My First Social Media Experience

My relationship with social media began in the early 2000s with MSN Messenger. At the time, it felt revolutionary. For the first time, I could instantly reach out to friends and “chat ” whenever I wanted. This was especially meaningful for me as someone who was not naturally talkative in person. MSN offered a new avenue for connection, one that shaped the way I interacted with peers and broadened my comfort with digital communication.

The Highs and Lows of Connection

As new platforms emerged, my engagement with social media went through phases of greater and lesser intensity. In some seasons, it became a dominant part of my life, particularly because so many of my peers were active on message boards and event-based communities. Those spaces created meaningful networks that, interestingly, still exist in some form today and I remain in contact with people I first connected with through those early digital communities.

The positive aspects of social media are clear in my personal life. It has allowed me to maintain connections that would otherwise have been lost. I can witness friends’ families grow, share in their experiences, and celebrate milestones, even from a distance. Yet, there is also a bleaker side. Social media often fosters comparison, and I have found myself at times falling into the trap of measuring my own life against carefully curated images of others. This has been one of the more harmful aspects of my engagement with it.

Some people

Professional Growth Through Social Media

Professionally, social media has offered unexpected benefits. For several years, I created a podcast, which helped me develop confidence speaking on a microphone and in front of a camera. Because I now teach online, these skills have been particularly valuable in my career. Being comfortable using technology to communicate, engage, and present has made my transition into online teaching much smoother and more effective. At the same time, I remain cautious about the risks. I intentionally keep my professional and personal presence separate, avoiding the use of my full name and maintaining boundaries to protect both my work and my private life.

Hosts of PatsCast – the unofficial Regina Pats Podcast

Looking Ahead: Intentional Engagement

Overall, my relationship with social media is complex. There have been moments when it has been more harmful than beneficial, particularly in terms of distraction and comparison. However, I also recognize its unique ability to connect, create, and provide professional opportunities. Moving forward, I view social media as an important platform for building my portfolio and professional identity. The challenge for me will be to engage with it intentionally and maximizing its positive potential while remaining mindful of its limitations.