In those first breaths while you orienteer yourself, plans and responsibilities for the day ahead flood your recollection. A beat. Your cell phone draws you in with a buzz or a notification tone accompanied by an illuminated screen. You rub the sleep from your eyes to investigate.
Social media have become an important part of our society, to the point where people are surprised when a person is not active on one of the platforms. The world of the Internet can be unkind since one is able to construct an entire identity which exists separately to their character in real life. The ability to interact without being in the same company as others allows people to relinquish responsibility for their behaviour.
Beyond interaction, the different platforms are known for a variety of different things. Twitter is known for trolls, Instagram for the pressure to appear perfect and Facebook is home to most of your relatives you don’t see regularly, to name a few. Although connectivity is the first prize, these platforms have a downside for your mental health it taken too seriously.
Some find themselves in competition with the highlight reels of others. Theodore Roosevelt’s words “Comparison is the thief of joy,” ring true here.
During lockdown I temporarily deactivated my Twitter account and my mental health thanked me for it. Finally, I was free from being bombarded with the opinions of others, and I could order my thoughts knowing that they were my own. The mental clarity and added time on my hands worked wonders for my schedule and self-esteem-particularly in a turbulent year. I realised how much it affected me and have since become a social media break evangelist. The time away from the social pressure internalised from push notifications, likes and unpopular opinions could do you a wealth of good.
In summation: Social media breaks – would recommend!
