Spending too much time in front of a screen the other day, time reading posts written by minimalist on social media, I couldn’t help but notice the irony of minimalism and social media. Reading and scrolling, minutes turn into hours and hours just disappear. Is it time well spent or time well wasted?
Minimalist thinkers and influencers these days use social media to amplify their message. Does it go against their basic values? Is it just another form of marketing? Or is it just a good way to create a movement and inspire change for the better?
In no way am I writing this to be prescriptive, to be righteous or to be on some moral high ground, it’s just food for thought. Something to think about.
Observations from a reluctant newcomer to social media.
A better future
My journey started with an idea and a belief in making a difference. Being a parent changes you, especially when you consider the fact that future generations may not be able to enjoy what we have due to rapid changes in our environment, climate and world.
I have seen it first hand; glaciers melting, changing seasons, wildfire smoke, more intense fire seasons, shorter winters and heat waves. Many places have seen even more drastic changes. Extreme events, too many to mention, but think of Germany and Belgium’s recent floods. It’s hard to deny the change.
I went into this with optimism for a better future. A future that combines design, minimalism and zero waste for a more sustainable lifestyle. First, a blog as a good starting point. Next, I jumped into the social media realm. I learned that is what it takes to expand your reach.
Social media can be a very powerful tool to amplify a message. Being well aware of its power and ability to polarize people, it has been an interesting experiment to join in so late in the game. Check out The Social Dilemma documentary, it’s a perfect reminder of the problems with social media.
Don’t get me wrong. I have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with old friends on long video calls, messaging and generally catching up on where they are at in life. On the flip side, it’s been wild to see the extremes of opinion on the Covid pandemic, vaccination and politics. It doesn’t seem to be uniting us, even though most want the same things: peace, equal opportunity, to be safe, happy, free, fulfilled…
Social media conundrum
Knowing full well the time vortex and all the accompanying problems of the different platforms, I found it quite funny to spend so much time reading post about minimalism and from minimalist. A post about adding value to your life, one about living a more meaningful life, another about having less screen time. A post about the amount of marketing we are exposed too, one about simplifying, another about the problems with consumerism and even post about “scrolling being the new smoking”…
All in the name of minimalism. That’s where I couldn’t help but notice the irony of minimalism and social media. I was now spending more time in front of a screen being bombarded with messages of a simpler life.
The simple life
For years I lived a fairly simple. A life that was dedicated to outdoor pursuits, hanging with friends and having a good time with a tight knit community. I have been lucky enough to have a job with a sense of purpose, helping injured people, keeping people safe in the mountain and helping people get their fix of mountain adventure, especially on powder days. I was lucky enough to follow my passion.
My life was simple, I have never owned a cell phone nor any social media accounts. In no way am I here to say you should go without. It’s a personal choice. It was one that I chose to avoid, to be more present, to be more in the moment without the distractions. To purely enjoy what I am doing.
For the most part it worked for my lifestyle although it did put a strain on some friendships. I just wasn’t part of the communication line anymore. Instant messaging is the expectation. Picking up the phone and making a plan isn’t what it used to be. I certainly have missed out on adventures and last-minute plans since I was too hard to get a hold of. I can at least say that I was a 100% in the moment for whatever I was into.
Down time
What about down time you might ask? In the past it was an opportunity for conversation, for in person connection, for noticing things, for thought and for innovative ideas. Nowadays, way too often than not, people are just staring into the small screen in their hand for the next entertaining thing all the while missing out on the things going on around them. The Minimalist have even coined “scrolling is the new smoking”. You see it all the time, people just can’t help it.
Down time equals screen time.
Ever notice the little kids trying to get their parents attention at the park? Parents staring into their phone. It can be a sad sight. Or even the opposite, trying to talk to a kid staring at a screen.
I am not against screen time. I just finished watching Wonder with my daughter and it was super special. Tech can be used for so many good things, laughs, connection, knowledge, innovation… Who doesn’t like a good laugh or a good documentary? I think we just need balance.
25 years ago, it would have been hard to believe that we would spend so much time in front of screens. Screens on the wall, on your desk, on your lap, in your hand and beyond. Is it bringing value, more purpose, more meaning, more joy to our lives? Are we truly more connected? Or are we becoming less connected with what counts?
Constant marketing
With all that screen time comes constant marketing. On an average day, people are exposed to around 4000 to 10 000 ads. Do you like the constant interruptions? Constantly trying to seize our attention or influence our behaviour. Is this truly the way you want to live? Are you better off or more fulfilled?
Freedom
By staying connected are we just giving up our freedom? Sounds kind of extreme doesn’t it? Consider going back 20 years and telling yourself that you would spend on average 7 hours a day in front of a screen. Glued to it and giving up the better part of your day staring staring into the light.
The irony of minimalism and social media
Minimalism is about what matters to us, what adds value. It’s about living simply, consciously and intentionally.
Is social media part of that equation? Is part of a life worth living?
There are no doubts on the power of social media, you may have even found this post through their channels.
The minimalist movement use it to connect people and ideas, to promote wellbeing, to promote a better and simpler life, to promote living our best lives.
But at what point is our life too virtual?
When should we disconnect?
Leave a comment or disconnect. Go enjoy life.
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Thanks for reading,
Pat
Pat is a Ski Patroller/Avalanche Technician with a keen interest in design and sustainable living due to a longtime passion for the outdoors. Seeing glaciers melt, seasons change, summer skies full of smoke and beach pollution first hand, motivate him to make a difference.
As Yvon Chouinard Founder of Patagonia says “If you are not part of the solution, you are still part of the problem”.
Well put! I ask myself some of these questions constantly. Minimalism is not at all part of the culture I grew up in. In fact, I’d say most of my family (and definitely my parents) are borderline hoarders. Regardless of labels and where we draw the lines on extremes, I found myself so full of anxiety and depression my entire life. There was no connection. I basically raised myself what felt like a sea of “things”, and no people. Now I have a hard time making meaningful friendships. I think asking ourselves questions is where all of the healing and growth starts. It’s hard to say what’s too much in any category, but I think you’re completely right when you mentioned balance. We all have to find our own balance in all things.
Thanks for the thoughtful comment, we are all looking for our own way in life, finding our own balance.