THE VEGAN STREET BLOG

Hello, Let's Talk About Social Media...

Hi, all -

Welcome to the newly updated VeganStreet.com! It’s weird because I’m all excited about my capacity to blog on our new website and blogs are pretty much a relic of the mid-2000s but what I am most excited about is creating a space for having conversations off social media. Because, really, isn’t it all a little nauseating and stressful?

Think of this space as our comfy living room where we can stretch out with as many or as few pillows as we like and our beverages of choice to shoot the breeze. Maybe there’s a cat on your lap. If you’re allergic, maybe there’s not. This is your mental space and you can design all the elements exactly as you like.

For me, I will have a pillow behind me and a pillow on my lap (yes, there’s a cat or two, too) and an iced tea in the summer and a hot chocolate in the winter. Are you ready?

Since social media is on my mind, I thought this first foray could be about it: the benefits, the drawbacks, how it has changed our habits (can you imagine getting a beautiful vegan meal and not wanting to photograph it?) and even how we think. I have made friends around the globe - not just Facebook friends, real-life friends - through Facebook specifically, people who break my heart when they experience setbacks and loss, people I rejoice with when things are going well. They are also people who have been there for me and my family through massively difficult times. At the same time, would we have the unique stresses, rampant conspiracy theories and decreased life satisfaction without social media? On yet another hand, social media has made it so easy and convenient to spread the vegan message, learn more and get active. On yet a fourth hand, I can’t tell you how many times the cruel, offhand comments of a random stranger on Instagram has really gotten under my skin. There are so many more persuasive pros and compelling cons.

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This is what I am asking: What are your general thoughts about social media? How do you regulate its effect on you? What are your healthiest habits with social media? How do you use it for a tool for outreach and advocacy? Or have you walked away altogether? Comment below. 

XO - 

Marla

​If you wish, please leave a comment by clicking on the word Comments at left.

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