For quite some time, I resisted creating a Facebook account. I was active on Twitter. I had 500+ connections on LinkedIn. I did not care to be on Facebook. But like everyone else (or so it seems) in the world, I caved and created an account. I told myself it was so I understood Facebook more now that my children were on it. I was convinced that I was expanding my social media experience to stay relevant in the job market. I said I wanted to increase my Klout score.

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I quickly connected with friends, colleagues, college and high school friends I long ago had forgotten. As I scoured the list of names I might be connected with, a flood of memories came over me. The familiar names had me wondering how, after over two decades, I could recall these people from high school. Since I have not made it back to any high school reunions, I wondered how everyone was and what those of us who did or did not get along would think of each other as adults.

Now, I find myself immersed in everyone’s daily diary. Whatever it going on with each of us, we post. This includes happy or sad events and funny or frustrating moments. We watch each other’s children grow up. We have discussions over purchasing a power blender, planting a vegetable garden or showing off a new pair of shoes. We post photo albums of amazing trips, observations or just plain funny events. And then none of us can let anyone else have the last word, so we keep getting notifications of someone responding to our post or someone else’s. I too am guilty of this.

I majored in journalism and public relations in college and admit I am a news junkie. A professor told me I was the social butterfly of the journalism department. I always want to know what is happening. Before Facebook, most people classified this as nosiness. Now it’s called status.

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This really didn’t bother me until I was on a conference call with two colleagues I serve with on a volunteer basis. As we waited for others to join, I asked them what was going on.

Then I realized and commented that because we were all connected on Facebook, we already knew what was going on. We really had little to talk about. Our normal small talk was met with uncomfortable silence.

As we continue to see each other check in, post pictures, discuss the latest headline or make some observation, let’s remember to hold something back. Face-to-face interaction still matters. Keeping something private to discuss later will serve us all well.

I guess this means my blog will be quiet for a little while. Maybe.