Like countless others this January, I have resolved not to resolve. For several years I have been choosing themes for the year based on my interests, dreams, goals or areas for improvement. While this method is a drastic improvement over sweeping and desperate resolutions that lead to my near-immediate sense of failure, I have found a “wrinkle in theme” too. Themes, while not easily “broken,” are easily superficial, lacking roots, shunning accountability. Take last year’s PHOTOGRAPHY theme. I took copious photos and learned oodles about the craft. What I did not do was discipline myself to create a process for tagging, organizing, saving, backing up, editing and using my photos. Why? To answer this question I was forced to consult two professionals: 1) a psychologist, and 2) a time management guru. Here is a truncated look at our sessions:
Psychologist: What I hear you saying is that your photography is creating stress and a general sense of failure. Is that correct?
Me: Well, um, er, I’m not sure that I meant it that way…
Psychologist: Right. So not only are you stressed out and failing in your chosen theme, but also you are in denial about it?
Me: Well, um, er, I’m not sure that I meant it that way…
Time Management Guru: (clears throat politely) Perhaps I can intercede, I mean interject here?
Me: Yes. Please!
TM Guru: Your stress involving your photography theme comes from the fact that you do not have time to work on your perfect organizational system, right?
Me: Right!
TM Guru: And you do not have time because?
Me: Well, um, er…
TM Guru: Right. I think I understand.
Psychologist: Miss, would you mind stepping out of the room for a moment?
Me: Well, um, er (walking out of the room)
TM Guru: You may come back in now.
Psychologist: I have permission to speak for my colleague here, and we’re almost out of time, so I’ll make this succinct. (Pause). (Sigh.) (Head Shake).
TM Guru: Frank, I’ve got this one. Britton. Facebook. Log. Off. Now. That’s it.
Me: What the heck? (she says to an empty room)
Thank goodness these guys came cheap. They told me what I already know. Resolutions. Themes. Intentions. Undulations. Simulations. Initiations. Gyrations. Smooth Moves…will all fail if I do not moderate the time I spend online. I love Facebooking – it has brought me closer to friends, family and memories. But I simply must treat social media as a yummy side dish to an already tasty life–one that has spicy goals worth pursuing. The next time you are on Facebook, think of me, only there as a treat after organizing the day’s photos, and ask me how I’m doing with that online moderation thingy.
So here goes. This year, I solemnly swear to spend less time on Facebook and more time…
