What do you think would happen if we shut down all social media platforms? Suddenly, without Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, or Snapchat would social interaction revert back to the 1980s or even the 1990s where you had to either call someone on the phone or actually talk in person?

I use every single social media outlet I mentioned, aside from Twitter. Even though I have an account, I don’t really use it. Not sure I really need anyone to know every move I make in 140 characters or less. However, Facebook is another story. I use it all the time, but mostly to look at what other people are doing, not for me to post every single moment of my life .I like looking to see what is going on in their lives of people I don’t interact with all the time. I can be up to date on who is married, who is still partying in college, and where people have traveled to without ever picking up the phone or making a FaceTime call. It’s so easy to get lost in what’s happening on my phone at lunch at work, and it’s acceptable because everyone else around me is busy doing the exact same thing. A table of six can be as silent as the wind. But is that a good thing? Being a bystander in life without making any kind of emotional or social connection?

So back to the question: what would happen if we shut everything down? 

After the minor (or major) freak outs, I have a feeling people would reevaluate friendships, relationships, and even the interactions they have with strangers.

It wouldn’t happen overnight, but I think we would go back to having strong relationships rooted in deep conversations, instead of skimming the surface. In thinking about this, I’m making this pledge: I will stay off of all social media one day a week. All of it. It doesn’t matter the day of the week, but for an entire 24 hours I will make the decision to immerse myself in what is going on in the real world around me. No Facebook. No Instagram. And as hard as it will be because I love it so much, no Snapchat. Honestly, I think it will be a welcome relief. A nice change from compulsively thinking I have to check everything in case something breaking happened within the last thirty minutes I haven’t looked. Anyone want to do it with me? I implore you to try it. Disconnect from the digital world and get involved with the actual one in front of you. Take note of what happens when you connect with people on a human level instead of one connected by the Internet. I think you might like it.