Happy 2024!
I am not sure about you but 2023 flew by and sometimes I can’t explain where all the time went. All I know is that so much has happened and so much has changed. Some for the good and some for the bad.
As much as I would like to share all the stories about my life, I think it’s time to chat about something that’s been on my mind lately due to the articles that’s been popping up in my newsfeed. The decline usage of mainstream social media and our journey back to basics in online sharing.
Are you feeling the fatigue of being on social media and the challenges of posting to keep up with the Joneses, well you’re not alone. Even Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, admitted that users have moved on to direct messages, closed communities, and group chats. Regularly posting content is now largely confined to content creators and influencers, while non-creators are moving toward sharing bits of their lives behind private accounts.
If you’re like me, can you remember the days of Myspace and the early Facebook era? There was an innocence to it all – we were just thrilled to connect with old friends and share snippets of our lives. Somewhere along the line, though, things changed. Social media became less about connection and more about, well, everything else: influence, algorithms, and an unspoken pressure to maintain an image for a vast audience we don’t even know.
But here’s the good news: as social media giants lose their luster, we’re seeing a return to authentic online sharing. And guess what? You don’t need a big audience for it.
The Joy of Sharing for Sharing’s Sake
There’s something liberating about sharing your thoughts, experiences, or creativity without the pressure of a big audience. It’s like keeping a diary that your closest friends have a key to. You’re not performing; you’re just being you. And that authenticity is what draws people in. Smaller brands are built on authenticity.
Embracing Old and New Ways of Connection
We’re also seeing the rise of new ways to connect online. Apps and platforms like Snapchat that emphasize privacy and control over your data are gaining traction. Not to mention the increase of features within direct messaging platforms These platforms understand that not everyone wants their life to be an open book for the whole world.
Rediscovering Old Platforms
Remember blogs, short form and long form? They’re making a comeback. And so are forums like Discord and Slack, niche social networks, and even email newsletters. These platforms allow for deeper, more thoughtful exchanges. It’s like sitting down for a cup of coffee with a friend instead of shouting into a crowded room.
The Role of Nostalgia
Let’s not underestimate the power of nostalgia. We’re drawn to the simplicity and sincerity of the early internet days. There’s a comfort in returning to a time when online interactions felt more personal and less commercialized.
Cheers to the new year, let’s embrace this shift in social media. Here’s to finding joy in sharing with a smaller, more engaged audience. It’s about getting back to the heart of why we started using social media in the first place: to connect and share in a way that’s true to ourselves.
Remember, you don’t need a massive audience to make an impact or to share your life meaningfully. Sometimes, the most profound connections come from the simplest interactions. I am a firm believer in making every connection count!