These days when I look at social media and its reports and commentary on news and events and I just want to throw my phone on the ground so hard that it skids into the road, is rolled over by a truck, and then the unrecognizable shattered pieces fly from behind the truck over a cliff and into the ocean (especially if, in my fantasy alternate universe, that chain of events weren't irresponsible to my life and to the environment).
Real talk...social media has been a bummer lately. I struggle with wanting to stay connected to family and friends and stay engaged in the world around me while also wanting to turn down the noise and not feel overwhelmed by bad news and vitriol. What a dilemma!
I don't have the magic answer. But I have developed some habits to give me some space and freedom while still consuming social media. Here's some ideas
Create some boundaries. I turn off social media at least one hour before bed (good sleep hygiene) and I avoid looking at it for the first hour I'm awake. I also challenge myself every so often with taking a day off social media or limiting to one time a day.
Curate your feed. Don't just follow politicized news sources or your hostile cousin Kevin or your friend from high school who reports EVERYTHING. While there are dumpster fire feeds you can follow, there are also very insightful, uplifting, and lighthearted feeds. I personally recommend:
- The poetry of "Nayyirah Waheed"
-The "adorable_animals", "awesome.earth", "people are awesome" feeds
-The Colorado Couples and Family Therapy page (obviously)
Be the Change. Don’t like negative posts? Post some positivity! Not only will you get good feedback, but you may provide someone some much needed relief from their feed.
Setting boundaries around social media can not only help your mental health, but it can also bring a new light to things around you, like your relationship! Enjoy all the time you will have while you are not scrollin’.