How To Have a Healthy Relationship With Social Media and Little Ways to Live Mutually

Ok, so I’ve been thinking, I’m obviously not an expert on healthy relationships… or am I? I’ve been on social media pretty much since Facebook came out and I would petition for it to come to my college. I remember when Instagram came out and while I hopped on the train, it was different back then, than it is now. People pretty much LIVE on social media. I truly believe some people live just to post, and do not have a hard divider between the two worlds. That is not healthy to me. We should be living, then posting about it later. However, there is a fine line since my line of work is pretty much posting everything. How can I possibly be living so many interesting things to post all the time. We don’t, so as a content creator, we create it! And here’s the thing about actually creating something fun and visually appealing, that has proven to be an experience in itself. There are a lot of events solely for instagram photos, or the ‘instagram experience’. Which is fun, but it’s important not to get lost in that world. And I do treat it like a job. So when I’m not working, I’m just trying to live in the moment, raise my kids, and create a life we enjoy living in. Don’t get me wrong, it can be confusing and then I go opposite, and forget to even post our family days either for memories or to share with family. Then I’m posting only for work, and none of the unfiltered moments (you know, like albums and albums of kids doing things, birthday milestones, summer activities).

• 

• 

• 

I do have a few little things I keep in mind as a normal human, a mother, and then as a businesswoman whose business is reliant on social media.

1. If you are on social media for work, hold work hours. This is coming from failing at this for many years. I would be replying, commenting, jotting ideas at like 11pm at night. All branches of work for me. Now I keep that within my office hours and if I want to scroll at night (after I throw my 9pm post up of course.. I know, sometimes I’m a slave to it), then I scroll specific accounts. For me it’s funny meme accounts, or positive enlightening inspirational posts. Not fashion, because then my brain hits work mode and then I’m stressed.
2. Stop caring what others think. If you are posting strictly for approval of others or if any of that stresses you out, don’t do it. Post for you, or to share something that means something to you. Not to keep up with the Joneses. Or Kardashians
3. Clean your follow list. I’ve had to do this often on both Instagram and Facebook. FB has gotten out of control with all these article shares or random soap boxes, it became exhausting. It feels good to read about things that bring you joy, so if it doesn’t at all, don’t follow.
4. go to actual news sources or reputable online publications for your news. Not people’s viral shares or opinions
5. Let weekends be weekends. I no longer post on the weekends mainly because I’m not taking that time to be on, but I also don’t post on Saturday night because I figure no one is on social media anyway. And we of course are all in different phases in life anyway, but I make a conscious effort to limit my time of being online.
6. Be present when you are around people, whether it’s a friend’s house, being with your kids, or just lounging at home.
7. Stay in your own lane. This can apply to those doing this blogging job, but also those that are not. Comparison kills joy, and it’s just so true. Be happy with who you are and what you have. This doesn’t mean set aside dreams and goals, it’s just a lot harder on your mind when you are constantly comparing yourself. It makes the period of growth and hard work seem like eternity, when it doesn’t have to!
8. keep the genuine people and cut the rest. You don’t have to be connected to people you are not actually friends with. I have learned this by experience too. I thought I had to, but it’s much more enjoyable to just surround myself with my tribe, and people who support me and vice versa.
9. If you want an audience reaction, use conversational words and topics. You don’t have to put up a braggy post, we are not here to make other people feel bad or less than. Try to put out positivity. No one wants to constantly hear debbie downer. Yes we are all human and want to identify with other humans. If your day or life is not going that way, talk to those close to you. If you want to share it, do it in a way that can help you grow and heal. Maybe you will connect with someone you need to. So i’m not saying don’t do it at all, because life is real, just think about how.
10. Remember social media is just an aspect of life. The posts and photos are not everything, and it’s not always the whole story. What’s crazy is that I have found some amazing people on it, I have been able to stay close with friends that are far away, I’ve made true and fulfilling connections with people through it. But it was always more than the post, or the comment. I let it become more than the image, and let it grow a relationship that carried into real life.

I hope this helps you, I would love to know if you have anything that you do specifically!

• 

• 

•