What did we do with our time before social media? Don’t get me wrong, social media has its perks. You can stay connected more easily with friends and family, which is a plus for those of us who have moved away from our home town. It has also brought together people from all over the world and been a source of community for those who may have struggled to find their tribe. Let’s not forget about all the fabulous animal videos the internet and social media continue to provide us with. These amazing videos seriously just warm the heart! However, it definitely has some serious downfalls.
With all of the incredible technology advancements, we are able to stay plugged in to current events happening in real time at any point during our days. Unfortunately, that does not always mean that it is the best thing for us. Our brains are not designed to process all of the information that we are consuming on a daily basis via social media apps (this includes the good, bad and ugly). Sometimes we are glued to our phones and various apps even though the images we are looking at are traumatizing. Yes, it is important to be informed and current with what is going on in the world, but to what extent and to what degree of frequency?
Social media can also have a major impact in how we view ourselves and those around us. It can alter our self-talk and cause us to think less of ourselves. We see people posting about all of the things they are doing, places they are going and side hustles and that can make us feel like we are not doing enough. A friendly reminder- most people do not post when they are struggling. We all struggle and have ups and downs. It’s important to remember that and find ways to support ourselves when we start comparing. If you would like some additional support to help with self-esteem and confidence, lets connect https://amandamaurocounseling.com/contact-form-amcounseling/
My like/hate relationship with social media has brought me to make some adjustments on how I use these app. Perhaps some of the things that have helped me can also bring support to you. Just remember to listen to what your body needs above anything else; let it be your compass. Which brings me to my first point:
* Pay attention to how your nervous system feels while you are on social media apps. Do certain apps make you more anxious than others? For me, LinkedIn is a trigger. I feel like I am not doing enough compared to everyone else. It can create feelings of anxiety and I definitely feel it in my chest and stomach. Tuning in and listening to what your body needs in those moments can be extremely helpful. Our nervous system will let us know when it needs a break, it’s just about knowing how to listen to these messages.
* Try seeing what it feels like to turn off the notifications to your social media apps. Like most, I watched the Social Dilemma and immediately after it ended I turned off all of my notifications; this was something that was actually recommended in the movie. It was actually such a relief to not have my phone light up and feel like I was a moth the flame. It also helped in cutting down my screen time- which is always a plus!
* Apple has a pretty cool feature on their phones where you can schedule in “Downtime”; it is in the “Screen Time” section of “Settings”. Essentially you are deciding what time to “turn off” your apps; I have mine set from 22:00-10:00- during this time all of my apps go dark. Of course, you can still open them if you want, but I found that this feature helps to reduce screen and app time.
* Decide how much time you want to be on your phone. Another feature under “Screen Time” is called “App Limits”. You can set a time limit for each app. It helps to keep myself within the amount of time I want to be on my phone.
* Which brings me to this: think about how much time you want to be on your phone. Set a goal and see how to goes. We all use our phones for different reasons which means the time on our phones will vary. That’s ok! Setting a goal/challenge for yourself could be an interesting way to cut back on screen time or at least certain apps.
Have you imagined what it would be like to take a break from social media all together? I struggled with this idea for a long time and it wasn’t until the end of 2021 that I decided to challenge myself and remove all my social media apps; I did not delete my accounts, just removed the apps from my phone. The first few days were difficult as I had to break my routine of mindlessly scrolling. But once I got through those days, I actually really enjoyed it; I found it freeing. I stayed off of all social media from beginning of December 2021 until mid-January 2022. I have yet to re-download the apps to my phone, but will occasionally go on via my laptop. Side note- it is shocking how many ads there are now on FB and IG. Seriously, every 2-3 posts on my FB feed is an ad.
While visiting family and friends recently, I went to a friend’s house and he said that his whole apartment was an IG ad. Whether or not we are conscious of it, it’s shocking to think about how influenced we are by social media and the ads that pop up on our feeds. If you haven’t seen the Social Dilemma, please take some time to do so https://www.thesocialdilemma.com/ . It really helped to open my eyes to the ways in which SM has been used to influence and direct our purchases, friends, political ideas and social groups.
If taking a break or a step back from social media is something you have been thinking about, I say go for it! Make small, realistic goals for yourself and test the waters. You might be surprise how much you enjoy time without the apps. If you have other suggestions that have helped you on your journey, please share them!