Today I want to share something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately: social media in our modern world. I know this can be a controversial subject, but as always, my dear readers, if I have something to say, I’ll say it here. And if I want to share my views, this blog is the place. So, shall we start? Note: this will be a long post, so buckle up.

When social media first appeared, it felt exciting and fresh. Suddenly, the entire world was right at our fingertips, just a computer or phone screen away. We could make new friends, share our progress on projects, and find communities around art, pets, poetry, cooking, travel, and so much more. But from the very beginning, social media had two sides. On one hand, it connected people with shared interests. On the other, it opened the door to misuse and negativity. Many of us tried to protect ourselves and our children from the downsides. Were we successful? Not really. And today I find myself asking new questions: Do I even need social media? Does it bring any real positivity into my life?

We all have “social media friends,” groups we join, and family chats. But I want to be clear—everything I’m sharing here is just my opinion and personal reflection. I’m not offering advice, just opening up about how I feel.

To me, true friendship shouldn’t live only on social media. Friends are people we text or call directly, not people we only engage with through likes or comments. I don’t want my friends to learn about my life only through a post—I’d rather have a conversation with them. The same goes for family. Even with family group chats, the real connections for me come through calls and personal messages.

When it comes to “social media friends,” I believe personal accounts should be private whenever possible. Privacy gives you control over who’s in your circle and who can see or comment on your posts. Social media is like a busy street—just because everyone is walking there doesn’t mean everyone has good intentions. On my personal Facebook profile, my friends are people I’ve chosen. I enjoy supporting them, and I value their support in return. Groups are different—whether it’s an interest-based group or a family group, I join the ones I choose.

I also have a business page, which is entirely separate. That’s where I share updates about my work, connect with clients, and let people peek behind the scenes. But with public pages comes the occasional “not so nice” comment or message. It’s unpleasant, but it’s part of being public. That’s why I keep my personal accounts private—because my friends would never treat me that way.

Lately though, I’ve been feeling disconnected from social media altogether. The platforms have changed a lot, and not for the better in my opinion. People are more impatient, less kind, and I don’t have the time or energy for pointless online arguments with strangers. Mental health and inner peace are things we all have to protect, and for me, that means rethinking my relationship with social platforms.

That’s why I’ve started asking my followers who want to stay connected with my work to join me on my websites. I’ve even created separate spaces for my digital and traditional art. On my own platforms, I can connect directly, without depending on companies or algorithms. And let’s be honest—none of us knows which social media platforms will still exist tomorrow or next year. So why should the heart and voice of my studio live on borrowed ground? My website is where my studio truly lives. Social media can be a useful tool, but it is not the center of my creative world.

So, if you enjoy what I’m doing and want to stay connected, I invite you to join me in my studio—through my websites. That’s where I can share who I truly am.

My websites:

Digital Studio:
https://victoriapavlovart.com

Traditional Studio:
https://victoriawhite.art

Photography Studio
https://victoriawhite.photos

My Training Studio:
https://creativeadobetraining.com

Pet Portrait Studio:
https://ipaintyourfurbabies.art