Let’s Connect: That Which Motivates + A List Of Who’s Doing What

/ Ally Bean
{Image courtesy of geralt | Pixabay}

I’VE HEARD IT SAID THAT people use social media either for affirmation or for information. This is said as if the two motivations are mutually exclusive, but I don’t think they are. I’d suggest that there is a continuum with affirmation on one end and information on the other.

We each fall somewhere along the continuum, depending on the social media we’re using and our mood that day.

I suspect that people probably don’t stop to analyze what their motivations are when they check their FB account, or Linked In account, or Twitter account, or Instagram account. The whole process has become habitual rather than intentional.

Or at least most of the time.

I know that I mindlessly pop onto IG to see what’s up. I’m not looking for much of anything other than a way to pass a few minutes, pleasantly. While there I might experience 20% affirmation [someone liked my photo] and 80% information [photos of new decks, for instance].

I can tell you those percentages in retrospect, but I don’t plan my motivations and how my experience will unfold before I visit the website. Do you?

ANYHOW THAT’S WHAT’S FLOATING AROUND in my head this morning. Nothing controversial. Nothing profound. Nothing humorous. Just a few thoughts about social media, something we seem to take for granted now.

And when did that happen? I cannot remember a life without social media, can you?

All of which brings me to the following informational list of ongoing [mostly] blogging challenges & prompts. It’s not meant to be an exhaustive list of all that is out there on the WWW. Instead it features bloggers, who in addition to creating challenges & prompts, have connected with me via comments.

[Thank you]

For clarity I’ve stated the names of the bloggers alphabetically using first names, shared a link to their blogs, then added whatever details I could find about what they’re doing.

~ • ~

A LIST OF WHO’S DOING WHAT

Amanda at the blog Something to Ponder About has Friendly Friday

Cee of the blog Cee’s Photo Challenges has Flower of the Day (FOTD) Challenge

Dan at the blog No Facilities has Thursday Doors

David at the blog Fiction Can Be Fun and Deb at the blog Debs Despatches have Insecure Writer’s Support Group [@TheIWSG and #IWSG on Twitter]

Deb at the blog The Widow Badass Blog and Donna at the blog Retirement Reflections are starting What’s On Your Plate [#whatsonyourplateblogchallenge on IG]

Isa-Lee Wolf at the blog A Bit To Read has Ten Word Photo Prompt [example of her prompt] [#TENWORD on Twitter]

John at the blog The Sound of One Hand Typing has Go stand in the corner! and is part of the A to Z Blogging Challenge [#AtoZChallenge on Twitter]

Junie-Jesh at the blog The Jesh Studio has All Seasons [example of her post]

Linda at the blog Linda G. Hill has One-Liner Wednesday [#1linerWeds] and Stream of Consciousness Saturday [#SoCS]

Marian at the blog Marian Allen, Author Lady has A WRITING PROMPT FROM ME TO YOU [example of her prompt]

Mary at the blog Mary J Melange and Susan Scott at the blog Garden of Eden Blog are part of We Are The World Blogfest [#WATWB]

Melanie at the blog sparksfromacombustiblemind has Share Your World [example of her questions]

Natalie at the blog Natalie The Explorer has Weekend Coffee Share

Paula at the blog Light Motifs II had some fun prompts, but her blog is under construction at the moment so stay tuned

Su Leslie at the blog Zimmerbitch has Virtual Afternoon Tea [example of a post] [#virtualteaparty2021 on IG]

Terri at the blog Second Wind Leisure Perspectives has Sunday Stills Photography Challenge

Trent at the blog Trent’s World has The Weekly Smile [#WeeklySmile on Twitter]

~ ~ • ~ ~

152 thoughts on “Let’s Connect: That Which Motivates + A List Of Who’s Doing What”

  1. Lots of ways to get involved! Thanks for the list. I will check them out.

    From my experience as a runner on Twitter (and FB), I estimate that my motives are 90% affirmation and 10% information. A typical Twitter exchange between runners: “I ran 5 miles today”. “Way to go!” “Awesome run!” “Brilliant!” (That last response is from a British runner.) It’s almost all affirmation! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • Laurie, I’ve been meaning to do a list like this one for a while because there are so many challenges and prompts anymore.

      I like your 90/10 ratio. Obviously you can see what’s going on. I’d say you deserve affirmation for all the miles you run. Yay Laurie!

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Information only for sure. I avoid social media (except for reading WP blogs) like it’s a plague, or pandemic…see the tie in there. Not a call for affirmation by any means. That clever little play on words just sort of fell into my lap given the times we live in.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. It’s funny, now that I think about it, I participate in some of these, and I regularly follow others. I never gave much thought as to why. I just enjoy both activities. Social media, on the other hand, flips from having goals to being mindless. I sometimes try to “spread the word” on Twitter. I never attempt that on Facebook, and rarely even try to augment the message there – the place has become the dark alley of social media in my mind.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dan, your description of FB is spot on. I’m not there anymore, but I hear the stories of the evils therein. As for you not knowing exactly why you do the challenges and prompts that you do, I think that’s normal. It wasn’t until I heard someone make the affirmation/information comment that I began to think about why some call to me and others don’t.

      Liked by 2 people

          • I think it’s less feeling affirmed than is is trying to be supportive of someone that may be looking for that. Especially in the past year, some people seemed to be looking for support (some straight-up asking for it) on facebook. I think, sharing a smile, leaving a short comment or sharing a similar story might have been helpful. The things you would do if you were talking face-to-face. Some people lost more social activity than others. I continued to get out for shopping and to pick up takeout dinner (and have a beer while I waited). I know some people who rarely left their homes, and some that didn’t at all.

            Liked by 2 people

            • I get this. I often think my job as a blogger is to make everyone feel good about themselves, so I affirm them. Write silly stuff. Leave comments hither and yon. Of course as one of those people who has rarely left my house in the last year, I’ve had the time. You’re a good person for doing what you’ve done to make other people happier. [See I affirmed you there!]

              Liked by 3 people

  4. I haven’t found social media informational or affirming for awhile, and so I don’t use it any more. (I’m starting to feel like a vegan who always has to work it into conversation that they’re vegan.) I will miss printing all my IG pictures into a chatbook every year – it was the easiest photo album I ever made.

    I appreciate your round up! I’m going to have to go check out some of them today!!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Katie, so you’ve given it all up? You’re still blogging, right? I don’t feel the compulsion to be a voice on any social media, so when I check in it’s usually for information.

      I love your comparison of yourself to a vegan who has to let everyone know about it. I sometimes feel that way when I mention AGAIN that I’m not on FB.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Not doin’ social media anymore except for WP.
    Oddly during the Big Freeze blackouts, the little world here seemed so calm – and even positive without all the hyper emotion of social media/computers – or actual media.
    It’s a matter of time basically. I really enjoy visiting bloggers and getting a peek of what life is like all around the world – and how people are processing the information they are attracted to. People are intriguing
    But now it’s warm and nice weather – and yard repair is calling. Once the heat and humidity return, wandering online will once again be entertaining.
    Enjoyed ordering the post

    Liked by 2 people

    • philmouse, you said it with “hyper emotion.” That’s the trouble with social media. Well said. I enjoy blogging and try to keep up with people, but all the other social media I toy with like a cat with a mouse. When I’m there I’m primarily after information.

      This last week we’ve got Spring going on here. Just *boom* and the outside world is calling to me. I’ll be putting blogging on the back burner while I can get outside and do things. Like you, the yard calls to me.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Ally, Thank you for the list and the mention. My main social media activity is blogging. I host my weekly link-up and participate in some link-ups. I enjoy reading, writing, using technology (!), and the virtual conversations via blog comments. I don’t spend any time on FaceBook, IG, LinkedIn or Twitter.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Natalie, I’m mostly in the blogosphere, too. The other social media places don’t call to me in the way that blogging does. Like you, I find the conversations in the comments to be fascinating and empowering and revealing– and a whole bunch of other smart things.

      Liked by 2 people

  7. I love the blog community to compare our lives and thoughts, past and present. I haven’t done any of the challenges or prompts that go around because I don’t have the time when I have a move coming in my future but I look forward to checking out the links you’ve shared.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Jean, I love the blogoshere, too. It’s where it’s at for me. I dabbled in other social media, but only when I have extra time. I don’t do any of the challenges anymore, but occasionally do a prompt. Do them or not, it’s whatever floats your boat, as they say.

      Like

  8. My social media use is sort of a mash up. Sometimes I really do just want info…presently my tabs include vaccination sites (I’m NY eligible now) Oscar nominated movies, antonyms of lazy, and a definition of Hanlons razor. But I can get lost in the insta rabbit hole if need be….

    Liked by 1 person

  9. I do remember a time without social media, fondly. That said, I think it’s like almost anything—not inherently good or evil. It’s all in how we use it. (I remember when today’s debates about social media were about TV and how it was warping my generation.)

    I also think we mostly do what feels right/good to us, and that changes over time. I’m rarely using FB any more, but not because I’ve sworn off it. It just doesn’t do for me what it once did. I think few choices we make are a matter of will. We do what we want.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Rita, I remember the before social media times less fondly than you. I was trapped in a small world then– with uptight people. Blogging has opened the world to me and in the process has allowed me to relax into who I am today.

      That being said, I deleted FB years ago and haven’t missed it. I’m on IG and Twitter, but sporadically and always looking for information first. If affirmation follows, so be it. Agree that we ultimately do what we want with social media.

      Like

      • I guess I don’t think of blogging as social media (which, of course, it is). Like you, I’ve been so grateful for connections with people I’d otherwise have never known. And for how much more easily we can all get information we need. There are aspects of the world before all the social sharing platforms that I miss, though. The negatives for me are largely about impacts on kids.

        Liked by 1 person

        • We are fortunate that at our age we’ve experienced a world without social media so we know how to connect in real life. I wonder about some of the shy kids who only make friends via social media now. They are missing out on a valuable skill, the one about learning how to size up people and get along with them.

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  10. Aw! ❤ Thanks for the inclusion! I don't use any social media save for WordPress. I was active on Facebook for years, but all the comments I've read and one (yours?) apt description of it as "the dark alley of social media" seems to ring true these days. I was there for the family until I realized that the young people have moved on to newer sites, ones I don't have the energy to learn. So here I am and again, thanks for the mention! ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    • Melanie, of course I had to include you in this list. While I don’t do any challenges anymore, I like reading what other people have to say to your questions. [Makes sense?] As for FB, I left it long ago. It’s not for me. I found no information, no affirmation there. And like you said, it’s more of an old people place now.

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  11. I’m generally informational (nerd). But the affirmational (yes, autocorrect this is a word! maybe) was key to surviving the Trump administration. Not for me personally, but for surviving 4 years of gaslighting about graft and white supremacy. I’d see the news and think, “ARGH! The country is being looted! That’s racism! That’s fascism! That’s horrible! Good grief, how can this be happening?!”

    On Twitter, my feed would usually have at least once person who put their outrage over the events/ hypocrisy of the GOP/ into a a funny or clever tweet. At which point I’d feel relief that someone else could see reality.

    Also, CNN fact-checker Daniel Dale became far more important in my daily life than I ever expected.

    Liked by 1 person

    • AutumnAshbough, I use social media primarily for information, too. However you raise a good point about how during the tRump years of hate and corruption, I went to Twitter to find someone who understood the horror of it all. Meaning I was there for affirmation, too. Desperately needed some days.

      I don’t know of Daniel Dale but will look for him. Thanks for the idea. I do like to think critically using whatever knowledge I can glean along the way.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. I’m not really a social media person except for WP. I don’t get much from it and don’t have time for it. I don’t do prompts much, either, although I read Melanie’s. Unfortunately, I remember life without social media really well (yupI’m that old). Much of it kind of reminds me of the interactions that used to occur between my mother and her friends – gossipy, friendly, supportive, sometimes overwrought.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Lynette, I like your idea that social media can be like conversations with your mother and her friends. Yep, that’s exactly what FB was like when I was on it– sort of friendly but gossipy and decidedly overwrought. It was not for me.

      On the other hand I enjoy blogging because it keeps my brain clicking and my heart open. I’m here for friendship and the chance to learn about other people’s lives. That is what I think is cool about it.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. I have backed away from most of Facebook because it has become so toxic. However, I do find that if I don’t check out my home page now each week and see what’s going on with friends and family, I find that major things happen that no one, especially the youngers, think needs to be mentioned to anyone since “they posted it on Facebook.” I have discovered obituaries and other life marker events there!

    Liked by 2 people

    • Dorothy, I deleted FB years ago. I figure if someone wants me to know something they know where and how to find me. If sending a text or email is too much bother for that person, then I’m optional in their lives. And that I duly note.

      Liked by 2 people

  14. I am on social media and feel like I’m on the continuum between affirmation and information as well. I do fondly remember the decades before social media, texting etc. and the personal contact we had back then. I love the global connections that blogging and social media encourage as it invites opportunities to connect that we previously didn’t have.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Yvonne, you’re right about how the personal contact we took for granted is no more thanks to social media. We communicate differently now to be sure. I don’t necessarily want affirmation when I use social media, but I’m human so I do like it when it happens. As for the global connections, that is what is so cool about how we interact now. Thanks for taking the time to comment here.

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      • I think the cool part about the social media is that we aren’t limited to our own corner of the universe and we can expand our connections to make friendships, to learn about others and to broaden our horizons. That was a great post and I’m glad we’ve connected. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

        • Yvonne, hear, hear. You said it perfectly. That’s why I’m on social media, to learn and to broaden my horizons. I’m glad we connected here, too. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

          Liked by 1 person

  15. Social Media? Not for me. Do I have a few accounts? Yes. Do I post, or whatever it’s called in the current vernacular? No. I have never felt the need to share random thoughts or events, at least not publicly. I’m not knocking social media, rather just stating my view on the subject. Good article though.

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    • Johnny2Toes, I take your point. We all use social media differently. It wouldn’t take much for me to drop my social media accounts entirely. I don’t use them primarily for affirmation and there’s getting to be less information on them all the time. But until we’re free to wander the world safely, I keep them. They’re a way to pass the minutes.

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  16. Thank you Ally, for the shout-out on Donna and mine’s upcoming challenge!
    After obsessively doom-scrolling Twitter for 4 years (during you-know-who’s term of office in your country), my social media usage has dropped considerably…and I’m more than OK with that. I felt I was watching an interminably long train wreck and couldn’t look away, and I’ll never get that time back. Currently I check in very sporadically and am thinking about dropping Twitter altogether. Still on Facebook for family and friends, and still enjoy IG for all the pretty and inspiring posts (I follow quite a few artists).

    Deb

    Liked by 1 person

    • Deb, I was happy to include you and Donna on this list because I’ve no doubt you’ll be a success with your challenge. I, too, used Twitter more during tRump’s reign of stupid, but now I go there for the laughs. I like Instagram but have yet to find it compelling. I’m more of a free spirit when it comes to social media, maybe because I use it for info more than affirmation. I dunno, all I know for sure is that I prefer blogging to any of the other social media. I’m old school, I guess.

      Liked by 1 person

  17. This is a lovely list of blogging opportunities. I know it was ‘work’ putting this list together; you’re awesome. I’ve read of a few of these and I’ve actually thought about joining a few, but then it felt like work. I know it’s NOT work, but you know what I mean; having guidlines. I suppose I’m not a rule follower when it comes to blogging.
    Social media. Hmmmm….I would have to say for me it’s 40 percent affirmation and 60 percent information? Then again, I suppose it depends on my mood on that particular day. I probably have days where I feel a little ‘needy’ and days where I don’t give it a thought.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Suz, thank you. And you’re right about putting this list together. It was work [done with a loving heart]. I started it yesterday morning, then had to put it aside because I ran out of time to finish it.

      I’m a free spirit so I gave up on doing challenges, but I like to read what other people contribute to the challenges. I admire anyone who can keep up with them and follow all the rules.

      When you stop to think about *why* you use social media and apply this paradigm, it becomes an exercise in self-reflection. There are no right or wrong answers, just answers. Which is why I like this continuum. It makes you think.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Nancy, I am here more for the information, which include insights of course, than for affirmation. That being said I’m with you about the snazziness of any compliment that might come my way.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I use social media for connection and for expressing my feelings/venting. Incidentally, is there a word for good venting? I’m a curious sort, so I love getting a glimpse into people’s lives, feelings, activities, etc. I go to Dr. Google if I need information but would never rely on social media. I do enjoy some of the cute videos and memes, mostly skip over anything that makes me mad, and post generally uplifting things on my own page. Facebook and Instagram are definitely Margaret Lite compared to my blog.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Margaret, you have a good handle on the various social media you use, so would you say you’re looking for affirmation when you express feelings/vent? Clearly when you use Google it’s for info.

      It seems to me that many hurt feelings that happen in social media may come down to one person expecting affirmation and instead gets information. [Or vice versa, of course.] 🤷‍♀️

      Like

  20. What a question … I’ve got brain freeze just thinking about it. Of course it’s affirming when someone likes and/or comments on any post I may put up. Who doesn’t like an ego stroke every once in a while. And I enjoy the blogs I do follow. I definitely get my hit of news through social media … links provide what I want to read even if it is not good news. mmmmm, unconscious bias maybe. I worry if i’m addicted to social media, maybe FOMO. But I’ve been thinking this for a very long time and wondering if I could take the gigantic step of freeing myself of it. I would e.g. miss the wisdom of the psychology groups I am part of. Would I be missed? I doubt it … is this cause for concern on my side? I doubt it … I reckon I’ll remain a Doubting Thomas to the end of my days, which is no bad thing in my book … thanks for the brain purge Ally Bean … 50:50 describes it exactly.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Susan, I know what you mean. Once you start analyzing this continuum and the implications on each end of it, you are well into deep thought. That’s what happened to me, so I had to talk about it here.

      I don’t suffer from FOMO. I once said that I suffer from FOAR which stands for FEAR OF APPEARING RUDE. I made that up, but it does encapsulate why I am somewhat attentive to my accounts in social media. However, like you, if I left I doubt that anyone would miss me. 50:50 is a good answer, btw.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I joined FB years ago as a way to keep track of what my kids were doing, then I was on because of our high school reunion so I guess it was mostly informational. Now I must confess that I use it as a platform to try and get my Etsy site more exposure so that would be gratification if anyone ever bought anything – LOL. I appreciate the list of bloggers and their challenges that you included. I am gearing up for the A to Z which will occupy my April but in May I’ll be looking for some ideas to keep the momentum going. Thanks Ally!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janet, thinking about how you use social media, that is for information or affirmation, is a good way to get to know yourself. I also think that we all use them to varying degrees for information or affirmation.

      After you do the A to Z Challenge, by all means checkout some of these other ones. They’re all hosted by bloggers who are able to comment. And we know that’s a good thing. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

  23. I certainly remember life before social media and would never look for affirmation there. I quit Twitter, like Instagram, and still check FB because of family and a few groups I belong to. I really like the blogging community, but I have to call a halt when even a good friend starts blogging more than a couple of times a week. It gets to be too much of a good thing. I don’t mean to offend anyone, but no one has that much meaningful info to write about or spectacular photos to post so their message gets diluted, and I have to move on down the road of ‘life’ off the net. Happy Wednesday.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Judy, I like social media but am not smitten with it. That’s probably because I grew up without it. I admit I like having information at my fingertips and I like getting to know people around the country and the world. I prefer blogging to any of the other app-based social media. But like you, I believe that less is more when it comes to posting to your blog. In fact that’s going to be my theme on Friday. How’s that for a teaser?

      Liked by 1 person

  24. My adult kids begged me some years ago to get on Facebook, so they could connect with me/us easily. So I did! All my church friends got the benefit of it too ….till I was shadow banned. Now I am on there incognito, just for a few in Holland, again easily accessible. With Twitter, am glad I never followed through – in my view too racist in political opinions. Can’t stand the mud slinging since last year.

    Ally, I thought YOU KNEW my challenge! It’s called ALL SEASONS – from Sunday to Wednesday – and it’s about the experience of the season -, and up till now I did it with a photo link, which now with the new editor, I may have to go over to linking in the comment. .
    Enjoy spring, Jesh

    Liked by 1 person

    • Junie-Jesh, what is shadow banned? I’m not on FB so I have no idea what that means. I like Twitter, but it’s all about who you follow. There are some clever articulate people there, but finding them takes time.

      I forgot about your challenge. I’m sorry. I don’t do the challenges anywhere to I was trying to remember them all off the top of my head. Do you have a link to it, now that we’re all fussing with the new editor?

      Like

      • Shadow banned you notice when you have 250 followers, and usually get about 10-15 comments ad day from people. Suddenly one day you get 2, next day none, etc. But you can’t see anything on your page, it feels like suddenly everyone went on vacation. It happens when you posted something facebook did not agree with (similar to twitter)
        It’s okay, I knew you did not forget on purpose! I’ll send you my permalink, so you can have a look..

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  25. Blogging and social media is pure entertainment for me … so I’m not sure if that falls into info or affirmation. I’m on FB to keep up with family and friends…. and the occasional blog topic.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. I think you’re right about the continuum, Ally. I basically left Facebook last fall, tired of the data mining, the animus, the ads, and almost everything else. It’s been quite nice! I was on Instagram for a very, very short while a few years ago and then decided it was too overwhelming despite the people liking my photos and the opportunities to see great photos. I don’t usually read comments at the ends of articles either, as people feel free to be as nasty as they please there. That even happen with our neighborhood app NextDoor sometimes. Sigh. All I’m on regularly now as far as social media is WordPress. I’d love to visit and follow more blogs, but then there’s life. If I follow, I feel I should comment and visit regularly. As it is, a number of the people I love to follow post 2-5 posts a day. I usually read and comment on one. My other social activities now are texting with family and friends, phone calls, and sending postcards and other cards, the latter two things people don’t usually get anymore and seem to like, although I rarely get any back. That’s okay. I like knowing that that person will be excited to get real mail and that’s enough.

    janet

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    • Janet, I deleted FB years ago and what I hear about now doesn’t sound good. Can’t say that I miss it. I like seeing the photos on Instagram, but I also don’t really get it. If there is a point to it, other than to waste time, I’m missing it. I’m glad you mentioned NextDoor. Again it’s something I’m not part of, but I hear it can be a very mean place. I’d rather not know [for sure] that my neighbors are behaving badly. Yes, I’m in denial.

      I know what you mean about feeling compelled to comment on a blog if I follow it. I always have, so I restrict the number of bloggers I follow. Maybe comment less, even.

      Sending postcards is charming and I love it. I used to be a prolific greeting card sender, but found out that some people feel guilty when they receive one. Like they’re not keeping up their end of the relationship. It’s not what I intended when I sent the cards, so now I don’t send them a card in deference to their tender feelings.

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      • I use NextDoor once in awhile if someone’s asking about finding an ethnic restaurant or something along those lines. The city and state governments also post information sometimes which is good to know. Other than that, I stay off and only rarely comment and then only if I have a recommendation.

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  29. I absolutely agree 100% with your conclusions, Ally. In fact, it was a lack of affirmation that made me run from FB in 2017 (specifically, the fallout from the Charlottesville march). I have an Instagram account, but only occasionally will post a picture. Since the pandemic, it’s just been my nosy way of seeing what the inside of celebrity homes look like. It’s always validating when I notice a famous person having as messy a desk as my own. – Marty

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marty, I love your approach to Instagram. I always double-check to see what a room looks like first before I look at people. Context is everything. I can see why you left FB when you did. It’s not a good place to be and hasn’t been for a while.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Swinged Cat, I never thought much about my motivations before I stumbled over this idea. It makes you conscious of how unconsciously we all use social media. And, of course, I affirm your comment. 😉

      Liked by 1 person

        • Ha! I take your point but will not be paying for your therapy. I have no doubt that you are a centered person who isn’t negatively influenced by perceived injustices. You just write blog posts about them.

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  31. Thursday Doors! I remember that! It’s been so long. I need to visit that place again. Nice of you to share these. I think there’s a third social media rationale: boredom. 🙂 So, basically, entertainment.

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  32. Thanks for the list of bloggers to check out! Surprisingly, I had not heard of any of them before. As a blog reader, I can always add to my list!
    I do check FB each day mostly to see what family and old friends are up to. My granddaughters will post things some times and I am always happy to see them!

    Like

    • Ellen D, I don’t do the challenges anymore, but they are fun to watch from afar. Something different, you know? I know some people have great experiences on FB, so I’m glad you find it enjoyable. If it makes you happy, then stick with it.

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  33. Hi, Ally – Thank you for including ‘What’s On Your Plate’, as well as so many other cool linkups (some of them new to me — I’m off to check them out). I’m also old school when it comes to most technology. I email rather than text (insert shock and horror here). I blog or FB over any other forms of Social Media. But it is a step up from smoke signals! 😀
    Thanks again for the shoutout!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Donna, I’m happy you and Deb are starting this challenge. While I don’t do them often I like the idea of a challenge and that everyone can meet everyone else because of them. That’s fun. I understand your tendency to email rather than text. To me email is easier so I like it best. I am, after all, a renowned sloth!

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  34. Great list of challenges, thank you. I participate in several on and off. I’m on FB, WP, and IG but not twitter. Since I don’t post much on either FB or IG, I guess I’d say I was more informational… or do it just to pass the time. Although still bad, it seems that social media got a little less toxic sometime in January… did something happen around that time?

    Liked by 1 person

    • Janis, I, too, have noticed that all social media has become less toxic since January. It’s like a source of evil disappeared from it. And isn’t that wonderful? I used to do many challenges but am too lazy to do them now. Still I like to follow them from afar to see what’s up, hence this list.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Since I essentially never post on FB, I must just be looking for information on what’s going on out there. My blog is a combination of wanting to share information and get affirmation that I wrote something interesting. Other social media I either don’t have an account or ignore it.

    I enjoy reading some of those challenge posts, but like FB, choose not to get involved myself. That’s nice of you to compile a list!

    Liked by 1 person

    • Eilene, when on FB I’d say you’re looking for information, too. I like thinking about social media using this continuum because it clarifies what you’re really doing. Not that it matters, as long as you’re happy.

      I don’t do challenges anymore, so this list was more for me to keep track of those who do than for me to join in. I figured other readers might be interested in it, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. What happened? As in, I read this post and then I never got to comment. My day, the answer. I had all 6 tots/babies today. Not dull. I had a guy show up to measure for new blinds and I forgot he was coming. That threw off my day and I am just now catching up.

    Anyway, I don’t do social media really, except my blog. I do use FB to find new babysitting jobs, to message people sometimes if I don’t have their contact info, and to sometimes scroll to see what’s going on. I CAN get sucked into cute videos of babies or animals or people falling. Not sure if that counts as information or affirmation, like I feel good I didn’t fall? I suppose my blog might have more of a reach if I bothered tweeting, insta-gramming or whatever else is out there.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Ernie, as always you are a busy woman. I can understand how you never had time to comment here. I’m flattered that you came back later in the day to do so.

      To me it sounds like you use social media for information, even those videos are a form of info. I don’t know that I get many readers here because I’m on IG or Twitter, but maybe a few find me that way. Good question about a blog’s reach… 🤔

      Like

  38. Thank you for the list of bloggers to check out.

    For me, I think social media is mainly a short rest period. It’s like doing a quick and easy Sudoku when I’m just a little bit tired and don’t want to do anything demanding. Right now, I really appreciate bird pictures that people post on Facebook and also photos of scenery. Some more scientifically-minded friends post an article about something new in the field of science. I like that. I also like articles about famous but lesser-known women and inspiration from famous authors and dance videos.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicki, I like how you envision your social media use. You’re right, it is like doing a fast sudoku, or in my case a word search. While I’m not on FB I’m the same way as you with IG in particular. I’m not looking for bird pics, more interested in potted posies– but it’s the same principle. Pretty much what I’m saying here is that we’re the same, but different!

      Liked by 1 person

  39. I guess I am not seeking affirmation or information since I don’t do any of that cool kid social media stuff. I guess if blogging is considered to be social media, then it’s my only vice in the virtual arena. I still don’t get the big deal or appeal of it all…

    Liked by 1 person

    • evilsquirrel13, another commenter suggested that there is a middle point between affirmation and information on the continuum and it is boredom. That is why she uses various social media. There’s something to that idea. Maybe you are just plain bored, so that’s why you blog! It’s as good of a reason as any.

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  40. Oooooh, lovely, I am going to check out some of those blogs! Thanks!

    I have been thinking a LOT about social media lately, how I use it, and what’s working and what isn’t. Here’s the thing: I love how connected I am with people, I love seeing photos of people’s kids and dogs and dinners and what have you. I love it! But then this week something happened wherein I felt really weirdly exposed – there was a person on my facebook, who creeps a lot but never actually interacts with me, and then will send me strange and pretty negative private messages. I actually ended up blocking that person, even though there is a chance I will one day run into her in real life, because I felt like our “friendship” such as it was, was one-sided, to say the least.

    I like the “affirmation/ information” thoughts. More to think about! I hope that I am more information than affirmation – but I’m going to give it some more thought.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Nicole, I would have done the same thing as you did with this weird person. Like you, I enjoy all the daily stuff that people post to social media, but I won’t be *friends* with anyone who has a truly negative/creeepy vibe. If you do ever run into this weird person I bet she’ll not bring up the fact that you blocked her. But if she does, what are you going to say? 🤔

      I’ve been meaning to post a list like this one. So many of the people who comment here are part of challenges. I don’t do them anymore, but they are fun to know about.

      Like

  41. I believe Malcolm Gladwell had you in mind when he wrote about connectors in The Tipping Point. 😄
    I use social media extremely sparingly these days. While I understand its value, I see the detriments as well (people abusing others or making announcements that should have been private that wound up traumatizing everyone; Twitter witch hunts).

    Liked by 1 person

    • L. Marie, I hadn’t thought of that, but I can own up to being connector. It’s my way of sharing information, which is why I started blogging to begin with.

      You’re right about the detrimental aspects of social media. No doubt in 100 years that’ll be the thesis topic for someone getting her PhD in History: “A Longitudinal Study of the Traumatizing Impact of Early Social Media Use During the 2020 Pandemic” 🤓

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  42. This list is so impressive I’ve bookmarked it 🙂 As for social media, FB is indeed like a dark alley on a moonless night. I share my blog posts and photos to it, but limit my time because the interface itself is just too weird (too many ads, no control over what posts I see, too many notifications that I have to keep turning off, etc.) Instagram is definitely for sharing my photos and checking out other photos, which makes it fun. Twitter is okay; I use it mostly to share my blog posts as well as others. It can be a real time suck, though, so, like FB, I have to limit my time … and every so often, cull my list of followers and those I follow. I honestly believe that Twitter makes me automatically follow some people just because they follow me even though they are obviously bots. Grrrr. As far as my intent when I open those apps, its probably more affirmation than information. If I share stuff, I want to see that it’s being viewed and hopefully shared some more. IG could be more information than affirmation at times because I do like seeing other people’s photos. FB can only be affirmation because there’s little if any good information shared. Pretty much the same with Twitter although occasionally I’ll see a hashtag that proves irresistible such as #LaurenBoebertIsSoDumb. 😁

    Liked by 1 person

    • Marie, I’m glad that you like this list. I’ve been meaning to do it, and finally sat down, focused, and put it together. I knew many of my commenters hosted/created challenges, just not how many of them have done so. I was pleasantly surprised by how many people I have on the list.

      You are clear about why and how you use all the social media you’re a part of. and that’s good. Not everyone is so intentional. I have the same suspicions about Twitter adding bots to who I am following. I also dislike how many ads I’ve been getting in my Twitter feed. That’s why I’ve started blocking them, but they are like the Borg and keep on coming at me. I like the hashtag you’ve chosen as your example of an irresistible one. Now why is that… ? 🤔

      Liked by 1 person

  43. For me it is definitely about communicating with new people. My world is very small since I live in a rural town, even more so now due to the pandemic. I rarely see people to speak to in person, which leaves social media as my playground 🙂

    PS – I participate in #WATWB, nice to see it mentioned in your list!

    Like

    • SpookyMrsGreen, I like your idea that social media is a playground. I’ve never thought of it that way, but there’s a truth to that idea. As long as we share the swings and don’t fall off the sliding board we’re ok. Thanks for stopping by to comment.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Thank you for putting a list together. Such a great idea. I don’t participate as much as I used to in blogging challenges mostly because I don’t feel I can do so “properly” — whatever that means (it means find the time to visit a lot of others who have participated).

    I noticed the other day that my time on IG has become a kind of mindless scrolling to get to those posts from people I really want to see (if they’ve posted at all that day). What that tells me is that I need to cull the list of folks I’m following and that there are more ads than there used to be AND I should pay more attention to what I’m doing. I’m not sure how my percentages would stack up. Some days I am there for information. Others, for affirmation. I do like to share the scenery from around here.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Robin, I’m glad you like the list. It’s fun to follow along on these challenges even if you don’t do them. Like you I don’t get involved anymore because I cannot do them properly. Love that description, btw.

      I understand your problems with IG. Do you know that you can mute people who you follow? That way when you go to IG you only see the people who you want to see every day, while allowing yourself to remain in contact with the others who you can visit specifically when you want to. This has made IG more agreeable for me, although I don’t know how many more ads for cameras I can tolerate. 🤨

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  45. I actually CAN remember a time before social media, and I often miss it. Part of it, I think, is being a teacher and seeing how different things are now from when I was in school. Of course, things would be different between then and now regardless of whether tech/social media entered our lives, and people do have a tendency to glorify the past, but neither the husband nor I like the changes we’re seeing in today’s youth…

    Liked by 1 person

    • The Travel Architect, I’ve heard teacher friends say the same thing about the dubious impact of technology/social media on kids today. I know that if I’d have been online as a teenager I’d have been more upset about the mean girls + in crowd who would have had the ability to get into my head at home– instead of me leaving all thoughts of them behind at school.

      Of course as an adult, I like social media because I can meet people from all over the world. Social media is a two-sided sword. Always.

      Liked by 2 people

  46. You shared very interesting links. I think I’ll have to pick one a day to visit, so I can appreciate them fully. When I think of social media, I think of the word “connection.” The thread that maintains connections with people over time and distance, the regular check-in, in the way that Christmas cards used to be for generations before technological communication. Perhaps there is information and affirmation in that, but those feel like sidebars to me.

    Liked by 2 people

    • Arlene, good point about the real purpose of social media: it’s about connection primarily. Your intention when using it is up to you.

      I agree that social media is like the way Christmas cards used to bring us together, keep us informed. Of course social media is faster and more ubiquitous than those cards, but my intent when I use it is the same as it was when sending a Christmas card. I want to stay in touch.

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  47. Ally – my social media experiences are a little dull as I use Twitter and Facebook to follow local nature sites, some bird photographers, the news and the weather. I don’t have TV as I cancelled my cable 11 years ago, but I listen to an all-news AM radio station throughout the day, so my Twitter and Facebook feeds show the pics from the on-scene street reporters or have the stories I’ve heard in the course of the day. I pop onto Twitter a lot during the day to see the Trending Topics. I like one meteorologist as he will stay on Twitter during severe weather and give a play-by-play report and what areas where there are severe weather outbreaks and when to take cover, etc. I like that as I am 1) a weather worrier and 2) I don’t have a smartphone to get weather apps. I am on Instagram, but only because a fellow blogger, a teacher who was laid off during their severe UK lockdown, began a walking regimen and also began photographing what she saw along the way. So she asked me to follow her because she didn’t post everything in her blog. I did this as she writes a blog about suicide – she is suicidal. I encouraged her to continue walking/photographing, but she is in a serious funk again and rarely goes out of the house. I don’t know my way around Instagram well enough to be comfortable with it. I don’t have a ton of friends on Facebook and have turned 99% of their posts off so they don’t show up in my feed. I check their FB walls once a day to catch up … shhhh, don’t tell them that! I never post on my Facebook site and most people who have friended me do not even know I am a blogger.

    Liked by 1 person

    • You’ve learned how to use social media in ways that work for you. That’s the key to it, I think. I find that the more intentional I am when going anywhere online, the more pleased I am with what I find. Not in the sense that I like everything people do or say or share, but because I know why I’m there. You sound the same way. Carry on, my friend.

      Liked by 1 person

  48. Firstly, thanks for the shout out. So cool of you to list my blog and challenge there! Lucky that my name begins with A! The advantages of going first is suddenly a good one! Lol. ( remembering school lecturettes in front of class)!
    Social media is a gnarly topic, isn’t it? It gives so much but also takes away critical awareness of our surroundings. It is both a release valve for boredom or stress and also can be addictive, stressful and sometimes boring. I like to think that blogging is a cut above some other basic posting formats. 🙂
    It is good to reflect on how much time we spend at a screen and what we could do if we didn’t do that.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Amanda, laughing about your school memories of having a first name that starts with the letter A. Same here, I was the first called on in spelling bees and recitations. Hated that awkward feeling of being the first kid standing up front of the class.

      I agree that social media is a gnarly topic. Well said. I enjoy what I do with it, but am also aware that, like you said, it narrows my focus to a screen. I don’t have a compulsive personality so I’ve never found any of it addictive, which is good. In fact, my next post about my new blogging schedule speaks to that very point.

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  49. Pingback: SUNDAY SUMMATION 3-28-2021 | sparksfromacombustiblemind

  50. I appreciate you for taking the time to share other bloggers! I will challenge myself once a week to get familiar with each one you listed to see which bloggers interests me. Thanks so much for the info links!

    Liked by 1 person

    • TD, I hope you find some others who interest you. I’d been wanting to do a list like this one for a long time, so last week I sat meself down and did it. A labor of love, really.

      Like

  52. I do remember time before social media. Well, I’m 40 so…I lived my whole childhood and my early youth without it. I had real pen pals and I did read real books. Not anymore (so much). Books for school assignments were borrowed from the library…Life has changed very much!

    Liked by 1 person

    • tanssityttö, I had the same childhood as you. Real books, real people, really going to the library for research. While I like being able to connect with people around the world, it is vastly different than the way I grew up. Not bad mind you, just different.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Yes it is, totally different! Social media is nice thing but sometimes it feels that there’s too much everything and time is never enough for everything, you know what I mean…

        Still, those real letters from pen pals was also very great and I always waited those…Actually everything was more concrete, along with books and letters, also cd’s. You had to buy real cd’s. You had the actual record and those were real important to me!! The cover sheets of the plates were also special! Often the lyrics of the songs were for example found in them. Now you can just play your songs on you tube, on your computer files or on the phone…

        Liked by 1 person

        • Yes, to all you said here. I accept the changes but you’re right that everything was more concrete, less fluid than it is now. A balance between both would be ideal– and perhaps if I keep that in mind I’ll find it along the way.

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