How to Survive on the Crumbs of Love

Finding satisfaction in social media: there’s no shame in it, right now living on crumbs may be the only thing any of us know how to do.

Most of us have had some experience of paying too much attention to social media engagement. There are studies about intermittent rewards and algorithms, but the experience of trying to use social media to fill the emptiness left by this long hiatus of normal human interaction is potent.

I often find myself torn between the very real need for human connection and psychological tactics on social media.

I really should know better. I trained for two years as a Zen monk, and as an executive coach I understand intimately the ways that social media plays on our vanity, our ego, and our desire for love.

And yet in the midst of the pandemic, I still find myself trying to survive on the crumbs of love I get from social media.

Photo by Merakist on Unsplash

It’s Been A Year

At the end of January, I ended my three plus year relationship. Even in the weeks coming up to the end I spent my morning slowly waking up rolling over and giving my ex a kiss.

I can still remember lingering with her on the hammock in our backyard.

Each moment contained this subtle reminder that it was our last something. Last dinner at…