While I could most definitely list out 100 different ways that social media has negatively impacted my life, my mentals, and my overall well-being, I thought it’d be more digestible if I started with 10. This is just the tip of the iceberg.
- It’s a comparison trap. How can you appreciate what you have when you’re constantly looking at what everyone else has? I’ll answer that… you can’t.
- It’s a challenge to come up with original thoughts and ideas (I also blame AI for this).
- My attention span is sh*t and I struggle sitting in silence. I just want to listen to the birds.
- I could have read so many books by nowwwww. I probably could have written a book by now.
- “What I eat in a day” videos. Enough said.
- I’ve been swept into unhealthy cult-like followings of online business coaches and influencers. That’s a very dangerous, very slippery slope.
- I didn’t talk to my friends as much as I’d like (why would I when I can react to their post?)
- Can’t brush my teeth, too busy watching a random stranger do it online instead.
- It’s made me feel extremely left out. We don’t need to know what everyone is doing at all times.
- Am I doing enough? According to social media, the answer will always be no.
I can truthfully say that there has never been a time (not once) when I’ve used social media and felt good afterwards. Never. How could I possibly partake in something that goes against one of my #1 values and priorities in life: my mental health? I just, cannot. So when I feel myself getting pulled back into old urges, oh- maybe it’ll be different this time, I have to come back to this list. Gentle reminders. And I encourage you to make your own and do the same.
Wishing you less time on your screen,
-Emily