Hangovers, expectation or otherwise, might do well to seek a little quiet, non-Twitter time.
Photo: vramak
Have you experienced “expectation hangover®” (yes, it is trademarked) yet?
Well, if you are in your mid-20s, actually have a job (or don’t have one), which you attempt to balance with a social/family life, you are probably suffering from it. At least according to writer Christine Hassler.
Much like the vomit that you were trying your best to hold down the morning after a couple of neon-colored drinks followed by a six-pack of the Beast, the EH is basically a “group of undesirable feelings that arise when a desired result isn’t met.”
In other words, it’s the job you kinda hate, the relationship that isn’t living up to the dream, the trips you aren’t taking. As a life coach, Hassler prompts people to do everything from suck it up, lower your expectations, or start looking elsewhere.
Well, it looks like meditation might be providing the “elsewhere.”
According to a recent Boston Globe article, the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA is pulling in the 20s-crowd like they were serving free microbrews and tapas. Week long silent meditation retreats are apparently all the rage as a way to step away from the cell phones, the iPods, and the status updates, among other things (like, you know – work):
At a time when homework or job pressures and the likes of Facebook and Twitter compete for attention throughout the day, meditation groups say an increasing number of young adults are signing up for retreats and classes, seeking a temporary escape, a haven to reconnect with their thoughts.
Wait, that means no iPhone? Even on vibrate?
Technology as Soul-Suckage
The interesting thing is, I don’t believe we think often enough about the implications of all the “fun” and seemingly “connective” technology in our life – how the faster this technology gets, the more it takes us outside of ourselves. Social media becomes work, something we do into the wee-hours of the night, and our sleep – and soul – suffers in the process.
In the Globe article, one of the retreat leaders, Rebecca Bradshaw, notes:
Young people are much more stressed out than people 20, 30 years ago…we have a fast-paced and alienating culture.
Sure, it’s kind of mind-boggling to read the news online, write about it on your blog, tweet it, link it on Facebook, check Twitter and Facebook, where you come across other articles and other blogs which are undyingly stimulating, and then start the whole process over again. Oh, and get that report to your boss by 1pm (side gig, of course).
I have no doubt that our ever increasing fast-paced world is why so many of us are drawn to outer travel. It promotes reconnection, both with others and ourselves.
What about our inner travel? It needs backup too, and on a daily basis.
But how is this reconnection being affected by having a laptop with us wherever we go, and updating our statuses anywhere from our wedding “I do” to tweeting from the ends of the Earth? And what about our inner travel? It needs backup too, and on a daily basis, because most of us aren’t able to constantly move from place to place.
So, hmmm, possibly the expectation hangover (yes, yes, TM) can be cured less from a “suck it up” perspective and more from a “disconnect from that which disconnects you” perspective. On that note, I’m shutting down the computer to sit for a while, and will attempt to “let go” of any humorous status updates running through my brain.
Do you think that social media impacts your overall well-being? Share your thoughts below.
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10 Comments... join the discussion!
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I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that social networking has become a chore. I hate twitter and don’t even know most of the people I twitter, but I do it because it’s such an excellent self-marketing tool.
Sometimes I think that before twitter, facebook and blogging took over my life, I read a lot more. I experienced things more freely and openly without catching myself thinking “Wow, this will make an excellent facebook message” or “I can’t wait to blog about this when I get home”. It’s sad…
But thanks for sharing that “I Do” youtube video…It was great. So great in fact, that I couldn’t resist facebooking and twittering it. Ha.
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I definitely agree with Daniel – it’s good and bad, and it’s important to know when to “unplug”!
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My God Yes! I must be careful because the internet/social media is an insatiable beast! One must know when to put it down, after all it isn’t going anywhere! But sometimes it does feel like I will miss something if I log off.
Really I am at risk of missing everything if I don’t!
I choose 2 days a week where I do not answer emails, blog, update or give a flying bag of poo about the whole thing. I clean, read, exercise, cook for friends and take a walk. I plug into the other social network, the one that has always been with me and keeps me going; my family, friends and the city.
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Ahem.
So, some psychojournalist TM* has taken the situation that we have known for centuries as “dissapointment”, and given it a funky new name. Meanwhile, another guy is advertising a form of relaxation and self-discovery that has been around for millenia. And everyone is wasting their time messing around on facebook. So, to avoid dissapointment, don’t waste your time on facebook, but do something useful and self-fulfilling, like meditate. I don’t disagree with any of this, I’m just missing the whole “hot-off-the-press” thing. We know this, and no amount of digitally enhanced pictures of ripped black guys meditating is going to make us forget that fact! Please, I hate to be like this, but really, lets have something newsworthy!
I was looking forward to reading this article, but now I’ve had an expectation-binge (TM), and I feel like someones excitement-spiked (TM) my drink.
Again. Sorry.
*Having come up with an interesting word, I will now trademark it. Wonderful.
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Sorry to disappoint, Adam, but the point is that it is really simple – and yet we keep missing the point.
But you made my point perfectly with your need for something “hot-off-the-press” and “newsworthy.”
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Been a constant struggle for me. It really does get overwhelming and is similar to a very unhealthy drug. I really need something new in my life. I gotta stop living the same realities over and over and over…
Thanks for posting the article, I believe that its VERY relevant to our western society and ways of living. I’m ready to live a new life. Beginnings.
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Good grief I have to constantly remind myself to dedicate more time to my real friends and family, I feel like I’m actually living a double life.
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amen, adam!
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Yes, I think keeping a balance is the most important.
I decided not to use twitter as I thought it was a step too far, although I may be missing out on a good marketing tool. I also leave the internet behind on holidays etc.
I think social networking can get in the way of thought, reading and writing if you let it, but it can also inspire creativity and get your thoughts out on a good day; as well as being a good way to meet great people.
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