But why is it important to take a break from social media? I can tell you three good reasons why, and they're all for your own good.
Social Media Isn't A Real World
I will be the first to admit that social media can consume you at times. Doing what you love online, meeting new people, reading comments on a thread and many other things that we get on there can somehow take us in. But, social media is not a real place; and if you spend too much time on it, you may end up forgetting about the important things and the important people in your life in the real world. You'd be shocked to find out how much people in the real world around you miss having conversations with you. So make time for your life offline and live it. Socialise in the real world too and build healthy relationships.
Comparison
Another danger of social media is comparison. When you spend too much time on social media, you end up comparing yourself to others, forgetting that most people only post about their good stories and never about their failures. Also, think about the "beautiful" face and body standards of social media. I mean, we can never be the same! Comparison can end up killing your mood and self-confidence. If you find yourself starting to compare yourself to anyone on there, be it comparing your physical appearance or the places being travelled to, take a moment, take a break - it is not worth it.
A Negative Place Can Have A Negative Impact On Your Mental Health
When you spend too much time in a negative place, in this case, a social media platform where accounts you follow are negative, you may end up being a negative person too! Remember, what you digest online can end up being what you believe in and if it's too much negative that you digest, that can cause a problem for you. Too much negative isn't good for your mental health. Make an intentional decision to follow accounts that share positive thoughts. However, because of algorithm and other factors, you may end up seeing something you don't want to, something that could not be good for you and if you start to see a lot of those negative things, pause and take a moment for as long as you need. No amount of selfies are worth your mental health.
You don't need to fit in when it comes to social media. Be you, do you and let people see the real you. And if it gets overwhelming, take all the time you need to yourself - to reflect, to understand who you are and come back more confident in who you are. Have you ever felt the pressure to constantly show up online? How did that make you feel? Do you think social media has a hand in how people look at themselves?
Spot on!!! Nothing but the truth
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comment!
DeleteI couldn't agree more that you need to tune into the vibe of the social media platform you are using. I left some because I didn't feel comfortable with them. It is also a good point about comparisons and how people generally only post their successes. Worth remembering!
ReplyDeleteAgreed. You don't have to stay on a social platform you're uncomfortable with. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteDefinitely! Social media can be a force for good, but it can also be very destructive and time consuming!
ReplyDeleteVery time consuming. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteGreat call to action and awareness of the effects social media may have on our well-being. I loved your message on being authentic in these platforms and allowing ourselves to take a break from it whenever we need one. Perhaps it's good to be aware of the first signs we're getting overwhelmed online and do something about it before we run low. Thanks for such a great blog post!
ReplyDeleteI think we sometimes underestimate how not taking a break can affect us. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteYou've hit the nail on the head with the first pointer. I think it's so important to understand that what people show on social media is only real to a certain extent. It's a snapshot into somebody's life. A tiny glimpse. I know plenty of people who get bogged down by what they see on social media, especially when it comes to parenting. It's hard not to compare, but staying in your own lane and knowing people only post their highlights is so important.
ReplyDeleteClaire.X
www.clairemac.co.uk
I like how you broke it down. We can't compete online. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteThis is such an important post! There was a time when I spent way too long on social media and it was really negatively impacting my mental health comparing myself to everyone else. Now I spend a lot less time on it and try and focus on my relationships with those around me instead. Thank you so much for sharing x
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear you've changed the bad habit and I hope you feel your best in the real world too! Thanks for your comment!
DeleteUnfortunately (!) I work in social media so it's virtually impossible for me to switch off, except for when I go on holiday, haha. But you're right, where possible we should spend less time online and more time living, that's spot on.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're balancing well and the online life doesn't weigh on you. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteSuch a great article Jeannie, everything was spot on! I take regular breaks from Instagram in particular as it really does my head in!
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that. Socials should never make us feel less. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteGreat post! People say some crazy things to drive engagement but if you take it to heart, you could end up feeling stressed out over time. I try to limit my time on social media on the weekends so I can enjoy my surroundings in the real world.
ReplyDeleteCrystal | www.amazingbaby.app
I couldn't agree more! You're right. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteWonderful post! Taking a break from social media from time to time is so important. It can negatively impact our mental wellbeing because there’s so much going on. It’s a great reminder that it’s not a real world. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you could come through and leave your thoughts. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteExcellent blog, I completely agree! The important things in life are in the real world. I often take breaks from social media and use it mainly for my blog.
ReplyDeleteThere's so much going on online. A break won't hurt. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteIt's important to be able to filter and recognise that social media world isn't always the real world. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteYou are so right! Everyone needs a break from social media at times. In my own life, I try to avoid negative people. Thanks for sharing. Great post!
ReplyDeleteKeeping negativity away really helps. You make a good point. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteFully agree. I’ve paired down my SM to just Twitter (deleted my FB and IG accounts as I found them too negative) and for Twitter I’ve managed to cultivate a relatively safe space among the writing/blogging community. Great post!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you've let socials that were negative for you go! Your well-being should come first. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteThis is so important! I recently took quite a long break from my blog because I didn’t really know what to write and then when I came back I have a lot more inspiration! X
ReplyDeleteYes yes! I'm happy to hear that. Thanks for commenting!
DeleteLove this post! Thankyou for sharing! We definitely get lost in the world of social media, so it's important we take breaks 🤎
ReplyDeleteI'm happy you could stop by! You're right, we do get lost in the social world. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteThese are some really good points. I try to make sure I schedule content so that I can stay off social media at certain points. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLauren - bournemouthgirl
That is actually a really good idea to have things scheduled so you can spend less time on social media! I like that. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteI haven't deactivated my facebook but I don't post there, and I'm not active unless to message back and fore with my twin, and to check fandom groups. Since the last election I've really hated it there, I keep it for messenger, and the groups tbh. I am a lot less stressed not being on there, and not caring what people post tbh. I'm even less inactive on instagram, I mostly check every few days to see what some voice actors from a fandom I am into posted tbh lol. I'm mostly on Twitter, and it's helpful to me because I really don't know most people from my real life there, and I mostly use it for fandom and blogging and that makes it enjoyable. :)
ReplyDeleteAww, Tiff. I'm so happy for you. To be honest, as long as you're less stressed being off a certain social media platform then being off of it is really worth it. I'm less active on Facebook too and I like it that way.
DeleteThese are some really good reasons why you should take a break from social media. I schedule content so I can spend time off social media. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLauren - bournemouthgirl
That is a great idea - to schedule content. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteGreat post! And couldn't be more correct. I took two years away from Facebook, and also recently unfollowed everyone on Instagram before refollowing a much smaller number of people, and it's a much nicer place to be now.
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that. Social media can be unfriendly, we do what we have to to make it better. Thanks for your comment!
DeleteThese are some good points about taking a break from social media. I try to have time away from social media. I always feel much better for it. Thank you for sharing
ReplyDeleteLauren - bournemouthgirl x
I'm happy to hear that you take some breaks and that it helps. A break matters x
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