Social Media and friendships
I think it's ironic that platforms created to connect people seem to isolate us from other humans more and more - so busy 'connecting' and watching from afar through a screen that we don't have time to get together in person. It's given us easier access to family and friends so we can keep up without having to truly catch up and where we used to message asking how everyone is doing, we now scroll the gram or Facebook homepage, see a post, and don't feel the need to then send that message or pick up the phone.
I've been guilty of it myself, without even realising it in the moment.
The worlds of Facebook, TikTok and Instagram have seen me gain and lose friendships over the years, some were not long lasting and I know others will be forever. Unfortunately, you tend not to know a person's intentions until they make them very clear down the line and, as mentioned in previous posts, I have lost what I thought were genuine friends through copying intellectual property and stealing ideas or designs. Granted no idea is ever a truly original idea, but for it to be copied to a tee and done by a supposed friend that's what makes it hard to bear. It makes you wonder if that was the reason they connected to begin with, or if their intentions were good and they just lost sight of that along the way.
That being said, I've gained so many more and the few that have stuck around are worth a million of the ones who didn't. Business aside, it is one of the reasons I'm very thankful for the existence of social media.
I've met people who became friends who are now family.
This year I held an intimate party for my 29th (+21) birthday party at home for my nearest and dearest and in those invited were friends Rachel and Aaron, who I met through Instagram - I keep in contact with them and know our friendship extends way beyond picture platforms which is so lovely, to the point that myself and Alfie are visiting them this weekend in Bristol. Likewise with my friend Donna, who has supported me so much on my journey through my business over the years and through that has become a firm friend I couldn't imagine life without her being part of the jigsaw, even though she lives all the way down in Southampton, she travels at least twice a year to see me at the shop.
Laura too, who is a very special lady who took over the factory with her amazing business. We met through Instagram and attending the same awards evening a few years ago, and she's just slotted into her own little space in my life, always been loyal to me and a great friendship has remained, even when I stepped away from someone who was part of that circle, for reasons I might share one day, maybe from beyond the grave....
Sharing a story about what we'd grab first in a fire brought Natalie into my life almost five years ago now, as she shared with me that it would be her little boy's memory box who passed as a baby, and we got talking - I had a nosey at her page, spent three hours reading her book she had published and loved her already, she didn't know that... and within 2 days of that first conversation we had a 2-hour long video call, secured her to help run our social media side of things, and rapidly grew to a friendship where I now see her as the Northern me. She knows me, knows my soul, knows how I feel without having to tell her, and me her! I'm actually the Godmother to her youngest little boy who joined us in 2021 so definitely a friendship that became family, and one I wouldn't have without Instagram. She is a keeper and her support at the end of the phone during Covid is one that I won't forget.
Then there's Holly, who I met on TikTok, who is one of the most lovely and genuine people I've ever had the pleasure to know. Conversations come and go on TikTok, friendships are fleeting and fizzle, they all have their seasons or phases but not this one. We support each other, she's always there to offer a shoulder or advice when it's needed. I know she's always on the other side of the phone if I need her... or up for a little trip somewhere, previously travelling to Switzerland together which was wonderful, and we are planning to visit Dublin as well soon.
There are so many other people I could mention here, but many who were there at the start, just aren't there anymore, I don't know if I have played any part of that, or their life's are just so detached from social media now... or people move along with current "trending creators", and I have been swept to the kerb, I don't know, but if they do read this, I want them to know that I am still here, the same Sarah, and my inbox is always open for them.
I know I wouldn't have these friends if I didn't have social media, but I also know if it was to be wiped off the face of the earth tomorrow each and every one of them would still be in touch. It isn't reliant on squares or every day posts and I just find those connections so special considering every moment and decision in my life with regards to work and my career led to them - one different path and I'd live the rest of my life never knowing they even existed. Crazy isn't it, really?!