It seems if you aren’t very active on some form of social media you are some alien life form (ALF for short). While adults can remember a time before cell phones and Facebook, it’s harder for the younger generation to put in perspective there are more important ways to communicate in life. Here are a few ways to break the cycle before we all turn into algorithm pleasing fake robots.
Share Because You Want To
And not because you have to. Social media platforms glorify people who spend every waking moment on them with more likes and exposure. Really think about what a couple of measly likes and comments mean in the grand scheme of your life. It’s far more fulfilling to experience life in the moment as it happens to you. Moments and memories are precious, and you’ll have a greater sense of happiness if you log them away in your brain and heart, not upload them on a cloud server.
The Over Sharer
We all know this type of person. There are plenty of momentous events in our lives, and while sharing them with people is exciting, think about how much you are blasting out into the internet. Celebrated a big birthday? Awesome, post so we can congratulate you! Had a weird experience at the DMV? Eh, maybe just your significant other needs to hear you rant. Social media can be a seedy underbelly of complainers and unhappy people, don’t be those people. No one actually wants to be friends with those people.
Your Worth
Placing your worth in the hands of anyone else is just plain dumb. It goes back to sharing something because it brings you joy – it’s awesome we have places to share things with everyone all at once instead of calling each person up individually. Don’t share something because it’s a “hot topic” that will get a lot of people commenting thus validating your existence. Take your worth into your own hands and damn everyone else…which brings us to:
Politics, Religion and Various Views
Have you ever changed someone’s opinion through a social media post? Didn’t think so. However crazy or wrong you think someone might be, this is what makes us humans and members of society. It’s the very thing that Democracy is based on – people with varying opinions. Be respectful and understand that we are a tapestry of people and opinions and everyone is entitled to feel how they feel. You could also go the route of vowing to not post on any of these topics since your grandma was always right when she said not to talk about religion and politics. Most of the articles and information out there are slanted and incorrect anyway. Stick to your own opinions in the comfort of a safe space, not blasting them unfriending people along the way.
Social media is a great tool in so many ways, but if used improperly, it can be a cause of destruction and hate in humanity. These platforms would rather see hate grow – it gives them more activity which means more money in their pocket. Take matters into your own hands fighting against this and post with kindness and love. Keep sending those cute puppy videos along!
