Protecting Your Mind: Part 2

In Part 1 – I wrote about being your own life editor – being in control of the content that you allow to enter your mindspace. It is my humble opinion – there is another source of communication clutter which can harm your psyche when consumed in excess.

Let’s talk about that right now.

SOCIAL MEDIA

As routine readers know, I am not in love with social media.

I say NO to posting a carefully curated and selective snapshot of my life for every family member and friend (plus strangers for that matter) to voyeuristically participate in the events of my life.

So I don’t choose to send out photos into the ethereal universe about my newest ‘this or that’ or edited snapshots of my trip to ‘wherever-and-who-really-cares’, USA.

I believe, it is the antithesis of living a life full of genuine happiness, quiet confidence, and authentic-in-the-moment living.

But of course, I could be completely, totally, and absolutely wrong. (I’m wrong about a lot of subjects every single day.)

….BUT during MY days here on earth, I choose a much different way to travel though life – I choose not to communicate primarily via a screen on a phone, computer, or tablet.

So why then – do I feel the compulsion to write about this topic?

It all circles back to protecting your thoughts.

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Indulge me a tiny, little moment here to share a story:

A friend sent a gorgeous family photo via text… she knew I wouldn’t see it on her Facebook page bc I don’t do Facebook. I replied with a complimentary text commenting how magazine-worthy the photo was and how happy everyone looked. She called a few days later and told me the reality of the situation. She spilled the beans about the very human backstory behind the perfect picture. No one would suspect the high family drama which occurred right before the photo was taken. And as soon as the ‘happy snap’ was over – the relatives retreated to their respective hotel rooms in an attempt to heal their hurts. It was a disastrous vacation of epic proportions – so I was told.

Of course, no one would ever post a picture of every member of the family crying and gnashing their teeth. But this universal obsession of pretending our homes, our travels, and our children are always camera-ready and perennially perfect is a waste of our precious time.

It is beyond belief that people I know and love actually pretend to portray a perfect persona… …and it is equally a waste of time for the person viewing this manufactured data.

A friend – who is a regarded therapist – said social media has played a significant role in her practice. There is an increase of depression and feelings of low self-esteem in female baby boomers. She believes there is an obvious correlation in her patients who spend hours viewing other people’s social media posts and experiencing overall dissatisfaction with life.

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And, there’s another type of social media content floating out there which can cause very real damage.

It is the hateful and noxiously negative posts that seem just so casual and common these days.

It is incomprehensible how easily people weaponize their keyboards to write the most vile and vicious remarks about someone’s deep thoughts and beliefs. And, people aren’t shy about posting snide and snarky comments about the appearance of people’s children.

I’ve even heard of famous A-list actors admit that they had to delete their social media accounts because the comments were getting way too disturbing and outwardly threatening.

So, rather than cull through the social media of friend or foe for hours, just entertain the idea of using the nonrenewable resource of time each day to do something creative or generous or helpful or productive.

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Are there good aspects of social media?

Of course, there are. Few things in life are binary.

Some friends and family members sneer and jeer at my lack of social media presence.

Others try to convince me to change my mind- constantly.

Still some list the attributes of being on social media 4 hours per day. They tell me how they post updates about fundraisers for worthy community causes. How they found key employees for an unexpected job opening in their business. And, my favorite stories always involve locating a beloved, missing family pet.

Understood. There are the good and positive uses of social media.

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So to wrap a ribbon around this topic and tie it with a bow, I will end with this reminder.

Be cautious and conscious about the content that enters your precious headspace.

There’s been (and unfortunately may be in the future – who know?) negative and hurtful events in my life. I had NO choice. Horrible just happens sometimes. I totally get that. But when the ball is in my court, I choose to fill my moments with good people, helpful information, and great food.

Thank you for reading.

Come back so I can share my newest hobby with you. Have you discovered your new hobby, yet? Maybe this next post will help you figure out your new avocation.

We’ll lighten it up a little!