"After pages and pages of everyone exhibiting only the best parts of their life, we are left feeling a little deflated, a little overwhelmed and certainly not much happier than when we jumped on"
SOCIAL MEDIA
It is a little addictive right?
If you are anything like me, I have noticed lately the constant and unsconscious reach for my phone with every intention of aimless scrolling..
After pages and pages of everyone exhibiting only the best parts of their life, I am left feeling a little deflated, a little overwhelmed and certainly not much happier than when I jumped on (this DOES NOT APPLY to scrolling through food....)
In saying this, social media is definitely a wonderful tool that we have been provided that allows us to connect and share with others. However, I feel that the dangers lie behind our INTENTIONS.
Are you scrolling because you are bored? Feeling empty? Are you posting a certain picture to share a message or convey feelings? Or are you posting to fill a void of self worth and the need to be showered with “likes?”
I’m trying a little experiment and hopefully you can join too!
Social Media Free Mondays
It’s one day right? Shouldn’t be too hard? I must confess and say that I gave it a trial run last Monday.. no Facebook, no Instagram, no Snapchat. It was actually HARD and I found myself continually reaching for the god damn phone.
Here are 10 signs that you may be a little addicted to the socials..
1. Pictures of your life are published EVERY meal/ excursion/ experience/ social interaction (look, I am guilty of this too).
2. You do things for the gram rather than doing them for yourself. For example, are you dancing like a freak because you love it? Or are you dancing so someone can catch you on film and post it?
3. Your phone is the first thing you check upon waking and the last before sleeping
4. You can’t recall how long you have been on your phone for/how long you have been scrolling
5. You struggle to concentrate on much else before turning to your phone
6. There is a little anxiety when you do not have your phone by your side/ access to it
7. No wifi causes a lot of distress
8. The amount of likes you receive on a photo evokes anxiety/ dictates your self-worth
9. Not enough likes affects your self esteem/ deletion of the photo
10. Social media is your prime form of procrastination
Do some/many of these resonate with you?
If reading this was a little scary or eye opening, try becoming more mindful of your phone use instead of subconsciously flicking before you realise you have even picked it up…!
I think it is really important to address your feed too. Re-evaluate the quality of your feed. Are you following a bunch of insanely thin models or accounts that inspire you with words, art or creativity?
A couple of other things could include:
Choosing a day to be completely social media free
Turn off your notifications
Restrict the time you spend aimlessly scrolling, you may want to set a timer or use apps that restrict the amount of time spent on your phone (I know iPhone’s have a setting for this)
Do not bring your phone into the bed and avoid scrolling as soon as you wake up
Find a buddy and help each other to become accountable for reducing social media usage
GET OUTSIDE
Personally reflect on the reasons you may turn to social media for a quick fix
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