Technology + Relationships = Disaster

It’s hard to remember what life was like before cell phones, IM’s, Facebook, and 24/7 connection, at least for my generation it is anyways. I can barely remember (but this may have something to do with my TERRIBLE memory) my freshman year of high school before I got my first cell phone. Did people just say, “hey I’ll meet you here at such and such a time”, and then the other person waited for them? What if they didn’t show up? Did you wait, or go on with the plans alone? It must have been such a simpler time.

I’m bringing this up because I’m having issues with technology and the utter 24/7 in your face connectability. Yes, I find it quite ironic that I’m writing this on my blog but oh well. My little rant is more about relationships and today’s technology. It makes it virtually (pardon the pun) impossible to maintain a normal relationship with anyone with the tools at hand.

Examples:

1) After meeting someone at a bar for maybe an hour or two and hitting it off they go home and become FB friends. From there, they do a little stalking of one another (or creeping as my lovely friends in college called it :-) ). If interest is sparked they continue, chatting online, or via text.

2) But then, depending on how much creepin you do, you'll know things about someone that they haven't told you and you can't bring it up or ask them about it because then they will realize just how much time you spent finding out about them. And that presents a dilemma with conversation. Do you admit your creeper ways and just balls to the wall go into, "I saw your pictures of your trip to Italy, I've also been there"? Or do you wait for them to bring it up and feign surprise?

After a break up, it is difficult to see your ex post pictures of themselves having fun or with other people of the opposite sex.

I think after a break up you should delete these people from your Internet life. There is no need to torture yourself by looking at their pictures, posts, or what others are writing on their wall. You don't need to be tempted to IM them drunkenly one night telling them you miss them. Take them off your speed dial, because let's face it butt dialing does accidentally happen sometimes.

I wish I didn't have the visibility with ex's that I do have. Maybe it's time to cut my losses and delete some people. They obviously won't care, and it's so much easier to get over someone when you're not constantly reminded of them by your Facebook newsfeed.

Don't even get me started on text messaging. It is my downfall. I've become so dependent on random texts from "love" interests that I feel neglected without them. I wish I could cut myself off and cancel my text plan, but the fact of the matter is it's convenient. I hate talking on the phone so a text that you're running late is perfect.

The days of face to face are long gone, and I'm going to just have to deal with it. Post on my wall, but please don't poke me, I find it disturbing.