4 Ways to Use Social Media Without It Using You
3:09:00 PM
A group of young professionals are all hanging out for weekend brunch at *the spot* (every major city has one, in Chicago its this place).
They're laughing, talking and having a great time.
In the midst of this, one friend tweets out how much fun she's having with her girls, another is making a SnapChat video of her delicious chicken and waffles and another is posting the groupie they just took on Facebook.
According to Pew Research Center, 74% of online adults and 89% of millennials, aged 18-39, use social networking sites. Now more than ever, friends, families and employers expect you to be fully engaged in social media. Our society's emphasis on social has been a catalyst for positive change in many ways. But what happens when you're overloaded with the snaps, tweets and Tumblr posts?
I found myself asking that question earlier this week. Having active social media presence and being up-to-date on the newest app is essential in today's world. This is especially true if you're if you work in the media realm. But too much of anything can be bad for you! I found myself feeling drained and distracted from all the messaging, and yet could not stop checking my pages.
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(This me, btw)
Anxious to to get a better handle on my social media woes, I sought some advice and did some research. If you find yourself feeling over statured with social, here are four ways to effectively use social without it using you:
1. Don't Compare
This is a big one! It is easy to get caught up in comparing your life to ones you see on social media. "My hair will never look like that, my relationship isn't that happy, I didn't get a new promotion this year." Remember your journey is your own and everything looks better on social media. Nobody's life is perfect and happiness comes from within.
2. Engage in More Meaningful Topics
This is something I have utilized to make my time combing through my timeline more fulfilling. If you see or read of a topic that interests you, engage with the author, use the hashtag, share your thoughts. You can learn a lot and speak with some great people along the way.
3. Follow Your Favorites
Make sure to follow people that bring positivity and uplift to your timeline. One of the most ineffective ways to use social media is following toxic or negative people. That negativity has the potential to hop off your screen into your real life. Make sure to distant yourself from that, and follow your mentors, friends, family and inspirations.
4. Take a Break
Even with all the above, sometimes you just need a break. It is good to disconnect and unplug from technology. That break can bring you clarity and focus, recentering your thoughts on what's important.
So try that new Insta filter, share a Snap of your newest outfit or tweet out your thoughts to #BlackTwitter. Just make sure it's in moderation.
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