How has social media affected you? It would be an understatement to say that current content is usually packed with emotions. Apart from the constant stream of information about the pandemic, there is a myriad of opinions regarding government response and an almost cathartic sharing of personal experiences. At times, you find yourself getting surprised with your own emotions, not fully comprehending why you feel the way you do. If this happens, it maybe a signal that you’re already doing too much. You might be overwhelmed and overstimulated with everything that is happening in both your online and offline life. If you’re guilty, then you’re someone who I would like to call, “wired”. You’re too close to technology and you’re consumed by so much content!
Digital media use is like maintaining a healthy diet. It begs to be balanced. You cannot allow yourself to consume all negative news all the time, no matter how good it feels to always know what is happening. Chips and junk food are sinfully delicious but too much of anything, especially the bad, compromises health, doesn’t it? Be wary of how it is affecting you. Take a pause in order to recognize when social media use is no longer helpful. Here are some steps to help you out:
- Be Aware: Be aware of who you’re interacting with and how you are interacting with online. Be aware of why you use social media. The question isn’t always about how long you use it. You also have to consider the type of content you’re subscribed to. Be aware of how you’re interacting and see how it is negatively or positively impacting you.
- Balance: Strive to find a balance between your online and offline life. What do you do after your online meetings, engagements, and idle browsing? Do you keep or enjoy any real-life leisure activities? Are you of how you spend your time every day?
- Curate: Choose what to consume. Curate your content around your values. Make careful choices for your well-being. You may be friends with a lot of people but if what they’re putting out there irks or makes you feel uncomfortable, you have a responsibility to protect your headspace. Choose to unfollow.
- Detoxify: Know when it is time to disconnect. We need to disconnect sometimes to appreciate real-life situations in real-time. Filter out what you see online because you shouldn’t be acting as a sponge to everything. If you wish to live a more positive life, be wary of adding negativity to your social media posts and activities.
- Ensure: Secure your digital well-being by trying to understand how your mind and body are reacting to content you consume. Take good care of yourself. If you find yourself anxious, don’t shun the emotion and take the time to understand your feelings. By doing so, you tend to gather more helpful solutions.
Digital use should sustain you. It should inform you, nourish you, and help you. If something is no longer helpful and beneficial to your well-being and you unconsciously cling to it, you may end up becoming wired and tired. Prioritize your well-being and that of your family’s. My hope is that my posts are one of those things online that you deem to be informative and nourishing!
A reminder: If social media seems too much, maybe it’s a call for us to take steps to ensure our digital well-being! Yes, we can hit that log out, then unfollow or curate our feeds. Remember that our inner life is more important than the newsfeed! – WITH PAU DE VERA
Photo by Corinne Kutz on Unsplash