Christie Mitchell: Social Media — Shrimp Soup for the Soul

I made my RP debut with a story of overcoming adversity through social media and peanut butter.  For those who did not indulge in the “tail” (if you search the archive, you will gain further understanding of this spelling), it was a collection of events that prompted a wake-up call in my life through very surprising channels and/or “ingredients”.

Tonight, as I was decompressing, a very enlightening thing happened along the same lines…

Why Inspiration and Insight Can Be Simple, Sweet, Social, and Seafood Related

I have since gained great responsibility at my new job.  Being the bright-eyed, bushy-tailed gal that I am, I typically prioritize with this kind of self-communication:

1. Carpe Diem the heck out of life and your job, Christie.
2. Wait, what’s on our list today?
3. Gain respect by being respectful.
4. What can I cook that I can post a pic of on Facebook and further my obnoxious obsession with the “likes” it gets?
5. Okay, the list again.
6. RULE #1: Don’t watch viral videos. They are funny and they are TOXIC for productivity.
7. Prank call Mom for a quick laugh. No more Mountain Dew. They’re toxic too.
8. Stop it! The LIST!
9. Communicate effectively, lead by example, and work hard to showcase the hard work of others so that they may receive the credit they deserve.
10. Meet deadlines + make clients happy + get more clients + make everything happy for everyone = Satisfactory time spent in your twenties = CARPE DIEM NOW and CARVING OUT THE FUTURE DIEMS WITH LESS OF THE CARPE.

I may be a little scattered, but I mean well and I try to prioritize my focus as much as I can, what, with all these distractions these days and all.

That being said, I had the most monstrous day today.  Truly, it was one for the record books.  I’ve never felt so proud of my focus and distribution of energy; so eager for more, sad for the day to end, so excited for tomorrow….so…..

Exhausted.

Then, I look at my Facebook for the first time all day.  Already so proud of my lack of engagement with my typically welcome distraction, I post the most random and unrelated statement to my current situation:

“Isn’t it cool how uncooked shrimp are all grey and sad looking, and when you throw them in the pan, they turn pink and look all happy?  I’ve never seen anything like it!  They’re like, ‘COOK ME! EAT ME! LOVE ME!’”

I got the comment:

“Don’t forget “DIP ME!” which prompted me to think about things on a very casual and uninhibited philosophical level.  I then posted:

“Recipes for success in food and in life…I’ll let you determine what the “life” definition is…”

And then, when I was deep in a pensive stare into the distance, pondering the creation of the stars in the sky and contemplating my navel, the most beautiful thing brought me back to Earth.

My sorority sister – one whom I’ve always admired for her unbelievable spirit and ability to find the “sweet” in the sourest of hours posted the most endearing thing.  She said:

“I’m pretty sure the shrimp would disagree with you…”

Attached was a YouTube clip of the song “Les Poisson” from The Little Mermaid.

I clicked on the video from my phone, as us Gen Y kids do, and was immediately transported back to my childhood.  I grinned, then I giggled, then I gawked at my own terrible behavior towards prawns.  Then I pressed PLAY again.

I continued to do this until I could remember ALL of the words in this animated clip of Disney nostalgia.  Then, I remembered a few more things to put on my list of responsibilities:

1. It is okay to watch videos.  Not stupid ones or negative ones, but one a day less than 2 minutes that will enable you to rock the “Carpe Diem” mantra.
2. It’s okay to spread this joy.  New thought? VIRAL JOY.
3. Prank “text” Mom instead with some viral joy.  Streamlining, and yet still as funny.
4. By adding this simple step, it could even help in communicating effectively, leading by example, and maybe, just maybe, it’s okay to showcase your youth sometimes when you are trying to empower those around you.
5. Meet the deadlines, get the clients, make everything happy….Carpe, Carpe, Carpe….STOP.  Successful time spent in your twenties is also carving out time to laugh, too.

There you have it, folks. “Carping” and “Diem-ing” without killing any “carp” or “shrimp”.  List also went from 10 to 5.  It’s neat sometimes how much easier life can be when you take some of the stupid out and add a little joy.

So I live to seize another day of the twenties; restored by reminiscing on the wee-days, reserving the right to laugh and post and post and laugh, all while preserving some future R&R for the thirties and beyond.

Thank you, Shannon for your revitalizing and effervescent spirit, thank you Little Mermaid, and once again – thank you Facebook.  Oh, and I’m sorry shrimp – but you still are really good when I eat you, and with a growing career, I need to maintain a healthy diet.

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No cartoon shrimp were harmed in the writing of this piece.  But I ate a few real ones…