Back in my social media manager days, I’d have to explain why I lost 1,000 followers. But instead, today when I saw that number scoot a little lower I didn’t feel the familiar panic to explain. No spreadsheets to adjust. No presentation or brainstorm session to figure out what’s going wrong and how we’re going to change it. 

First, because I don’t care about that vanity metric. The number of followers anyone has is the least interesting thing about them to me. I am surely not investing my energy in a number that strokes someone else’s ego. Second, because I’ve been intentionally sharing a little less lately on social media. I’m busy just like everyone else. I’m under the existential dread of pending election results (this is a subtle reminder early-voting is open in many areas - go vote!). Posting and scrolling most certainly don’t make anyone feel better. 

I’m not the only one who’s taking a step back on sharing so much. Just this week several of my favorite van lifers made similar posts to let folks know they wouldn’t be saying as much. Their realities, much like mine, have changed a lot. They’re evolving and so is how they use social media. For me the change is that I worry a lot more about making sure the people who show up for me know what’s going on in my life instead of a count I simply can’t control. 

That means when I feel the urge to scroll, I’m texting an old friend to ask how they’re doing. When I want to make an ambiguous post about something that’s bothering me, I just vent to my girlfriend. No more posts just for the engagement. I’ve stopped worrying about who’s following me. I’ll just follow my little dog’s butt as he happily trots along the sidewalk for our daily walks. Phone in pocket. 

I guess connection is just another example of something that works a lot better analog than digital.