In today’s age, it seems as if we live in two worlds: our real life and our life online. While it is assumed that these two are similar since the person behind both lives is the same, this is not always the case.
Social media is a place where we can control how others view us. We can edit, photoshop, and filter every photo until our 145lb self looks 110lb. Then, we post our best, most posed photos to create the idea that we are just that perfect in real life. As great as the satisfaction of posting a beautiful picture may feel, it is false gratification if we are using it to be validated by others.
The online world is addictive and toxic. When we let others’ opinions of ourselves override how we feel about ourselves, we enter a danger zone and give our happiness to the hands of our online followers.
So, how do we prevent this from happening? And more so, how do we stop it if social media starts to consume our lives? Below are my suggestions:
First, we must realize that social media is not real-life. A majority of the users on social media do not look as perfect, fun, or happy as they are portrayed.
Second, we must learn to be in the present moment. When we are so focused on capturing the perfect moment or angle, we tend to lose sight of the simple joys right in front of us. Another side to this is the concept of FOMO. My cousins and I learned at a young age that FOMO, or the Fear Of Missing Out, is very real. It is the idea that you do not want to miss out on any fun or exciting moments happening. Social media brings a whole new level of FOMO. It allows you to see what everyone else is doing at any given moment. Thus it displays a whole variety of activities you are missing out on.
To learn to be present at the moment is to learn to trust that you are not meant to be elsewhere.
Third, limit your time on social media. Maybe set aside a time of day where you allow yourself to view certain apps. Or set time limits on your apps. Apple incorporated the “screen time” function to set these limits. As lame as it may sound, sometimes we get lost in the online world, and it is beneficial to receive a reminder alerting us on how much time we have spent on the app.
Lastly, delete social media. This can be temporarily, permanently, or maybe just one app. But there is no one forcing you to keep your social media accounts. Even if it is just for a week, you will be aware of all the ways it was controlling your life that you did not even realize. If people decades ago could survive without receiving x amount of Instagram likes, so can you.
Above all, put that phone down! Social media has benefits; however, it is addictive. It is vital to physically take your eyes off of your screen and onto the people and places in front of you. You don’t want to spend your years through your online self just to realize you don’t know how to enjoy life outside of it.
sent with emphasis 