When Social Media Becomes TOXIC (And Warning Signs You Need a Break!)
In July, I started to feel the need to step away from Instagram. I LOVE connecting and seeing my friends living their life even when we may be far away or living different lives. I love seeing milestones and celebrations and the good. However, when all you see is the highlight reel of people’s lives it can start to make you feel worse about yourself.
Without even realizing, many of us are comparing our life to someone else’s highlight reel. This sets us up to feel unworthy, not good enough and like “something is wrong with us.” When this is anything but the truth.
You are worthy for anything because you are.
You are good enough.
You are perfectly imperfect.
When we constantly seek validation and approval from others who we may not even know in person is toxic and unhealthy.
And then there is the addiction.
The addiction to social media is real. We are constantly reaching for our phones and checking the little red circle that tells us we have something that needs our attention. We get that rush of adrenaline when we see that notification and that something exciting may be on the end of that red dot. Many of us don’t even realize it is an addiction.
Personally, I started to notice that I was constantly short with my littles, impatient with them needing my attention, and annoyed when they needed me and I was “on social media.” I realized that I was making social media more important than my littles and that needed to stop ASAP.
So what are the warning signs you need a break?
Look at how many hours a week you spend on social media. Many phones now will track your time on apps. How long are you on social media apps? If it is more than an hour, ask yourself how you feel about that? Is the hour+ you are spending adding value to your life?
Monitor your emotions. This is a huge clue! How do you feel when you reach for your phone? Do you use it as a tool to numb out? This was my big warning sign I needed a break. When things get hard with the littles or I am feeling frustrated, I reach for my phone to drown out the crazy and numb out the emotion. How do you feel after you are done with a social app? Do you feel drained? Sad? Exhausted? The world right now is so polarized and it is EASY to get dragged into the negative noise. Being informed is important. Being inundated with negative, depressing, sad, draining news is not healthy.
Notice the jealousy. Do you often feel jealous or envious of the posts and stories you watch? Do you compare and contrast your life to someone you barely know wishing you had their life? Being in this state of jealousy and comparison continues the cycle of unworthiness and not good enough.
So what can you do?
Limit your time- set limits for how much you can be on the app
Set your intentions- what is your intention for using the app?
Take scheduled breaks- one weekend a month? A week? A month?
Create boundaries- what rituals and routines do you do that fill you up? Create a boundary that you do those FIRST before checking socials.
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The Rundown of Vibrant Mom Bootcamp:
Week 1: Mind- everything you experience in your life, you created with your mind- let’s learn how to harness that power! Together we will choose a mindfulness practice to do and see how it transforms our outer world!
Week 2: Body- our bodies are our home and we need to nurture them. Together we will pick an area to love a little more with simple actions and systems to support us.
Week 3: Soul- You are here to experience joy in all the ways you desire. Together we will uncover your joy and bring it to life.
Week 4: M/B/S Alignment- this is where we put it all together and create a daily ritual and routine that fills you up to allow you to pour more vibrant energy into the ones you love most.
By the end of the four week program you will:
Have powerful affirmations to use and practice
Curate a simple yet powerful flexible routine that meets your needs and fills your cup up
Understand the importance of your emotions and how to use them as a guide
Appreciate and create a deeper respect for your body with specific care practices in place
Feel more vibrant, energized, and alive