Social Media & Me

I’ve made a decision, one that I’ve been toying with for a few years…

I frequently take long breaks from certain social media apps, namely Facebook and Instagram. After a few days of adjustment, I notice that my mind has an easier time being still, taking in information, and leaning to ‘be’.

I also find my relationships change, including the one with myself. I’m much more present with the life that’s in front of me and because of that I’m not missing out on the little things that contribute to my happiness. Like, smiles in the street or chats with people while walking Lucy.

I’ve been trying different ways to have “a healthy relationship with Social Media” and what I’ve come to determine, is that it’s not design for us to have a healthy relationship. It’s actually design for us to have an addictive relationship with it. One that causes the rise and fall of dopamine and triggers anxiety and depression, as well as OCD behaviours (constant opening and closing the apps), studies show that people will even go through a withdrawal period when trying to “cut back”.

We know from ongoing research that social media is not good for our mental health. It triggers more sadness than well-being, less moment-to-moment happiness and less life satisfaction.

“Comparing our lives with others is mentally unhealthy

Part of the reason Facebook makes people feel socially isolated (even though they may not actually be) is the comparison factor. We fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others as we scroll through our feeds, and make judgements about how we measure up.”-Forbes.com

I’m not saying that all Social Media is bad for everyone, or that everyone should stop using it, I’m only speaking about what I think is right for me and sharing my experience.

Before my recent hiatus from social media I felt ‘time starved’. As though I didn’t have any time for the people, things and needs that make me happy and healthy. I had to get honest about where I spend my time, energy, effort…

The hardest part to admit is that I didn’t even want to be on these platforms, it was a “should”, or “I have to” action.

I don’t know how this will work out or if I’ll ever go back on these platforms, but I can give it a try. Test my theory that, for me, life is better without these specific apps.

Time is precious. Life is precious, so how do I want to use these special gifts? I’ve known in my heart for a while that these apps don’t serve me. I feel worse after using them. I feel scattered and anxious. I feel pressure to keep up with posting or communicating with others.

I’ve had a lot of fear about letting go, I mean is it even possible? lol.

Fear of losing connections, fear of disappearing, fear of missing out, and fear of how will it affect my business.

In my last blog I wrote about Letting Go to Receive, what I failed to mention is the key to Letting Go is FAITH.

My fear is valid and real. So I honour it, I let it speak, I don’t minimize it or push it away. I acknowledge it mindfully. Then I turn to my tools of Mindful Self-Compassion and connect to Faith. It’s an Emotional and Spiritual experience that’s hard to put into words.

I remind myself of the grey areas of life, and that nothing lasts, change is constant and that it’s ok to change my mind, if I choose to.

Are there Social Media platforms that do work for me? Yes. I love writing these blogs, and my newsletters. I love creating yoga and meditation videos for my clients and others on YouTube. It’s a slower pace that suites me and my creativity better. (And I love Pinterest for inspiration for crafting. cooking and decor!)

For some reason, these apps don’t leave me feeling the same negative way, and I don’t find myself mindlessly scrolling but rather using for a tool for my creativity.

Thanks for letting me share and reason this out with you! It’s been a bit of a process, as you can probably tell ;)

Bottom line, this year I’m putting into practice what I know will bring more joy, peace, love and true connection. And it' feels good.❤️