Social media … some hate it, some love it.
After all, it can be stressful. There are toxic conversations, unhealthy comparisons, and, of course, it can be a massive waste of time. It’s easy to imagine how much simpler things would be without social media in our lives.
On the other hand, there’s a lot to love about it. There’s no doubt that social media helps people stay connected, especially during the pandemic and isolation / lockdown periods.
All of this leaves many people wondering how to use social media wisely and mindfully. Is there a healthy way of using it that empowers community and connection without the excess baggage?
Let’s take a moment to consider the benefits of social media, beyond staying in touch.
Connect with like-minded people who share your unique interests. Sometimes it’s hard to find people in “real life” with the same passions and interests. Social media makes these connections possible.
Learn new things and share ideas.
Stay up to date with community events, such as concerts or festivals.
Research travel ideas, recipes, DIY projects and explore hobbies.
Ultimately, social media is a tool. Instead of giving it up, we can make an intentional choice about the role it plays in our lives.
HOW TO CONSUME SOCIAL MEDIA MINDFULLY
Healthy social media habits start with self-awareness. Think about the social media platforms and accounts you visit most and reflect on how they make you feel.
Do certain outlets leave you feeling guilty, angry or inadequate? And do others leave you feeling positive and inspired?
Consider why this is—sometimes it’s the source of information, but other times our feelings are a reflection of whatever’s going on in our lives right now.
There are no right or wrong answers, but the better you understand yourself and your feelings, the better equipped you are to make wise choices about social media use.
SET INTENTIONS FIRST
Before you login, take a few minutes to set your intentions. Are you going online to:
Catch up with friends?
Make plans for the weekends?
Zone out for a bit and watch funny cat videos?
Find inspiration?
Yet again, there are no right or wrong answers (we all love funny cat videos once in a while!) but clarifying your purpose before you go online gives you a sense of direction. Instead of mindless scrolling, you can go directly to the accounts or pages you want to see and avoid the ones that don’t serve your intentions.
SAY GOODBYE TO PEOPLE YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but it’s worth repeating—it’s absolutely okay to “declutter” your friends list. If an account, group or page regularly upsets you or makes you feel bad, then it’s OK to walk away.
On Facebook, you can “unfriend” people, or if you prefer, you can unfollow or snooze their accounts. This way, you get a break from their content without completely disconnecting.
BEWARE THE COMMENT SECTION
While there are exceptions, online comment sections can be toxic—so proceed with caution.
I can only speculate as to why, but there’s no doubt that social media empowers people to make comments that they wouldn’t say in a face to face conversation. There’s often a complete lack of respect for opposing points of views, and they’re rarely a place for open and honest discussion.
LOG OFF, UNINSTALL OR TRACK
If you know that social media is a problem for you and you want to use it less often consider:
Logging off after every session and not saving your password – the extra step of having to log in will often be the “pause” you need to reconsider.
Deleting the apps off your phone – we tend to be more absent-minded with our browsing habits on our phones than on our desktop computers.
Tracking your usage – there are many free apps that will track how much time you’re spending on your phone (my phone does this automatically!). Sometimes realising just how much time you’re spending online is the first step in changing your habits.
ALTERNATIVES TO SOCIAL MEDIA
Finally, I think it’s worth mentioning that we often use social media as a form of escape. When we’re feeling frustrated or bored, we turn to our phones to buffer our feelings.
If this happens to you, here are a few alternatives to consider:
Instead of ranting or complaining on Facebook, try sharing your feelings in a diary.
If you catch yourself turning to social media for a “break”, why not practice real self-care instead?
Are you looking online for beauty and inspiration? Why not take a moment to enjoy the simple things in life instead? Make a hot cup of coffee, read a few pages of poetry, or get some fresh air.
hese are just a few tips and tricks that have helped me become more mindful when going online. Always remember that social media is a tool, and it’s up to each of us to make wise and intentional choices about the role it plays in our lives.
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