I’ve Discovered the Benefits of Being Socially Unsocial
To experience anger is to experience stress. Stress is a lupus trigger, and while we all have stress in some form, we don’t all have to have it all the time. We can learn to limit the things that cause stress or anger. I have decreased the circle of people I spend time with. If they were constant complainers or gossipers, I don’t spend time with them — they either stress me out or share things that make me angry.
I also ask myself, “Is whatever this thing that is taking my energy worth it? If I can’t make a direct impact on making it better, should I spend my time on it?” This is one of the reasons I don’t watch the news. Recently, I decided to take a hiatus from social media. When I signed up for Facebook and many of the other social media accounts, it was a way to unplug and have a little fun. The day I decided to shut things down, I’d seen so much hatred and vitriol that I asked myself if this was what I’d signed up for. I found myself getting angry over the racism, the news of violence over foolishness, and the people eating one another alive over politics.
At one point, I’d typed out what I felt was a well-thought-out response to a racist comment and as I proofread, I realized the person I was speaking to had made up their mind. I was not going to change it. No matter how eloquent this black woman’s contribution was, it was really not going to make an impact. I took a scroll down my news feed and realized that even my most reasonable of social media friends were sharing or talking on things I felt were stressful, so on the 27th of June, I stopped posting.
Lupus beats you up, and fatigue is something I think all those with the disease battle. It’s not a normal “I’m tired, I need to take a nap” kind of fatigue. It’s “you could be down for days, unable to really function or move.” So, at times I have spent my entire day on social media being … well, social. I am writing this column after not sharing anything on social media for almost an entire month. Let me tell you how I have dealt with those fatigue days when I spend a ton of time on the sofa or in bed. I learned a few things. Adobe has what they call a Creative Cloud. I am learning Adobe Illustrator, which allows me to design really interesting things digitally.
I designed each of these little flowers with my new skill. (Courtesy of Kellie McRae)
I am learning Adobe Photoshop so that I can edit pictures, and the video-editing software Premiere Pro and Apple’s Final Cut Pro. I also managed to start learning to sew. It requires that I concentrate, but it’s an activity that allows me to sit as I do it.
Earlier this year, I shared that I was teaching myself photography, so learning some of these computer programs only enhances that. Not to mention that many of us with lupus can no longer work, so I can turn some of what I am learning into an income stream. I don’t know about you, but I am thinking that being unsocial is helping me to grow. If social media brings negativity into your world, don’t you owe it to yourself to change that?
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Note: Lupus News Today is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Lupus News Today, or its parent company, Bionews Services, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to lupus.
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Chris
Insightful as always. I think we all, at least in my case and many other I know , are told that being "social" having friends etc is so good for you. Then it is usually added that we are imposing a negative isolation on ourselves. I remember teaching my kids from the time they were old enough to have friends " choose your friends carefully, the number does not matter. Surround yourself with people that reflect your ethics, morals and values. Let the others go." They found as I did that this makes for a small circle of friends, but they are treasured and valuable. Since relocating and getting older it has become a challenge to have close friends. I am grateful for my best friend and husband. I let go of the "search " for friendship. I believe in the "laws of attraction". The universe brings to us what we attract. I am grateful for what I have . I recently read an excellent book "The Artists Way" by Julia Cameron. It takes a long time to work thru but well worth it.
Knitting and Crocheting as well as playing music (piano, guitar, drums etc.) calm me too. I recently have started ink drawing, (intend to add watercolor to enhance later) calligraphy and embroidery.
Enjoy your arts. The bags are lovely. Keep us informed and thanks again for your point of view.
Shelley
I don't socialize in the real physical world very often at all. It takes a lot of energy, both phyiscal and emotional. Using social media sometimes makes me feel like I'm still a part of the world. Unfortely, it also makes me feel both angry and disappointed because some people post such ignorant, hateful things. We live in America. As such, we are allowed to have different beliefs, morals, religions, etc but when somebody starts stomping on my beliefs with their's, I get really upset. As a result, I try to limit my time on Facebook, in particular. I, too, have removed most of the stressful people from my life....the people who only want to be friends when they need something, the people who don't take the time to understand your disability properly, the people who make you feel bad about yourself as a person. It was challenging to cut those people out of my life but was ultimately worth it. I encourage everyone to get rid of the people who make your life miserable. Thank you for a lovely post, Kellie. :)
Kellie McRae
Hi Shelley, Thanks for stopping in. I agree that getting rid of the things that are negative, especially if you can't really impact them is crucial. It's not been easy weening out those folks who can make you angry over topics that you feel like are simple. I applaud you for doing so, make your world work for you. I'm still figuring some of it out...I guess we all are. However, like you, I too have learned that cutting some people out will make life a lot more pleasant.
Bernadette
Enjoyed reading your article. I to have at times had to limit or stay away for periods of time. Like that you've been so creative, nice bags.
Kellie McRae
Aww thank you. I think we really learn to listen to what WE need as we battle. Its imperative that we try to be as happy and stress free as possible. Sometimes that requires us to step away from what others would happily walk toward. Thank you for stopping in and commenting.