From an avid social media user:
I spend a decent amount of time looking at influencer profiles on social media and I’ve noticed that they all seem to make their lives look and feel incredible. They immerse you in their everyday routines and activities and they make it all look as if it is picture perfect. Most of the time, I honestly hate that. I hate that people out there try to convince everyone that their life is perfect when it probably isn’t.
Social media has often been accused of giving people a false sense of what the perfect life looks like. Perfect homes, perfect relationships, perfect bodies...Sure, there may be some people who really do have near “perfect” lives (whatever that means). But life, by its very definition, is messy.
People often present their best selves on social media, which can give others the false impression that their life is perfect. What we see online is often just the highlight reel. I know that, of course, but I find I have to remind myself of that every now and again.
There’s a new trend emerging, however, that is both peculiar and genius! People are opting to romanticize mundane everyday tasks. And it’s not only making them feel better, but it’s making everyone else to browses their pages feel better about these day-to-day responsibilities too. Highlighting to-dos and adventures that may not seem innately glamorous somehow instantly makes them appear more interesting and meaningful.
At first, I thought it was absolutely ridiculous that people were trying to act like their small daily moments were anything but ordinary. They would post about how their morning cup of coffee, in their favorite mug, before the world wakes up, is the most magical part of their day. They would talk about their daily commute to work and how it was such a spiritual and peaceful time. Any small moment that they could latch onto and romanticize, they went for it.
But, then I realized something. Those posts were so much more powerful than what I was giving them credit for. Finding beauty in the small stuff is the very premise of mindfulness. Taking a moment to express gratitude for these things helps foster a more positive mindset overall.
It's no secret that social media can be a major source of stress and anxiety. But what if there was a way to use it in a more mindful and meaningful way? The practice of mindfulness is all about being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts and feelings without judging them. When you're mindfully using social media, you're not getting lost in the scroll or comparing yourself to others. You're simply being present, enjoying the moment, and viewing it in the most positive light.
Here are some tips for being more mindful on social media:
Use social media for a specific purpose. Before you open up your social media apps, take a moment to ask yourself why you're doing it. Do you want to stay connected with friends and family? See what's new in the world? Find some inspiration? Once you know why you're using social media, you can be more purposeful in your scrolling.
Post about the small stuff. It's easy to get sucked into social media and spend hours scrolling. But if you're trying to be more mindful, limit your time online and simply post about something you’re doing that you can find gratitude for, whether that be sipping your coffee, indulging in a much-needed spa day with friends, or watching the sun set.
Be aware of your thoughts and feelings. Pay attention to your thoughts and feelings in the moment before you post. In other words, do just share to share. Share how you’re really feeling in that moment. Mindfulness is all about being aware of your thoughts and feelings and choosing to respond in a positive way.
When I decided to start using social media to share positivity, I realized that my own mental health began to improve, and it garnered an overwhelming response. People appreciated the reminder that there is beauty in those small moments we often take for granted. It took a long time for that perspective to click with me, so I don’t blame you if you are still feeling skeptical. All I know is that my morning cup of coffee now feels like a blissful ritual that I look forward to. When I walk my dog, I now notice things around us that I didn’t see before, I try new routes for fun, and it has become more enjoyable.
I might not be a glamorous social media influencer, but I do have a lot in my life to be thankful for and I’m glad I was given that reminder.
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