💗to💗- Social Media is the Wild Wild West

I've noticed off and on, more so recently, that social media can really start to take its toll on your well-being.

It can be super helpful, too. Informational. Uplifting. Hilarious.

It's like whiplash going from one post to the next. 🥴

One video is a cute puppy.

The next is someone with incurable cancer.

The next is a celebrity interview.

The next is a random conspiracy theory.

Then a mountain scene with relaxation music in the background.

We are being inundated every day with so many things. Amazing things. Unspeakable things. Wholesome things. Heartbreaking things. Constantly being nudged to question ourselves... are we doing enough? Are we thin enough? Are we *insert whatever here* enough?

It's no wonder our mental health can be in the absolute gutter.

I'm old enough to remember a time before social media. Sure, I was a kid doing kid things- but, man, was that time a lot less heavy. Even with heavy stuff going on in my life it felt more manageable.

⬅ Me being a kid doing kid things. Getting my picture taken by a disposable camera because no one had smart phones. Wearing an outfit that would likely get me made fun of these days. Ha! OH and don't miss the dorky thought bubble thing I added when I was a kid. Being a kid. Not giving a rat's butt. Let's be real I was super cool!!

It was enough: the simplicity of being outdoors and exploring. Letting our imaginations create fun games for us to play. Being connected to each other and actually KNOWING each other.

Dealing with drama between ourselves and not getting the opinion of the rest of the world. Playing video games for fun. Reading for fun.

Doing things for fun and not guilting ourselves for it.

Why do we push so hard now? Why don't we allow ourselves to just be and enjoy our lives?

When did it become this thing where your value lies in how much you do and provide and create?

How did we lose value in simply being ourselves?

Because we innately are valuable simply for being here.

How much are we missing because we are constantly doing, doing, doing?

What would happen if you sat and did absolutely nothing, but listen to music? No TV show. No social media. No book. Not talking to anyone. That's a whole thing in itself. It might even sound uncomfortable to you. Something to look into if that resonates.

I think social media can be extremely useful.

I also think social media can be extremely detrimental.

It helps us make connections we never would have before.

It also exposes us to things that aren't helpful and simply bring more negativity to our lives.

I guess what I'm trying to say here is pay attention to your well-being and how you are being effected by social media. Use it wisely.

Unfollow people that cause you to question your worth, make you feel less than, make you angry, or any other negative thing. Remember social media tends to be curated so people can present the "best" side of themselves.

Surround yourself with good people that you feel aligned with on social media.

Set boundaries on what you expose yourself to and how much time you spend on it.

And remember to surround yourself with people in your real physical life that are good for you. Sign off sometimes. Clear your mind. Just be.