Navigating Social Media Challenges: A Journey to Deliberate Living and Mental Well-being
Why is social media sometimes such a challenge, you know? It's like a double-edged sword. We log on there for inspiration, cool decor ideas, awesome recipes, homesteading tips, parenting hacks, hilarious reels – basically everything. I used to think I was the social media champ. Like, it didn't bother me at all. I loved scrolling through what everyone was up to. It's fun! But let me tell you, that's not always the case.
I took a break from Instagram back in January 2023, mainly because of the time I was spending on it. I didn’t think I had a heart issue; it was more of a distracted issue. I kind of used Instagram as a way to numb out when life felt a little overwhelming. When my kids were fighting, I might just hop on there afterward so I wouldn’t have to feel my feelings. Of course, I wasn’t exactly conscious that this was what I was doing, but patterns began to emerge. When I was overwhelmed, I used the gram to numb out. Well, it turns out that I loved my hiatus from Instagram so much I didn't reinstall it until June this year. Ever since my break, I've been way more tuned in to my feelings and what sets me off.
Sure, I find loads of awesome stuff on Instagram, but I also end up going down these weird rabbit holes. I'll be clicking away, and suddenly, I'm deep into someone's feed, and I'm like, "How did I even get here?" And then, I start feeling kinda meh. Why doesn't my home look as put together as theirs? Do all these folks seriously live in these massive, picture-perfect houses? And do any of these women even have jobs? Should I set up a camera and pretend to dance with my kids in the living room? Maybe I should snap pics of every meal and toss some fancy flowers next to the plates?
Look, no hate on the ladies doing all that! If it brings them joy, power to them. But the real issue? It's my own heart. I'm crawling out of a seriously rough patch. When you're knee-deep in a tough season, you're just trying to survive. Seeing beyond a few hours into the future? That's a struggle. So picture-perfect feeds don’t exactly feed my soul. They actually leave me feeling inadequate more often than I’d like to admit. Even if it’s on a subconscious level, I know those feelings are there.
So since I’m on this journey of being delicate, aware, and intentional with my thought life, I’ve created some ground rules for myself. The first is that I will:
Create BEFORE I Consume.
This is huge for me! I believe that the Lord created us in His image, and since He is a creator, He instilled in us the desire to create. Engaging in the act of creation has a profound impact on our minds, leaving us with a sense of accomplishment and deep satisfaction. Moreover, when we prioritize creation, we minimize the risk of imitating others or acting out of obligation. By praying and staying connected with the Holy Spirit, we tap into His power as we create.
Another crucial step I take on social media is:
Unfollowing accounts that trigger negative feelings.
If you find yourself feeling triggered every time you come across someone's feed, don't hesitate to hit that unfollow button. There's no shame in it! I'm gradually discovering which accounts truly leave me feeling connected and seen, and which ones just foster feelings of inadequacy. Pay attention to your mood when browsing through someone's account.
Whatever you choose to do, just remember that you get to decide if something is life-giving to you or not. Start really paying attention every time you are on social media. Are you avoiding something? Do you feel good when you close out? The better we start paying attention to our thought life, the healthier lives we are going to lead. Ask the Lord to help illuminate things for you. And remember, God has given you a beautifully abundant life right where you are! Don’t let someone else’s idea of what life should look like, steal from the one you have been given.
