WE WERE ON A BREAK: SOCIAL MEDIA
I spent this past weekend NOT scrolling through social media. What did I do? I enjoyed my surroundings, I read from my Kindle, I relaxed, I left my phone in the other room, I engaged with those around me...you know, things that used to be considered normal. I did pop onto the August Challenge Facebook Page where I took the time to post a workout and to see everyone’s success posts of each day, but those were positive things to see and do. I even challenged them to take their 30 min of movement outside on a walk to enjoy Nature while leaving their phone in their pockets. And those few days without social media in my life were relaxing and enjoyable.
Why are we so “obsessed” with social media? Sure, we are able to read and see photos of those that we do not live around anymore as it can be a means of remaining in touch, but can’t you call/text/send cards to make it more personable? You’re viewing a post that someone created for EVERYONE on their friend’s list, and possibly all of the internet realm depending on their privacy preferences, to see. Wouldn’t a private text mean more?
Do you really want everyone to know each and every little detail of your day or to know that you are on a trip, or went on one? Whatever happened to remaining quiet with your life and enjoying its moments to yourself instead of making them known? Posting each and every moment of your life takes away from the EPIC ones. Plus, what if you post so much that people just lose interest in what you are posting?
Social media is a valuable tool, if used correctly. People are able to share your joys with you, they are able to gain interest in what you are passionate about, they are even able to help promote your business. But where do you draw the line of doing these things entirely too often? Keeping others engaged is important, but you need to find your balance of doing so. No one wants someone that brags about their life all the time.
There are a few things you can do to help disengage from social media:
-The most obvious is to delete the apps off of your phone completely. However, sometimes you need Facebook to find out what the daily specials for a particular restaurant.
-If deleting the apps completely is not something you are able to do, at least “turn off” the notifications. You will then only see the number of “likes” you receive when you actually view the app. I do that and it’s nice.
-Another suggestion, unfollow the “negative content”. There is no wrong/right way to determine what you see as negative or not on your feed. On Instagram, they are removed from your followers. You can even go as far as to have them unfollow you. On Facebook, you are able to unfollow someone while still remaining friends with them. Do you have someone that is only your “friend” for any reason other than just being a good and caring person? You can restrict them. You two are still friends, but they are super limited to what they are able to view on your profile. Unfortunately, sometimes, people need to be blocked to have mental clarity as that person is entirely too toxic for you and your lifestyle. And it is ok to do any of those things to keep your social media positive and geared towards where you’d like to and need to be with your life.
The time that you normally spend scrolling social media, think of things that you could be doing instead- enjoying outside, walking/running, lunch with friends, reading a book, spending time with your pup, napping in the beach, taking up a new hobby… The less you spend on social media, the more you will have the chance to engage your mind and to learn new things.
