Creating a healthy balance with social media.
Do you remember life before social media? If you don’t you may wonder what the world looked like before we were so intimately connected. The biggest part of that time for me was the sense of space, privacy and simplicity. Growing up in New Zealand we could feel pretty isolated from the rest of the world. I have enjoyed how social media can connect us and I have connected with people I probably wouldn’t have if it wasn’t for these platforms. However, fast forward a few years since the inception of social media and it has changed drastically. The sheer volume of content and the relentless doom scrolling is keeping us disconnected and addicted not to mention the comparison trap we can fall into, which affects our self esteem and self worth.
I reached a point where I had enough. I wasn’t feeling good. I was pouring so much time and energy into showing up online for my business that it was affecting my wellbeing. The anxiety around likes and comments and drumming up things to post. I began realising that this isn’t a world for me to be in for my business. Once I began to have those realisations I began to worry a little. Doesn’t everyone who has a business have social media? It builds trust and connection with people so they can see you right? But what I found is that with the relentless scrolling you needed to make sure you are creating content that captures people’s attention quickly or they move onto the next thing. I didn’t feel comfortable in that space. I wanted to create meaningful content where people can settle into a space that isn’t about scrolling.
I started taking a step back by deleting the apps on my phone and I immediately felt a sense of release. I really started delving then and researched running a business without social media. Do I really need to be on there? I can create valuable content on my website in the form of blogs and create a newsletter that people might like to sign up for. I could still show up without compromising myself. It sounded a bit old school but my heart felt good. My soul felt good. I was gentling stepping into alignment. Was I still feeling worried? Yes. I was questioning things a little, am I just afraid to be visible? No. It wasn’t that at all. It was about alignment and what I felt was authentic in my approach to showing up online. The chatter in my mind was still reasonably loud but I was beginning to quieten it down a bit. I knew that by trusting myself it would work out. By being honest and authentic my work will develop and grow. I will actually show up even more for my clients in this capacity instead of being in a space where I didn’t feel I belonged or wanted to be in.
I found a wonderful website called Soul and Self and it really helped me make that final step to deactivate my business accounts. I would recommend checking out Belinda’s services if you are feeling the call to step back from social media.
Social media is fine if you create a balance where your mental health is not being affected. Your self worth is not tied into social media. Your wellbeing is the priority and making sure you live in alignment with what feels right for you.
Pip
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