Last week I wrote about social media and how we can use it to love ourselves more rather than:
- hate on ourselves
- compare ourselves to others
- beg others to tell us we’re ok…
So many of you wrote back to me and shared how you have to be aware and manage the anxiety and distraction it brings.
Thanks for that. I so appreciate hearing your stories and perspectives.
It got me thinking…
Imagine if social media was different…
Imagine if we lived in a world where people naturally and comfortably loved themselves and made sure their needs were genuinely met?
And then shared that on social media in an encouraging way.
So that we felt uplifted and empowered in your own life each time we tapped into it.
How cool would that be?
Can you picture it?
How it would feel to tap into your Facebook or Instagram and swim amongst millions of people who are loving themselves and genuinely enjoying their lives?
Not the fake stuff where everyone is trying to show that they are succeeding and brilliantly happy and perfect all the time. They genuinely are happy and it helps you be happy too.
Imagine if the posts were all love-filled celebrations of you and them and not anxious calls for your approval and agreement.
It can be.
It depends on your approach.
The way we approach Facebook or Instagram or anything else dictates what we give and what we receive from it.
As I said last week, you can see how you’re approaching it by noticing how you feel.
And what can you do with this?
Monitor your reactions gently whenever you open that app (or anything you find challenging).
Notice your thoughts and feelings and be kind to yourself about how you deal with it.
If you get a heavy, downward-pulling feeling, or anxiety and self-criticism, stop.
Take a break.
Breath.
Saying something loving and reassuring and affirming to yourself.
“I’m doing great. I’m just fine as I am. I’m proud of me.”
We can’t always walk away from things we find difficult.
For example, my work includes social media so it’s not easy for me to take a total break from it.
But to remember that I’m loved and whole before approaching it… now that’s gold.
So will you join me in setting an intention for this?
“I intend to approach social media from a place of loving myself. I will aim to read and post things that affirm me and leave me feeling joyful and satisfied.”
How would it be if social media is where you get to express and receive real love for yourself?
What would you post on social media then?
What would you want to see posted by others?
Let me know!