An honest realisation of the mental mess I've been unconsciously creating through unconscious social media consumption
I took a hiatus from social media this week. I deleted all my apps and just pulled the plug for a hot minute. It was DETOXIFYING.
Here's why...
I recently realised how ‘cluttered’ my mind can get very quickly. And it was alongside stumbling upon this episode on ‘Social Media Clutter’ by The Minimalists that I realised my mental world was overly cluttered by digital ‘stuff’ that I actually didn’t really care about.
It then got me thinking… “does social media actually add value to my life?”
While social media has helped me reach new people and form new connections, most of the meaningful connections I have with people is often nurtured outside of the platform.
When I need to communicate with loved ones, I do so directly via phone call or messaging.
Very rarely do I find that seeing someone’s Instagram story actually adds value to my life.. or value to the relationship.
In fact, I’d rather hear about their day or listen to them tell me over the phone than to find out the news or updates of their life through a post.
So while I’ve always been pro-social media, I realised I’m for it for reasons like expanding your network, meeting new people & broadcasting value to the world. I mean… social media helped me start and grow a business!
It’s a valuable TOOL… that’s what it is.
However, does social media add value to my relationships? My inner world? My mental wellbeing?
To the smallest degree, yes… (aka when I get inspired by others, receive wisdom from others and can marvel at human potential)… but for the most part… it’s mental clutter.
Now I’m paying attention.
Instinctually my thumbs will open my phone up in search for the apps. I don’t want to be on autopilot. I want to be mindful of how I consume and what… and how often too.
Do I want to know about what everyone is doing all the time? No.
Do I want to unconsciously consume all that there is out there? No.
This to me is mindful living.
And decluttering my social media space is a huge part of that conscious effort to keep my mental and emotional energy sacred.
I’m even considering putting all social media apps on a different device.
And quite frankly, it’s given me a kick up the butt to get my social media systems in place for my business so that I can have a dependable system that isn’t reliant on me “being on” the apps myself all the time.
How’s this resonating for you?
Feeling relevant?
Drop your thoughts below, 👇
P.S. Curious about doing life with less hustle, bustle & clutter and want more flow? Join me on my podcast Freedom in Flow here.
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