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Sometimes I get anxious. Twitchy, we call it. With my iPhone in hand, I flick from Twitter, to Facebook, to emails and back again. Over and over. I find it impossible to resist a tiny red circle with a numeral in it. For non-iPhone users, this mean NEW STUFF, new email, new text message, NEW app update… New, new, new!
And there are times when I want to sleep, to check out of reality, to really talk one on one with the person opposite me. And out of the corner of my eye, I see it. A bleep, a buzz, a RED CIRCLE! And I get twitchy {we call it}. I haaaaaave to check.
I read an article once about social networking/media anxiety. That the must check, must be in the loop, better not miss out nature of social media is making people, in general, unhappier. At the time I scoffed. Literally. Who would let themselves get so out of control they couldn’t have coffee with their friend without checking their phone… Loser.
Well. Hello loser.
I compare it to when I was in primary school and the idea of missing a single day make me sick to the stomach. What would I miss? Would I got back and the rules be different? Would someone say something about me and they will all hate me when I get back..? It got so bad that even when my parents offered short or absent day for special occasions or family events I wouldn’t do it. The idea of being out of ‘the loop’ ruined any reward factor that could have possibly been there for me.
And sometimes, it feels a little similar. I blame a naturally anxious biology, to some degree. But it’s simpler then those days back in primary school, the social networking/media thing. I’ve been trying to cut back. Hang out more, check in less. Be all zen about it. Leave my phone in my pocket, my bag or the car. Detach a little. Remind myself that there is nothing more important then looking my friend in the eye over coffee. Balance. You know.
So what about you? Do social networking check in’s make you anxious, less happy or annoyed? How do you find the balance. Is my iPhone to blame?
Suger 
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