I have taken the big leap and joined the world of social media. I realize I am a bit behind the eight ball on that one since I have literally had a Facebook account for ten days.
Until recently, my thoughts on social media have been plagued by what CBT therapists call black and white thinking. I was only looking at one side of the argument… the negatives. In doing so, I lost perspective on some of the benefits social media has to offer.
When my kids requested to start using Instagram, my knee jerk reaction was to say “no.” However, my husband and I tried to make a mindful decision by weighing out the pros and cons. Not surprisingly, I was far more thoughtful in my decision making when it came to my kids than when making the same decision for myself.
Ultimately, we decided to give it a try. So far, so good.
A few months ago, I became increasingly aware of feeling disconnected from people. It made me reconsider my take on social media. It seems that is how everyone else keeps up with each other while life feels so busy. I am still not sure where I stand, but I have attempted to decrease my black and white approach by considering both the advantages and disadvantages.
My most powerful objection to social media stems from the research linking it to depression. We don’t necessarily need to know what we have been left out of, nor do we need to know how many people “like” what we have to say! We also have a tendency to look at pictures from social media and assume everyone else’s life is progressing more perfectly than our own. People don’t typically post pictures of their kids having tantrums, or videos of themselves in pajamas with no makeup and doing house chores. Social media tends to give a very skewed representation of life.
I won’t run you through my whole list, but I had two other primary objections. The first is the time suck. I have clients telling me non-stop that they are spending hours on social media instead of more productive activities. It also always seemed to me that if you were posting everything you did, you weren’t fully experiencing it in the moment.
Despite these drawbacks, watching my kids interact with their social media has also highlighted the primary benefit. Social media is a great way to stay connected. Especially with people you might otherwise lose touch with, or never have the opportunity to meet. While I don’t think social media is a substitute for time spent fostering friendships, it allows connections that life’s schedules don’t always support. Just as importantly, these windows into the perspectives of others can keep us from getting too caught up in our own lives and losing valuable insights.
Recognizing these benefits for my kids encouraged me to make the leap myself. It has been amazing to connect with so many people from my past and to know more about what’s going on with everybody. I have been made aware of events I wouldn’t otherwise know about, had some good laughs and read some really uplifting stories. Long story short, I have a lot of interesting people in my life with wonderful things to say!
For now, my experiment with social media will continue. I will keep an open mind and work to find the best approach for myself. One that balances maximizing the benefits with minimizing the disadvantages. In other words, there are approaches to social media that don’t have to be as extreme as “yes, or no.”
I would love to hear if anyone feels like they have found the right balance!
I have not found the right balance of time. From someone that suffers anxiety, and never knowing what will trigger it, I find FB to be one. A trigger. Although I try not to lurk it, I feel compelled. My phone even gives me a weekly average of how many hours I spend on social sites. For me, I am fighting a battle within, to disconnect, unplug. Shut the blinds and close the doors. I’ve been on social media for to long and the effects are palpable. It’s time to take a break and shut the world out.
Thank you! I think knowing your personal triggers is such an important part. I am definitely finding there are parts I lime to participate in and parts where I need to scroll faster😉 I have no doubt that there is an optimal time limit that differs for each of us
I have not found the right balance of time. From someone that suffers anxiety, and never knowing what will trigger it, I find FB to be one. A trigger. Although I try not to lurk it, I feel compelled. My phone even gives me a weekly average of how many hours I spend on social sites. For me, I am fighting a battle within, to disconnect, unplug. Shut the blinds and close the doors. I’ve been on social media for to long and the effects are palpable. It’s time to take a break and shut the world out.