I took a bit of a hiatus from social media last week. I was still dabbling on it here and there, interacting with friends, sending silly memes and looking at pictures of my niece and nephew. It was a busy week so I had much to occupy my time. Busy week aside, I find it helpful to come up for air once and a while. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – you name it – it’s an ocean of media and if I’m not careful – I feel like I’m drowning in it.
I’ve taken up the habit of observing my state of mind before I pick up my phone to look at my social newsfeed. If I’m in a good place mentally and emotionally, I find it doesn’t overly affect my mood. However, if I’m tired, lonely, upset, even hungry – I find the images and messages a bit much….
Look I’m so happy!
Look I’m so successful!
Look I got the lighting just right so I appear to have the perfect body – love meeeeeee!
It makes me want to throw my phone against a wall (especially if I’m hungry).
But even more annoying than the pseudo joy people constantly bombard their social platforms with is my tendency to compare. It’s almost impossible not to. We’re human – we naturally envy others. It takes effort NOT to desire what others have, or in this case project and at least say they have.
In light of this, I take breaks. I turn off my phone, go for a walk without it, specifically look away from people’s accounts that I know I’m envious of, and instead I have a little chat with myself;
“Hey Jelayna, what are you grateful for?”
“Hey girl – have I told you how beautiful you are? Don’t believe me? Too bad, it’s still true! Still don’t believe me? Ask your mom – she’ll back me up on this!”
“Hey lady – how can you help someone in your life? Take your mind off you and your Instagram and instead – go be a decent human being.”
I find these conversations helpful. They keep me sane and provide perspective. As a yoga teacher, it’s hard to deny how much social media helps you connect to students, fellow teachers, and the yoga community. However, it is also naive to deny the dark side of too much time spent online. Studies have shown how social media can be a contributing factor to depression. In light of this, I take steps back, breathe and look around me at the beautiful world we have the privilege to live in, in real time, not in twitter time. EVERY SINGLE TIME I step away from it all – I feel better.
“Comparison is the thief of Joy” – A brilliant quote by Theodore Roosevelt. With Teddy’s advice in hand, I am stealing my joy back by stealing time to myself. No phone, no Facebook, no comparison. Just silence, gratitude and the grace of God to keep me grounded.
