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5 Ways To Limit Social Media's Toxic Effect On Your Confidence

I know I am not alone in my addiction to social media sites.

Alyssa Miller

Aug 05, 2019

Eastern Michigan University

136

5 Ways To Limit Social Media's Toxic Effect On Your Confidence

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Instagram. Snapchat. Twitter. Facebook. I know I am not alone in my addiction to social media sites. While it has done a lot of good by bringing people together, it is not as innocent as it seems. Social media can do significant damage to people's self-esteem, confidence, and overall positivity.

Social media gives me FOMO (fear of missing out, for those of you who don't know). Whenever I see someone post about a vacation they are taking, I feel lame for not taking one. If I go on social media and see friends going out, I worry about why they didn't invite me.

These social networks also make me feel bad about myself. If someone gets a promotion at work or gets accepted into graduate school, I feel insecure about where I am in my life. If I see someone lose weight, I feel insecure about my body. It doesn't help to constantly see weight loss photos and beautiful people in their swimsuits on my suggested Instagram feed.

I hate that social media can make me feel bad about myself. And I don't think I am alone in the feeling. But I also enjoy the other aspects of social networking so if you are like me, consider the tips I practice!

1. Don't go on social media when you are feeling down!

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We all have bad mental health days. Days where we are negative and feel like we aren't good enough. When I feel this way, I try to stay off of social media. But that sure is a lot easier to write than to do!

I also try to do something nice for myself. Like maybe I will take a nap, walk my dog, or go shopping instead!

2. Set time limits on your apps.

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If you want to limit your daily social media use (or that of any app), you can track app usage through your Apple phone. This has helped my boyfriend and I notice when we have been on an social networking app for too long!

3. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself.

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If you follow a fitness account on Instagram that posts all the time and only make you feel unhealthy, unfollow them. If you are friends on Facebook with a person you had one class with who is living your dream life, unfriend them.

At first it seems difficult or unreasonable but as I started unfriending and unfollowing, it just got easier! Now my feeds are filled with people I want to know about!

4. Delete accounts you no longer use.

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If you have unused social media apps on your phone, delete them. I don't use Tumblr anymore so I got rid of it. Deleting it prevented me from being tempted into opening the app and then getting down on myself.

5. Get into another hobby!

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If you want to limit phone use, you need to find something else to do with your hands. Like I try reading or playing catch with my dog instead. You could also play an instrument, crochet, or write.

Social media may not be toxic to you but it can be for many people with mental health issues. If you have any issues with your self-esteem or confidence, try to consider the amount of time you spend on social media. Maybe that is part of the reason. Limiting the time could make you feel better about yourself.

Social media was not designed to make people feel bad about themselves but sometimes it feels like it is. There are ways to still use social media and not feel this way; these tips are a good way to have a phone and social media balance.

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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5 Ways To Limit Social Media's Toxic Effect On Your Confidence

I know I am not alone in my addiction to social media sites.

1. Don't go on social media when you are feeling down!

2. Set time limits on your apps.

3. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself.

4. Delete accounts you no longer use.

5. Get into another hobby!

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The Best Lines from the Fab Four

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all I got to give if you say you'll love me too. I may not have a lot to give but what I got I'll give to you. I don't care too much for money. Money can't buy me love

All you need is love, love is all you need

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, Take these broken wings and learn to fly. All your life, You were only waiting for this moment to arise

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

Obviously the best superpower.

There have been many lessons learned.

1. The importance of traditions.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

3. How to give back.

4. What the word "community" really means.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

10. How to work for what I want.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

12. How to be humble.

13. To be well-rounded.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

16. To be prepared for anything.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

18. How to be creative.

19. To brush off gossip.

I have never been so thankful to know you.

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

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