One of the best things about social media is how continually engaged we can stay with our friends and family members. Precious photos and engaging status updates from old high school friends, siblings, children and even grandchildren that live miles away can make us feel connected, a valued part of the community. There’s always something to catch up on, a news story, an engaging online conversation and even new social platforms.

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Snapchat, LinkedIn, etc.; it can be a bit overwhelming to stay on top of the social media wave. News cycles and hot topics come and go like the wind and there is always more to read, learn, think and converse about. Media is running at a faster and faster pace.

Learning new platforms and balancing the in-person with the online relationships can be complicated. Technology writer, Damon Brown, challenges us in an article on Inc.com, to engage but not overwhelm the senses with every new gadget and platform available. He explains, “Once you pick one or two social networks that matter to your audience, stay active only on those. You may want to create an account in others just to reserve your preferred name, but don’t make them part of your daily life. “It only takes 10 minutes to set up an account,” Brown says. “After that, just do something occasionally.”

Occasionally. That might be the trick. Picking one or two to check daily and leaving the rest for those times you just feel like engaging in something new. It’s important to stay active and continually make the effort to be a part of the online conversations and sharing, but not to the point that it is exasperating.

When it comes to the social balancing act, moderation is key. Be sure to follow WAHVE on (a few of) our social sites, like, LinkedIn or Facebook or Twitter, but don’t worry if you can only keep up with us on one or two of them. We understand that it’s in the balancing act that the enjoyment and satisfaction of a well-balanced life is sustained.