Are you lonely? Sometimes, when I feel lonely, instead of making an effort to connect with people in a more personal, emotionally intimate way, I find myself bingeing online; reading and posting a lot of little nothings on Facebook.
I was a late adopter of social media. I admit I often find it fun and informative; a quick, non-intrusive way to find out what old and new friends are doing these days. It’s a great way to kill some time. I get to lurk; see the fun other people report having; live vicariously. I’m happy for them, sometimes envious, sometimes I feel left out.
Lately, I’m acknowledging that it’s just not satisfying; I liken it to eating a bunch of empty calories. It leaves me feeling empty, malnourished. When I spend too much time on Facebook, I achieve this illusion of emotional intimacy. The truth? For me, it’s a lazy, non-committal, risk-free way to get my friendship and my family needs met. This is not the life I want…
I know I’m not alone. Watch this…then, try turning off your computer, iPad, smartphone, Gameboy, XBox, etc. What’s that like for you?
“I have 422 friends and, yet, I’m lonely. I speak to them all every day and, yet, none of them really know me…LOOK UP.”
What do you think?
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Ellen Shuman is a pioneer in the field of binge eating disorder treatment; a Coach who specializes in helping people overcome binge eating, binge eating disorder, emotional eating, compulsive eating, and food addiction. She is the founder of A Weigh Out Life Coaching & Members’ Circle, Acoria Binge Eating Disorder Treatment (1993-present). She is a Past President of the Binge Eating Disorder Association (2011/2012), and Co-Founder of the Academy for Eating Disorders Special Interest Group on “Health at Every Size”, ellen@aweighout.com, 513-321-4242.
