Why do you have more than one social media and/or email identity?

Today I was tidying up my Google+ page and found two other Google+ me’s. I have five gmail accounts that I use regularly – four are connected with social media accounts that serve the public, and one is personal. I have five Twitter and six Facebook pages. Again, all serving a specific purpose.

Every time I come up with a new idea I get tempted to create another social media account. However, I can barely keep up with the ones I have now. I have a relatively good following on one brand name (3.5K between Twitter and FB). I use Hootsuite to manage everything.

This is what I have. The question, though, is why do I have more than one? For me, it’s my creative outlet. I like to write. I like to be heard. I like to be useful. I don’t think it’s vanity, but the amount of “I” statements listed here do not make me innocent of being vain.

Sometimes I wonder if my use of social media consumes too much of my energy. If I were to close all of the above mentioned accounts, then I feel I would be forced to find another way to express my creativity.

The biggest factor influencing my interaction on the Internet is the amount of time I have on my hands. I am on permanent disability, unable to work full-time as I would prefer. Social media connects me with people and alleviates the loneliness I feel from being housebound 24/7 (with the exception of medical appointments).

This is my why. What’s your why?