
Social Media…many of us have a love/hate relationship with it. We rely on it for so many things: staying in touch with family and friends, networking/finding like minded people, learning, purchasing, marketing, entertainment, and a variety of other reasons. It’s hard to recall a time when we lived without it and when we try to describe that time to others that weren’t around, we get disbelieving looks It’s such a part of our lives that we don’t know what we’d do without our beloved apps.
The days of calling a friend on a telephone that was attached to a wall with a long over-stretched cord or using a library and whatever books or encyclopedias we had at home for our school projects are long gone (sigh). But enough reminiscing! We must move forward – but proceed with caution as shiny objects and conveniences are never without their downfalls.
Along with the conveniences and useful applications come:
- Addictions
- Mental & Physical Health Issues
- Challenges with Verbal and In-Person Communication
- Bullying
- Misinformation
- Skewed Views of Ourselves and the World Around Us
- Loss of Privacy
- and Much More
Now, I know some of you would say that it is each individual’s responsibility to monitor and keep themselves in check but the companies marketing these apps know what they are doing. We know that they target and lure us in with crafty content and ads to keep us coming back for more. In addition, it is in the human DNA to flock to the drama and the train wrecks. Sometimes it helps us escape the madness going on in our own lives (or so we think).
Instead of beating ourselves (or others) up because of the habits we and society as a whole have formed, let’s move towards minimizing some of the negative impact that social media has on our lives. Here are some tips:
- Limit the number of apps you use – be very selective
- Don’t start or end your day looking at social media
- Don’t read or comment on negative posts
- If posts from a particular person or group tend to make you feel bad about yourself or the world, hide or block them
- Track your current usage for each app and set usage goals – ask someone to help hold you accountable (that could be me…wink wink)
- Think about other things you enjoy doing and make a commitment to spend more time doing them (as opposed to being on Social Media)
Be kind to yourself and know that if you are feeling unmotivated, cranky, sad, stressed and want to isolate, that Social Media could be part of the problem. If you realize that it’s an issue and you are unable to change the pattern, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You are not alone. This blog has only touched the surface of the challenges we face and those challenges don’t discriminate by age, it touches us all – so whether you are a teen, or have a few decades under your belt, feel free to reach out to me. I AM HERE TO HELP and LEND AN EAR.
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˜Hugs