"Less social media, more everything else." ~ Unknown
It's been a long time since I was personally involved in social media. Some time ago I made the conscious decision not to scroll online anymore and to concentrate my time on IRL. I was shocked when I calculated. Scrolling for just twenty minutes a day adds up to fifty days over ten years.
As a busy mother of six, my time is precious and I don't want to spend my minutes, hours, days, and years getting drawn into the vortex of social media.
However, I admit that because of social distance, I want to reach for my phone and scroll as a distraction to see what's going on (although no one is really going anywhere) or to feel connected.
So far I haven't been withdrawn except reading a few specific posts (you know the ones that get into your inbox … check out the latest information!).
Everyone wants to feel connected in this uncertain and surreal time, and there is nothing wrong with using social media to keep in touch with friends and family and keep up to date with the latest news.
But even during a pandemic, we can get into the usual social media traps – by comparing ourselves to others and feeling depressed. And then there is the stress of overwhelming yourself with a full feed of coronavirus articles – some of which are not even accurate.
If you want to scroll more, keep these five tips in mind for a more targeted experience.
1. Do a spring cleaning.
Having time and space away from the hustle and bustle and noise of our busy life can make it easier to remove interference. Use this section to decide who you really want to spend time with online. Channel your inner Marie Kondo and get rid of everyone or anything that is not fun.
I would also suggest not following brands, groups or product lines that do not have a positive body image. Research shows that constantly looking at pictures of people who happen to be smaller than you has a negative effect on your body image.
It is normal to compare and despair, which is why I focus on friends and family members who love me unconditionally and brands or products that I love and that promote an inclusive self-image.
You may also want to stop following pages that often contain scary articles or content that often contain negative, hateful comments.
2. Remember that everyone is suffering.
Even in the midst of a global pandemic, some people seem to live a perfect life – like the celebrities who "protect themselves" in luxury and who seem to be immune to the pain and struggle many of us face.
But the reality is that there is not one person in the world who has a perfect life. Even if their Instagram feed was filled with happy moments, they had other moments, days, months, or even years that were full of struggle.
Think of the people you know. There is no person who has not experienced any form of suffering. This goes back to Tip 1: You should consider following anyone who only publishes their highlight role. It is refreshing to deal with and follow people who show all sides of their reality!
3. Be curious.
When your brain prompts you to pick up your phone, you become curious about what you really want at that moment. Additional time indoors can drive you a little crazy. Wondering what do I think or feel when I pick up my phone? Am I bored, scared, tired or scared?
If you are able to sit and address these uncomfortable feelings, you can get past them much faster than trying to bury them with a senseless scan of your feed.
You may need some fresh air, a break from work, a snack, a new game to play with your kids, or a FaceTime session with a friend.
There is nothing wrong with scrolling, but be honest with yourself if time on your phone can actually do what you really want it to do.
4. Set a time limit.
Set a timer for the time you want to use for your feed. You can even use one of these apps to block social media for the rest of the day.
If you find that you are reviewing your feed to avoid a difficult project or task, try using the Pomodoro method to do both small and large tasks.
And if you are unemployed and have a lot of time to fill your day, you should create a daily schedule so that you are not aimless and nervous – perhaps with time for movement, time for meditation, time for reading, time for creativity. In this way, your days at home can actually enrich you, instead of feeling drained and exhausted.
5. Believe you are good enough.
No matter what you see in your feed, you know that you are 100 percent endearing, worthy, and supportive. There has never been a time when so many people have had to deal with the same circumstances. Instead of using this time to compare how other people deal with their self-quarantine time, look for connection, kindness, ideas, inspiration and humor.
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This extra time at home may be the perfect time to slow down, stop taking selfies, hang up the phone, and practice distancing yourself on social media. What would you do with fifty additional days in the next ten years?
About Andrea Dow
Andrea Dow is a certified life coach and certified yoga and Pilates teacher. As an anti-diet and body image coach based on the principles of health in all sizes (HAES) and intuitive eating, she specializes in helping mothers find peace with their bodies and no longer be obsessed with their food to be. She is enthusiastic about the joyful movement and creator of her online yoga program. Andrea currently lives in Boston with her husband and six children. www.andreadow.com.
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