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      • 10 Romantic Gift Ideas for Any Occasion
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      • 20 Affordable Gift Ideas for College Students
      • 10 Group Gift Ideas for Coworkers for Any Occasion
      • 10 Mother's Day Gift Ideas "Splurge Vs. Save"
    • Save Money on Groceries with Online Websites "Extreme Couponing"
    • Save Money with these Travel Tips >
      • Getting Around on the Las Vegas Strip: Trolley and Bus Transportation
      • Top 12 Tips: Twelve Things to Do in Las Vegas
    • Controversy Surrounding TLC's 'Extreme Couponing' Causes Stores to Change Their Policies
  • Meditation Videos
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      • Guided Gratitude Meditation and Prayer
      • Guided Gratitude Meditation Part 2
      • Guided Gratitude Meditation Part 3
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    • Mood Music
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    • Creative Ways to Recycle, Reuse and Repurpose Common Household Items
    • How to Save Money on Craft Supplies
    • How to Make a Plastic Straw House for Kids
    • How to Use Plastic Straws to Make Toys for Kids
    • How to Make a Victorian Paper Beehive Greeting Card
    • Basket Weave Paper Craft
    • How to Recycle, Reuse, and Repurpose 12 Old Items
    • DIY Mother's Day Eyelet Kids Card
    • Pinterest Fail: Some Things Aren't Meant to Be... Like Mason Jars and Me
    • DIY Father's Day Card with Tuxedo and Bow Tie Design
    • Paper Flower Wedding Centerpiece Recycle, Reuse, and Repurpose
    • Paper Flowers: Elegant DIY Wedding Centerpiece
    • Pearls and Paper Flowers Wedding Centerpiece
    • Paper Flower Wedding Bouquet Recycle, Reuse, and Repurpose
    • DIY Wedding Centerpiece in a Romantic Crystal Theme
    • How to Make a Crystal Wedding Tree Centerpiece
    • DIY Vintage Inspired Summer Wedding Centerpiece Ideas
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    • How to Care for a Cast Iron Pan and Season a Cast Iron Skillet
    • How to Replace an Old Phone Jack
    • How to Remove the Smell of Mothballs from Clothes
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    • Natural Home Remedies Using Coffee, Tea and Aloe Vera
    • Natural Home Remedies Using Baking Soda, Vinegar and Lemons
    • Household Allergies to Volatile Organic Compounds Found in Home Furnishings
    • Product Reviews >
      • Review: Logitech Ultrathin Wireless Keyboard Cover for IPad
      • Review: InFiniti by Conair Tourmaline Ceramic Flat Iron Model CS33FX
  • Did You Know?
    • YouTube Videos of Motown Musical Performances
    • Famous Songs Used in TV Commercials
    • The 10 Best Covers (Remakes) of Famous Songs by Popular Singers
    • 10 Dance Songs to Play at Your Summer Party by Fierce Female Singers
  • DIY Decorating & Design
    • Feng Shui
    • How to Create an Inexpensive DIY Faux Chalkboard
    • DIY Silhouette, Wall Mural, and Photography Art for Your Home
    • DIY Upholstery How to Re-upholster a Footstool with Fabric
    • How to Repurpose a Plain White Comforter or Duvet
  • Style File
    • Caring for Your St. John Knits
    • How to Wear White with the Right Undergarments and Accessories
    • Caring for Your Ugg Boots
    • Maintaining and Caring for Your Shoes, Handbags and Jewelry
    • How to Make Fabric Floret Flowers
    • How to Personalize and Customize Your Cell Phone Case
    • Where to Buy Fascinator Hats
    • Wearing Brooches in Creative Ways like Celebrities
    • DIY Fashion >
      • DIY Sewing Craft: How to Turn a Pashmina Scarf or Shawl into a Cocoon Sweater
      • DIY Grecian Headband and Braided Gold Cord Headband
      • Create a Turban Headband Using a Scarf
    • Silicone Hair Products
  • Finding the Right Earrings for Your Face Shape
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    • Male Body Language Signs of Attraction
    • He Does Not like Me: Using Body Language Clues to Tell when He is Not Interested
    • 10 Romantic Movies Your Boyfriend Will Enjoy
    • How to Avoid Toxic People and Emotional Vampires
    • Attract Positive People by Avoiding Negative Toxic People
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    • Rumination: Stop Thinking About it and Let it Go
    • Most Heterosexual Men and Women Can't Be Friends
    • Does He Like You or Is He Using You?
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PictureImage by © SJ Johnson 2014 - all rights reserved
New Social Media User: Coping with My Irrational Fear of Social Media

Dipping My Toes into the Social Media Waters

By SJ Johnson

According to
Facebook, there are currently over 1.11 billion active Facebook users. Twitter has over 500 million users, and Instagram has 100 million users. With statistics like these, it seems like everyone uses some form of social media. Let me clarify that statement, it seems like everyone is getting into social media, except me.

For many years, all of the social media horror stories had me paralyzed. A quick Internet search of "Social Media Hazards" brings up the FBI
webpage devoted to "Internet Social Networking Risks" under "Counterintelligence." That means that even the Feds are afraid! Why wouldn't a mere mortal like me be petrified? However, for the last few years, I've been slowly dipping my toes into the social media pool.

Yes, you read that correctly. It has taken me years to navigate the social media waters. Besides fear, another main reason it has taken me so long is that I thought all of the networking stuff was just a fad and would fade into oblivion like Betamax video tapes. Note to Self: Social media is here to stay. It's not going away anytime soon. It's everywhere! It's more pervasive than the  Kardashians. If you need that delicious looking recipe from your favorite cooking show all you have to do is sign in to the show's Facebook page. Oh, and don't forget to 'Like' the show while you're at it.



Unfortunately, despite my silent pleas and prayers, social media has infected the Earth. Glassdoor career and workplace expert, Jacqui Barrett-Poindexter, writes, "...social networking sites play a vital role in your career, and that to remain forward-looking and modern appearing in your approach, you MUST be visible on the media channels." Therefore, I'm slowly embracing social media out of pure desperation. That's right -- I'm not changing my stance because I mind being on the fringes of society, a social outcast without a Facebook account and no "Friends." No -- the truth is -- that in order to get anything done, I need Tumblr, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

In addition to their ubiquitous presence, there is an added benefit to these sites. They have made life easier for many and have provided a voice to the often voiceless. The idea that these platforms give voice to individuals who have been systematically denied a forum is evident in recent worldwide events. From citizens in countries dominated by tyrannical rulers to young people who are often ignored by adult media, this phenomenon is revolutionizing our world. According to
Goodreads.com, business journalist and author David Amerland said, "Social media is the empowerment of the individual at the expense of the system."

However, my newfound conversion does not mean that I am suddenly blind to all of the pitfalls of social media. My fears of loss of privacy, stalking, and other deviant online behavior are still there and haven't gone away. The thing is, now I can see that the good in social media far outweighs the bad. My new outlook means that as I slowly test the waters I can breathe a sigh of relief. So far, so good, I'll just take it one day at a time.

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