Scrolling through your Facebook feed after an election can be draining. You may “like” passionate posts and articles from your like-minded friends, you find out how different your thinking is from other friends, and you’re either totally absorbed in the political news or want to hide from it. My feed has a good mix of people venting about how their candidate lost, others who are thankful that their candidate won, and others who are pleading, “Just get along everyone! Stop spreading hate!”
If you’re tired of what you’re seeing flood social media, you have two options. Option number one: go hide and don’t return to Facebook until February. Option number two: do your part to change the social media atmosphere. This option is not only affected by what you post, but also what you click on and ignore; so it’s not only about content, it’s a science of algorithms. That is why I am proposing 7 hashtags to use on social media between now and January to help positive and constructive content “trend” on news feeds.
1. #redcups
This may seem silly and insignificant to the election and making the world a better place, but it is so appropriate to start here! This hashtag is about the holiday Starbucks cups and it is already at the top of the trending list! Last year it was an anti-Christmas controversy, but this year it’s a returned tradition. People are excited about the seasonal drinks and they seem to be over the anti-Christmas speculation. It’s also going to be a different design. When you go to Starbucks and get your red cup, you can write a positive message on it, take a lighthearted selfie with friends, or take an artsy Instagram photo of the cup with a good book and #redcups when you post to your sites. An already popular hashtag can help make your posts stand out on social media.
2. #PrayForOurNation
Some of us can’t shake the negative things we see happening in our country and sometimes we are eager to share so that others can know what’s going on. I actually love it when some of my friends share lots of articles because I like to stay informed. We just have to figure out what it is we can do about these things that are happening, and prayer is an essential place to start. If more of us respond to the grim headlines with #PrayForOurNation we will remember to do it while encouraging and reminding others to do the same.
3. #GodBlessAmerica
This can be used similarly to #PrayForOurNation. God has blessed this country, though we go through a lot of growing pains. It helps to remember that and pass it on. Think about our founding principles, the fact that we are a government by the people and for the people, and our sense of patriotism. Share uplifting stories and pictures about what is good in America and #GodBlessAmerica!
4. #ThankfulNovember
It’s not too late to jump on this social media bandwagon and share some gratitude. The idea is that you post on social media something you are thankful for every day in the month of November—not just Thanksgiving when everyone does it! It is good for your heart and soul to make a conscience effort to be grateful every day and when you share it, you might inspire someone else to do the same. At the very least, the people who are scrolling their news feed for anything but politics will stop and look at your post!
5. #ChristmasIsComing
If you make it your goal to #ThankfulNovember throughout the month, you’ll need something for December right? #ChristmasIsComing can be used to show off your decorations, present wrapping, or advertise items from your business. You actually don’t even have to wait until December. We all know some of you already have your trees up!
6. #RecipeOfTheDay
What I love about this hashtag is how it lends itself well to goal setting while giving your followers something to look forward to (after all, most people like food). You can commit to try a new recipe every day for 30 days, until the end of the year, or even the whole year. After a while people will begin to anticipate your posts each day and find themselves looking forward to seeing what’s next on their news updates. You can also easily change the word “recipe” to something else like “photo”, “thought”, “tip”, “lesson”, and a host of other options to fit your interest. I think you’ll find that you’re giving yourself something to look forward to each day as well!
7. #iwillnotcomplain
My friend Joni inspired this one. She is doing an #iwillnotcomplain project for a whole year and I think it’s brilliant. Let’s face it, we are often tempted to complain and we usually don’t give ourselves a reason not to. I searched social media for other posts that contain this hashtag and I have yet to find a negative post. I think it’s safe to say that this hashtag can have a positive effect on your outlook.
This list is just a place to start as you can use any of these hashtags or come up with your own. I want to inspire you to start trends on social media that help us through the healing and restoration process as a nation. Some people would rather be the ones to share anything but politics. Others want to take action to make things better. I hope I have given you some ideas about how to accomplish both and you’ll go contribute something encouraging, entertaining, helpful, inspirational, enlightening, or motivational on your social media sites. Go #makesocialmediagreatagain!