Many blogs and books have been written about the negative impact of social media. They believe that it is often necessary to detox.
But I believe otherwise. If we maintain a stable and disciplined mindset, we don’t need such detox. This is what I do to enjoy social media.
1-
Choose only one platform; I chose Facebook and maintain just that. In so doing, we don’t spend time scrolling from one platform to the other.
2-
Keep only a reasonable number of friends; those who are really great friends that you know personally and proved to be good for you; those that you totally trust; those who cheer along during your triumphs and pull you up when you’re down. It is always good to catch up with them if getting together is not possible. That way you can still connect..
3-
Avoid joining groups if they are not useful to you and if there is nothing to be learned from seeing their posts. Definitely keep a group of your clan/family if there is one. Consider also a group within the community to keep you updated on common concerns.
Sometime ago, my sister included me in a cooking community. While it was great to learn cooking skills from professional chefs, keeping up with postings to match their’s is tiresome. I coped but it consumed a lot of my time.
Moreover, there were so many people in the group that I don’t know personally. I became wary that they could access my posts and other personal details. I left the group.
A close friend invited me to join a home-and-garden group. Initially, I was just looking at their posts. I didn’t even feel posting anything of my garden or home because most of their posts are magazine worthy. Not that I’m not proud of my garden which is quite unique to my taste but may look mediocre to others. I left the group.
4-
Avoid posting every detail of your life. For your safety, avoid posting personal details; refrain posting your every move and activity; your schedule and where you are going.
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Do not feel obliged to post something everyday; and only when you have a post-worthy item to share. Keep in mind that it is futile to greet your partner happy birthday or anniversary if he doesn’t have a Facebook account.
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Keep a mindset not to compare yourself with others. Always feel grateful and happy for who you are and what you have. If not, this is when feelings of insecurity and anxiety start.
You will see posts that will make you insecure, envious, jealous and feel left out. Just remember that you only see that fraction of their lives. Know that at every point, no one is excepted from coping with a difficult life. So take hold of yourself; don’t let them affect you in a bad way .
Understand these scenarios that may possibly affect you.
—You see posts of a family always eating in high end restaurants and you ask yourself when was the last time you dined there?
What you don’t know is that maybe the family is living beyond their means; their credit card is always in the red and are worried how to pay next month’s bill.
—You see a wife often post Michelin-star-quality meals. In reality, her husband expects that for dinner everyday. She feels it’s drudgery and is often tired.
—Someone keeps posting fabulous parties she attends, all dressed up in glamorous gowns. Then you say: I wish I can go to such parties too and you feel left out. What you don’t know is that she hates parties but for one reason or another she needed to go; but she’d rather relax at home with a good book.
7-
Establish a time to open your social media account and stick to that. Discipline yourself so as not to interfere with your work schedule or doing housework. Remember that everything excessive is not good, so let’s not overdo social media.
I’ve been on Facebook for more than a decade and I never felt needing a detox. In fact, I look forward to the time I’ve set to scroll my newsfeed.
I’ve reconnected with town mates; with relatives and friends who now live abroad. We enjoy relieving interesting memories of the past and sharing how we are coming along.
Everything is great, no need for detox.
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