It's been a year since my last blog post, as I've been fully engaged in our whole-house renovation project throughout 2024. This shift in focus has prompted me to reevaluate my previous plans for last year. Spending so much time online while working with the builders has highlighted my need to adopt healthier online habits.
I now want to make positive changes to support my personal growth and my photo creative journey ahead. It didn't seem significant at the time since I only browsed some sites for a few minutes, but I spent a lot of time looking over social media feeds. I was surprised by how much time I spent on social media when I worked it out.
I often complain that there isn't enough time in the day, so quitting social media might be a great way to free up some time. I could use that time to take an online course, catch up on a TV show I've missed, or sit down and read.
I began to notice that social media was negatively impacting my self-esteem. It offered me an endless stream of reasons to feel inadequate. However, quitting social media might help me reduce the constant need to compare my achievements to those of others.
I would repeatedly check my Facebook/Instagram to see who had and had not liked my posts. I would waste energy overthinking why people who looked at my post didn't respond. It's actually really liberating to realise that you have zero control over other people's opinions of you. I now post primarily for my own benefit, as it allows me to "be my authentic self."
I also constantly tried to capture 'moments' to share on social media. I realised I had forgotten how to truly 'live in the moment.' A beautiful sunset remains beautiful even if I don't post it on Facebook, so I now take the time to enjoy it instead of rushing to share it. I can still take a photo with my phone for my own use but by stepping away from posting on social media, I allow myself to remember more of these moments in my mind, and years later, those vivid memories will be far more meaningful than a blurry photo.
Addictions of any kind are unhealthy, and excessive use of social media is no exception. I'd definitely gone beyond using it in moderation. Social media platforms are meant to focus on us, the users. Still, it's easy to forget that the companies behind them are primarily profit-driven. Every piece of information you post, 'like,' or add to your profile becomes valuable data that these organisations sell to advertisers and other third parties. This alone should be a compelling reason to consider quitting or reducing social media use.
I also considered whether I was genuinely learning anything valuable during those hours of scrolling. So, I had to ask myself: why not quit social media and use that time for quality learning?
Lastly, social media can contribute to a more negative mindset. For many, it is an outlet for their stress, frustrations, and heartbreak. While posting about these feelings may provide a sense of relief for them, it can have a negative impact on those who read these posts. Even the happiest individuals can struggle to avoid absorbing some of this negativity. Reducing the number of social media accounts I follow could help me break free from this cycle and allow me to refocus my time and energy on myself.
Have I completely quit using social media? No, I obviously haven't, as you're probably reading this blog post because of one of my social media feeds. Social media can promote my work and help me stay in touch with people I don't see in person. However, like all good things, I now try to use it in moderation.
I hope you find my latest blog post thought-provoking. I am refocusing my free time on online learning courses, photo shoots, and building my home studio to experiment and get more creative with photography. I recognise the irony that I still had to use social media to share this blog post with some of you. While I don't view all social media as 'evil,' I plan to use it in moderation from now on.
Comments