Are you feeling influenced?

I’m pretty open about the fact I’m not a fan of social media. There are elements of it that I really like; the ability to connect with the world, learn about things quicker or get access to educators way faster than we could without social media and the option to be positively influenced by the good that utilises the platforms in a kind and compassionate way.

However, from my own personal experience and that of many who have shared their own with me, the bad outweighs the good; the lure of comparison to others, the setting of unrealistic and damaging expectations, the creeps, the nasty comments and the plethora of “social media- newly born experts” that seem to know more about everything in life than those people who are actually bloody trained and certified in the subjects/professions. Rant over!

So for me, my use of the platforms (I’m Instagram only for anyone wondering), is limited, thought out and regularly validated to see if it’s serving the purpose I intend it to and also, bringing me joy. This is a newish approach for me and I have been guilty for many years to following people/accounts that make me bloody miserable or piss me off. Either I now have zero time for.

We all use social media for individual reasons. Many may be similar but equally, they are for reasons that drives our desires, wants and needs in life. For me, I want people to be able to get a soft introduction to my business, what I do, where I want to help make a different and to allow a targeted insight into me (ensuring I keep my personal life separate as much as possible). I also want to be influenced by others who I follow. I want to be educated and connect with more like minded people who are trying to make the same/similar difference in the world as I am. Having a good laugh is an added bonus. Some accounts I follow just feed my soul from a happiness and laughter perspective. Yin and Yang and all that.

So why do you use social media? What makes you sign up, stay active and follow or unfollow people? What’s the driving force behind you engaging on them; whether it be liking or sharing a post/story, or even wilder, commenting on something or sending a private message to someone? Do you or have you ever asked yourself these questions? Do you think you need to? I think you should. I think you need to. Anything that consumes the amount of time that social media does in your life is worth validating ever so often.

It’s a New Year and we’re often filled with aspirations to do better, be better and make changes that will enhance our daily life. I think having a social review is a great place to start. Look at who you’re following, do they serve you anything or do you always/often feel sad/disappointed by their stories/posts and most importantly, would you spent time with them in person? If the answers no, ask yourself why you’re giving them the airspace and time that could be spent better elsewhere. We have a choice when it comes to who is influencing us; that’s what the unfollow/follow button is for.

My love/hate battle with social media will continue. I’ve no plans on it ending. I love a bit of drama. Ha! Seriously though, I aim on spending quality time on it and start to be educated more than influenced as for me, that’s where the real bonuses are. I also promise to stop falling into scrolling cesspits and wasting so much of my time watching and reading a load of mince. Life is precious. The last 3 years has taught us that in abundance. Speak to your loved ones more, enjoy your own company more, walk and take in your surrounds and leave your phone in your pocket.

Life needs to be seen and felt through your eyes and presence, not through your peripheral vision via an iPhone 15.