Thanks to Jacquie, whom I’ve known for awhile now but finally met today, I was included in a quick segment for today’s That’s Life with Robin Swoboda on women and social media — or so we thought. Turns out the segment was more about women and there potential social media addiction and how it can ruin families, and we were portrayed as two possible victims. Maybe that angle makes for better TV, I don’t know. But what I do know is that I think we handled the surprise twist rather well. And while I’m sure like anything in life people can become addicted, to me personally, social media has enriched my life. And I believe Jacquie would say the same thing.

The segment was quick and for the most part, rather painless. Robin was really quite friendly and meant no harm. As for the doctor, I felt she was trying to make something an issue, perhaps for business and awareness or maybe because she truly believes this is a problem. Either way, I found it pretty funny when she confessed her love for Facebook during the break.

Social media is about connections and sharing – it’s not a new phenomenon rather what people have done for centuries. What has changed is the technology to do this which ultimately makes this very old ritual much easier and quicker. I’m sure if you were to look back through history, people were accused of talking on the phone too much (land and mobile), or writing too many letters and spending too much time reading the paper. It’s always something. I’m convinced sometimes people look for problems and as I rewatched this morning segment (the doctor went before us and discussed how easy it is for women/moms to become addicts and how to recognize the signs), it’s clear to me that she was reaching and in some ways, not very familiar with social media as a whole.

In the few moments we did have, I tried to explain how social media has impacted my life, for the better. Unfortunately, and as expected, we didn’t have much time so I couldn’t really make all the counterpoints I wanted. If we did have more time, I would have explained all the ways in which social media, specifically blogging, has impacted me.

I started Cleveland Foodie a few years ago so I could truly understand social media and therefor help my clients. The one main ingredient to blogging is passion. If you’re going to author a blog, it has to be something you’re passionate about. For me that’s easy – food and Cleveland, so a blog about the wonderful food in our city was a no brainer. And while I started the blog to improve my understanding and ultimately help my career, it has helped me in more ways than I could have imaged. The blog has afforded me the opportunity to explore a passion I’ve always had and a career path I once wanted to pursue. I’ve gotten to know our wonderful chefs and become part of the restaurant scene in town. I’ve learned so much more about our city and connected with/learned from people all over the country, both as it pertains to food and as I joined the greatest club on Earth — motherhood. And my husband and I have met so many people and made many wonderful new friendships. The blog has also led to ongoing freelance work for Metromix and Cleveland Magazine. And as for my original goal of helping my career, it most definitely has and then some, in many positive ways. I can honestly say that I truly enjoy what I do for a living.

So if some want to call my blog an addiction, so be it. I choose to see it as a golden opportunity that has given me the chance to take a passion to the next level. Maybe FOX 8 would like to have us back on and discuss the positive attributes of social media? But I will concede and say this: I have been the proud owner of an iPhone for just 48 hours. And if the past two days are any indication of the future, then I might find myself on that doctor’s couch because I am well on my way to becoming addicted to that glorious little contraption.

And for the record, what my daughter sees is two parents that absolutely adore her and enjoy every possible minute enjoying life as a family. And the fact that we’re so aware of social media and actively keep up with the times can only benefit us for when she’s a teenager.

On a side note, I learned two things from seeing myself on TV: I need a better foundation and I have more baby weight to lose than I thought!