3 Ways To Practice Self Care On Social Media
In the digital age we live in of technology and social media, a necessity to set proper boundaries has ensued. I myself have struggled to find a balance that protects my mental health and healthy relationship within social interactions. Over months during a pandemic, as well as transitioning from high school to college I have found 3 tools that can be useful for both influencers, and influencees. No matter your age.
I have found 3 tools that can be useful for both influencers, and influencees. No matter your age.
1. Purging Your Follower and Following Lists
Earlier this year, I thought about how many people I interact with on any given day that I know nothing about. It was scary to think about the amount of people I had met coming to a new college campus who already followed me on Instagram. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said “Oh I probably already follow you on Instagram”. With this thought in the back of my head, I thought about starting over. Starting fresh with a new Instagram, one where I could easily control what content I was consuming and whom I was consuming it from. But being realistic, I have too many attachment issues to fully say goodbye to the account I’ve used over the span of 6 years. So, one night when I was bored out of my mind with nothing to do, much like many college students I went through my follower and following list. One by one I deliberated on which profiles ‘brought me joy’ Marie Kondo style. By the time I was done, I felt that much closer to feeling more in control of my social media self care.
“Marie Kondo Style.”
2. Initiating Positive Scrolling
The first time I heard the word positive scrolling, was when I was indeed, scrolling on Instagram. It was hard to describe why I felt attracted to the idea of only consuming content that engaged in positivity. I think it had something to do with why so many people go to the media as an outlet. The drama, the idea of inquiring in someone’s private life and getting an up close and personal seat to their every move. It can feel like you’re living someone else’s life vicariously. Letting go of this adrenaline rush that is followed often by comparison, is hard. Which is why I actively sought out things that only made me feel positive about my consumption of social media each day. So I made the most elementary approach to do so. I looked up on google, influencers that aligned themselves with values I also could appreciate. Such as body positivity (Lizzo, and Ashley Graham), important life lessons (WeTheUrban) and Social Justice Transparency (CHNGE, and Diet Prada).
nobody:
me:
3. Don’t Be Afraid to Go Ghost
Mental health breaks have been prominent in higher education. Taking a sabbatical physically has been common for not just students but also teachers and professors. I want to normalize social sabbaticals too. The idea of ghosting from cyberspace used to inflict anxiety. I would worry about being out of the loop and having major fomo, but now it’s exhilarating. A whole new world opens up, and I’m not fully detached from cyberspace. I still check emails and text messages, as well as indulge in my daily dosage of Netflix and Youtube. Hitting that x button on Snapchat, Twitter, or Instagram is radical self care (even if it’s only 4 minutes and you go right back to the app store to redownload!). Think of it as liberation to do other things you haven’t in a while. Like maybe some other forms of self care such as reading, SLEEPING (because I know us students get very minimal sleep) or giving someone a call you’ve been meaning to talk to for a while. Whatever your heart desires.
lol anyways…
Moral of the story: you can find self care in any capacity. Something that’s a major part of your life always requires a break. It can even help you to appreciate it more. So lean into the modern version of “going off the grid”; I know I do!
