I’m using this new year as an opportunity to take social media breaks whenever I feel the need. It’s not like I don’t want to be on social media, but it’s affecting my mental health in a way where I need to step away.
January 25, 2022
I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I set one.
When coming into 2022, I did decide to make some changes. I wouldn’t even consider them goals, more like necessities.
Social media is like a collection of peoples perfect moments, and oftentimes I find myself comparing my appearance to others. This is never healthy but looking at these types of photos all day makes it even worse.
Wishing that I could look like the people I see on Instagram has really depleted my self worth, and I’m not alone in this struggle to find the balance between social media and real life.
Social media does a great job of communicating societal standards such as physical appearance and personal achievements. This comparative nature of these apps can lead to feeling inadequate and anxious.
But there has to be a happy medium right? Sometimes I question whether I’m the issue in the situation, but I think it comes down to a fundamental change in society as a whole. There’s a reason I feel inadequate and get upset when I don’t get enough likes. It’s because of the negative ideologies perpetrated against people.
I think young women are even held to a higher standard than others. Women are most likely in the spotlight when it comes to this sort of hate. For example, women are often told to “lose weight” on their images. This has happened to celebrities such as Selena Gomez and Ashley Graham, but also to many regular individuals.
Almost anyone can become a victim of this, and it really affects my anxiety. I hope in the future I can develop a healthier relationship with social media, but as of now I’m trying to think of positives that can come from this.
The most obvious one would be an increase in productivity. I wouldn’t be wasting as much time mindlessly scrolling, and can do things I actually enjoy that are worth my time.
Along with this, I want to rebuild my self worth. By taking these breaks, the pressure alleviates, and I will be able to be more appreciative of my life as it is. I’m not sure how long my breaks are going to be. I think that would fluctuate based on whatever I’m going though in my life. That’s what makes them so
effective.
I’ve started to delete apps and set time limits, but I’ve already noticed how it’s benefiting me. I’ve picked up new hobbies and have started reading again. It takes time and effort, but I recommend that everyone should listen to themselves and if necessary, take time away from social media. You deserve it.
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