out and I have forced myself not to look at Pandora or charms!! But Pinterest and recipes are so addictive and can totally agree by the time I look up something, dinner could have been on the table, eaten and cleaned up, too!!
SkyWaitress says
If there is a social media anonymous group sign me up because I am totally addicted.
Janine Huldie says
Lol, I will totally see you there!! 🙂
Janine Huldie says
No excuses totally and glad to know it isn't just me Heather with FB groups!! I actually had to go through recently and get rid of a few, because I was just in to many and some I never really go to anymore.
Rachel Demas says
There are now too many! That just adds to the addiction…Every week, I read a lot of the posts from this hop. I always love seeing the different perspectives. I wish I could join in, but I'm TERRIBLE at writing from prompts. I just can't do it. But I'm happy to read what everyone else writes…
Janine Huldie says
Oh I agree about the amount of them now and everyday it seems something new crops up. Rachel, thank you seriously for reading our linked posts and if you ever feel like you want to try your hand, please feel free, we seriously are not picky and will read whatever you got!! 🙂 🙂
Kristi Campbell says
Gosh, you do sound a little addicted. I hear you though. I get really addicted to Facebook and Twitter. Google+ isn't a big obsession of mine (yet) and I don't use Hubpages at all. Love your charms though!
Janine Huldie says
Oh thanks Kristi and am definitely a bit more obsessed on Facebook and Twitter than the rest, but I am sure if I learned them a bit could find myself addicted to them as well, lol!!