As social media reshapes how we connect, it pays us to rethink what we need to feel fulfilled in our relationships, and realize that no amount of tweets, texts or Facebook status updates can provide it. Sure social networking is a great tool, but there’s a profound difference between an online social network and a real one and when it comes to friends, quantity doesn’t equal quality. “Like” if you agree.
Don’t get me wrong, I love Facebook. But sometimes it doesn’t surprise me that research has found that people are feeling lonelier and more disconnected than ever before as they crave friendship that goes deeper than the often-shallow exchanges and updates. Since moving back to Melbourne earlier this year after ten years in the U.S. I’ve used Facebook countless times to share my journey assimilating back into life Down Under. Fairdinkum. But despite having more Facebook friends than my fourteen-year-old son (no small feat I might add), my online social network doesn’t come remotely close to fulfilling my need for the real one I left behind in the U.S.
Of course I’m not sitting at home alone wallowing. I’ve been one busy beaver making new friends. I even remember some of their names. But making new friends takes time. Friendships are forged through shared history; through sharing what’s really going on in our lives; our heartaches and hurdles, setbacks and sorrows alike. Not just through sharing craftily edited and extremely witty (even if I do say so myself) status updates. Like. [Read more…]