My Blog vs Social Media Exhaustion Syndrome (SMES)

Recently, I talked to a friend about my blog, and he was surprised that I was a writer. I am used to this reaction because I seldom pimp my blog. My blog is a private space for me, and I'm very particular about who I choose to share it with. I admit that I confused my friend, and he associated my Substack account directly with my blog, even though they are completely separate entities. That confusion led him to ask me to remove him from all social media. I complied with his wishes: he won't receive any funny memes I occasionally send from my Substack account, and he never signed up to follow this blog.

I respect his decision. I don't want another inactive follower on this blog. I already cut my subscriber list in half when I found that people hadn't opened my posts in more than 2 years. I don't get many responses, but at least I know people still see my posts. Their lack of interaction tells me I need to be a better, more consistent writer. I have to hone my craft and improve my product to get more followers and more interactive responses.

However, I don't want to be a controversial online personality. I want to explore what I am going through with my own life, and to find out if anyone else has experienced something similar. I want to help those whom I can and to gain knowledge from those who have already traveled a similar path. In the past, I wrote about politics. But I was never able to contribute anything original to the conversation. I found myself getting angry all the time. I knew that I wanted to do and say something different, but I wasn't sure what yet.

I read that my blog should come from the heart, and I realized that all the political posturing wasn't what I felt was missing from my life. I understood that I am now disabled, and I started focusing on how I could write about my life and struggles and triumphs in a meaningful and entertaining manner. I made considerable progress in my physical recovery, which inspired me. I want to write about overcoming obstacles and achieving goals. Simple things I can do now that I couldn't for a long time due to surgeries and complications.

When my friend decided he didn't want to be in my blog, I thanked him and removed him from any Substack memes I forward to other friends, also at his request. I cannot help but wonder what is going on in his life that would suddenly lead him to declare himself done with all social media, but that isnt any of my business. I want this blog to grow organically. I'm not bragging about it to anyone. I've thought about including a link when I share something to Substack, but since there isnt much interest there, I don't see the point.

I didn't feel rejected when my friend decided to cut himself off. I felt sympathy for him in whatever he's going through right now. We aren't physically close anymore. I haven't seen him in nearly 6 years. Patience is something that took me a long time to learn. When I rush into things, chaos normally ensues because I don't take the time to consider the results of my actions. I have lost friends in the past with my rash judgment and failure to work through options to reach a solution.

In the past, I clung to people. I was afraid to let them go. I don't feel that way anymore. We all must follow our separate paths; hopefully, when we intersect, it will be a forever-type relationship, but we can't hold onto something that moves independently of our wishes. I don't despair over things like that anymore. We should be content with friends while we have them and recognize that goodbyes can be emotional or happen without a visible reason. Both paths are equally valid. If there was no argument, don't take things as a personal insult.

My blog and my Substack will remain active. I enjoy the freedom that writing gives me.