Whether it be because of Facebook or not, what we call a "friend" these days has changed. The article states that people are "collecting more acquaintances but don't really have time for true friendships." That we're actually starting to get lonelier.
I don't know if it's happened with age, but I definitely feel this in my life. I don't see my close friends nearly as much as I used to. Yes our lives have changed, yes we live further apart, but I know I'm not alone when I say I'm guilty of not making time to foster those friendships.
The article says that 40% of Americans feel more comfortable socializing online than face-to-face. Honestly this statistic doesn't surprise me. I never thought I'd be more comfortable texting than actually calling someone to chat, but with some friends that's the case. I used to HATE texting. Now I do it more than talking.
I really noticed the lack of "friendship" when I started this blog. I asked my Facebook friends to "like" the Facebook page that I started for A Touch of Grace. Of my almost 400 "friends" do you know how many likes I got? Maybe 40 the first time I asked. I got a few more the 2nd time around, but I was amazed and totally disappointed by these people who I have as "friends." Remind me the next time you want me to donate to your cause that you couldn't even click 1 button to support me free of charge.
The article also goes on to say that spending time with your girlfriends can "lower blood pressure, reduce the risk for depression, and create a sense of well-being?" One study says that "having a pitiful social life is as bad as (or worse than) being an alcoholic, smoking 15 cigarettes a day, or being obese!" Seriously?! Well then why the heck are we not spending more time with our girls?! I know I'm never great at scheduling things. I make excuses all the time. "They live too far. I need to spend time with Baby A. Work is crazy right now." But in reality, I see Baby A every single day. Spending one afternoon/evening with my girls isn't going to make her resentful of me. Yes she changes quickly but she's not going to look like a different person overnight. And yes, some of my girlfriends may live far, but I drive almost an hour to work every day. I'm sure I can drive a decent distance for a few hours of girl time every so often.
And don't forget to pick up the phone and call. Go that extra mile (ha! extra mile. Since when did making a phone call to a friend constitute going the extra mile?!) and dial their number and talk. Sometimes just hearing your friend's voice is all you need to turn a bad day around.
So to my girlfriends that are reading this, let's make it a point to talk and see each other more often. I'll do my best to schedule time and I hope you do the same.
Happy Thursday y'all!
Well said! I feel the same way and get so wrapped up in work, gym time and working on the house I forget to make time for myself and girls. Thanks for reminding me that time with the girls is needed!! I'll text you later to plan something fun :)
ReplyDeleteI just wrote about how technology is changing us and this is one of the seven changes that I've noticed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I started my Facebook page over two weeks ago, 16 of my 77 friends liked my page. It was disappointing, so I can completely identify with you.
I have a few good friends... I appreciate your reminder to do things with them.
Wishing you a blessed day.
xoxo
It's sad but true :( Although, I would say that I think you do a pretty darn good job of keeping in touch and getting together with your friends. That's one reason I really appreciate you as a friend. We do need to get more face-time but it is difficult now that we have kids and we work, etc. Although things like Facebook might make it easy to lose that more personal connection, in some ways I think it helps keep us connected more than we would. Can't wait to see you in about a week!!
ReplyDelete