Social media (noun): forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content. (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
https://unsplash.com/photos/w33-zg-dNL4
You know it. You have it. You love it. You hate it.
From Myspace and AOL Instant Messenger to Instagram and YouTube, social media has managed to weasel its way into our lives one way or another. It would be hard to deny that social media is one of the biggest, if not the greatest, influences in our everyday lives.
Recently, I had an epiphany based on the problems social media has caused me. Not that I don't take full responsibility for these problems, social media's just the sole ignition to fire. Many of the issues I struggle with are not being helped in any way by the aimless scrolling and envy, it's just making them worse.
Procrastination. Lack of self-esteem. The dire need for validation. Comparison. Holding onto the past. Disguising reality. The list could go on.
https://unsplash.com/photos/w3jVXGkYZCw
That is not what I want. I don't want to be tied down by an endless list of negative emotions and actions. I don't want to let a 1GB application define who I am.
NO!
For one week, I decided to log out of every social media account I have and delete each application from my phone. Yes, I understand that one week is such a minuscule time to turn-down, but I had to start with a goal I knew I could achieve. And I did.
Within seven days, I was wholly shook.
WHY DIDN'T I DO THIS EARLIER?
In those seven days, I accomplished so many things that otherwise would have been pushed off till the last minute. There was no needless desire to scroll through and stalk the lives of people I never met, wishing I could have what they have or look the way they look. No pointless snapchat 'conversations' of sending the exact same picture repeatedly, keeping me glued to my phone, accomplishing nothing. No staying up till 3 in the morning, aggressively refreshing feeds waiting for something interesting to pop up. None of it.
My mind was completely clear.
Falling so accustomed to social media, I always felt as though I couldn't do without it. That everything had to be communicated to the virtual life social media has created. But after these seven days, that mindset was completely turned around.
My life is my life. Their life is their life. Take in and appreciate every single moment you are given in this life. Share your milestones. Stay connected with your peers. Just don't feel like you're required to update your every move. The best memories are the ones we share personally between ourselves and those we care about.
Refreshed by my epiphany, I have decided to continue my absence from social media. Now, I wouldn't say it is going to be a complete withdrawal, but a significant pull from. Social media does have positive aspects that I do really enjoy, there just needs to be limitations set on my part so I don't fall back into the rabbit hole.
I highly suggest to anyone who feels that social media has negatively impacted them, to take a break for a bit. Save some battery power and enjoy what is around you. You only get to experience your life once, don't waste it.
