Virtual Friendships

Is the cyber world taking over your real world? Does it seem like most of your relationships are with your computer, or your PDA? When was the last time you had face to face interactions with some of your friends? Between texting, twittering, blogging, emailing, IM'ing, posting bulletins, status updates, and video messaging it seems like there is no time in anyone's day to have a 'real' relationship. Yes, these things can make our lives easier, and even provide us with friendships that wouldn't otherwise have been possible. But at what cost?

After a renewed friendship via email I learned the hard way that friends still want to see you in person! My friend and I spent years communicating online. Eventually my friends replies became shorter, fewer and far between - finally ending all together. Our final conversation (through instant message of course!) consisted of me asking why my friend seemed to be avoiding me. My friend was mad that I thought we had a actual friendship, because I hadn't seen this person in years...only spoke online and that we shouldn't talk to each other anymore. That was it. Over.

I was hurt. I had really felt like we were friends. Although, this friend did live nearby and I still hadn't met up personally. I was always too busy between raising my family, going to school and volunteering. It was more convenient to talk online. The fact is, virtual relationships can work for long distance situations, but for nearby friends they shouldn't replace acutal interaction. This person was right to call me on it.

Unfortunately our lives are so busy in today's world, that we find ourselves utilizing these new forms of communications and online functions to save time. Speaking from a friend's perspective, I don't want to feel like my friends are just squeezing me in and virtual time is all they have for me. So, take time to see your friends. Use your texts for quick notes. Use your social networking and email for updating others on your life, not becoming your life. Let's face it...an emoticon hug doesn't come close to a real hug.