This title with jot notes has been sitting in my "Drafts" section for months; I haven't been able to put something together that I thought was important enough to publish. Right now though, with COVID-19 over our heads like a dark grey cloud of uncertainty, it seems like the perfect time to take a step back to reflect and share positives (and possibly some negatives) that I have taken from being a part of the Ontario Craft Beer scene on Social Media.
With little to do but scroll on our phones at home right now, Social Media is bringing us closer more than ever over these last few weeks. One thing I love about Instagram specifically is the chat groups that are created between like-minded as well as geographically neighbouring beer drinkers that wouldn't be likely to connect otherwise. We come from different backgrounds, age groups, careers, towns, and yet we all have one thing in common: we love talking about beer. While some chat groups (that I am happy to say I left almost immediately) were not positive, the ones I remain in make me smile almost daily. Picking and choosing the ones that make you happy is important, just like choosing friends in real like, online friends should add value to your day and your life and make you smile.
One thing I discovered after some of these chat groups took off was that we started getting invested in each other's everyday lives as well. We are genuinely concerned for those of us who are still working through this difficult time at our local LCBOs, hospitals, and grocery stores. We ask each other how we're doing and we reach out to those who seem to be distant to check in on them. It is so important to have a sense of community like this online right now when we cannot have a community in person.
Sometimes Social Media can be overwhelming and it can definitely negatively effect my life if I let it. When I get too wrapped up in taking the right photo or too immersed in an electronic conversation, I can find myself losing track in my everyday life. Craft beer for me is important to keep fun, even in my professional work life at Flying Monkeys. I never knew craft beer would become part of my career and I am happy that it did, but it is hard to keep fun when it is most of what you talk about all day. I like to keep things fresh by often taking a break from drinking beer and opt for water, coffee, or other alcoholic beverages (I am a whiskey girl at heart, just like my dad). I also like sitting down to a beer with friends without taking a photo or critiquing it; sitting and sipping it without making notes was part of the fun at the beginning!
Right now though, more than ever, I remember the positives that have come from my Craft Beer Social Media Experience. So many great people I have met at events! Recently I am thinking of @travellingpint who I met at Beerhurst at Deerhurst a month ago as well as @tdotdrinks and @craftbeerphoenix at the Toronto Restaurant Show. Also of course Chris from @highgravitysupplco (and his personal account @ataleineverypint) who I have worked with on a craft beer clothing collaboration. So many in-person friendships have blossomed as well such as @beer_ol_o_gist, my first work beer buddy and @craftycrossfitter, who inspires me every day to stay true to my strong, athletic and competitive self. As well as obviously Jenn and Shannon (@craftbeerandkittens and @hops.and.hikes respectfully) who were there for me at a time when I felt alone. These friendships I would have never had but beer brought us together. Kindhearted and amazing people who love something just as much as I do: craft beer and supporting local. Not to mention all of those who I have connected with from across Ontario, and even around the world, that I have never even met! The list could go on forever.
And there will always be those Negative Nancy's that seem to want to rain on your parade. But don't let them! Kick those people to the curb; unfollow and block if you feel like you need to. There's no room for that in your Social Media experience. No room for "haters" in your life and Debby Downers in your feed! Having the courage to unfollow and ignore those who bully, make fun or rudely comment is sometimes hard, but I believe in you. Make a statement and be true to yourself, stick up for your online friendships, there are real people too behind those perfectly angled beer photos and polished glassware.
All in all, Social Media is a tool: something to create, share, and connect. I think that for me it does just that! Through these rough times, I hope that people are taking positive advantage of the tools that we have in our smart phones and laptops to connect with our friends and families. I know personally I can't visit my mum or dad but picking up the phone and calling (teaching my mum to use FaceTime is a challenge) is so important. We can "virtually cheers" each other instead of in the taprooms and we can order beer from our favourite breweries instead of picking up in store. Social Media keeps us together in hard times like this, and that is definitely a positive for my Social Media Craft Beer Experience.
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