A young cousin of mine went on a much needed vacation over a week ago — for two weeks he “stayed at a friend’s ranch with no internet or phone. . .” He came back feeling rejuvenated and ready to resume his routine. I can only imagine how rejuvenated he must feel.

Coincidentally, a friend of mine told me that her husband went off the grid a few weeks ago because he found social media can be a burden.

I’ve noticed that among my family and friends who are introverts and/or creative or both, social media can be just as exhausting as physically spending too much time “out there” or “in public”can be if no time is allowed for reflection and creative regrouping.

The cousin I spoke of is an extremely gifted writer and musician, as well as a frontman in the Colorado music scene — he certainly needs to guard his “quiet time” to be able to keep all of his creative wheels spinning. He’s obviously learned that.

My friend’s husband is a wonderful builder with a great sense of humor — plus he’s a great dad and uncle (I know, bc he happens to be the uncle of my stepchildren)

One of  my daughters, who is an artist and graphic design student, unplugged from social media two years ago with “no regrets.”

My son, who is a talented writer and is also fluent in French has NEVER connected to social media, bc, in his words, “I don’t have time for BS distractions.”

As for me, taking an occasional break from the social [media] scene is an absolute necessity — to be constantly plugged in is as exhausting for me as being unplugged is for my extroverted friends.

I guess the lesson is to listen to what our psyches tell us about all of it — I KNOW my limitations/saturation point when it comes to physically social situations. And I’m learning to accept those same limitations when it comes to social media interaction.