Written By: Bibiana Owusu Prempeh Gyasi
Social media
Social media is a great tool. Social media opens possibilities for businesses. It’s a great source of information storage and communication. Think of all the big brands and people cashing in on social media. Its great right?
There are however two huge downsides to social media. The tendency to second guess ourselves every time because someone on social media is doing so much better than us. Or allowing complacency to set in because feel we are far ahead. Everything looks good on social media.
There are real Struggles
There are however real struggles. The couple who just posted a photo kissing didn’t tell you the huge fight they just had minutes before the photo was taken. The girl in the nice makeup and hair didn’t announce her insecurities.
That friend of yours who always posts pictures in Dubai hasn’t told you the hardships she went through to get into the country in the first place.
The couple who just had a great wedding didn’t announce the debt they incurred in the process. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not implying that everything on social media is fake.
My point is stop allowing the lives of others threaten you. Stop comparing yourself to others! We beat ourselves up and fill ourselves with emotions that shouldn’t be there all because we feel we are not enough.
We feel we are left behind because everyone is doing so well on “social media” and we don’t have our lives figured out.
The Bad side of Social Media
While social media can be a great tool to accelerate businesses and connect people from different continents and countries, it has become a tool of self destruction for many people. Laziness, depression, comparisons, cyber bullying to mention but a few.
My Personal Experience
I have dealt with this social media comparisons before. I was at a point where I kept comparing myself to other people in fashion who were doing so well, exporting abroad, working with top people and I felt I wasn’t doing enough. And sometimes these emotions are unhealthy because they do nothing to help us grow.
It got to a point when I said No! These people started way before me. What I see as a the perfect picture now has been years of struggles and lessons. I wasn’t n going to allow myself compare my beginning to someone’s climax.
It took a conscious effort for me to rid myself of these emotions and look to them as inspiration rather than as a means of self doubt.
You are not alone in this
I’m sharing this because I know a lot of people go through these emotions. I have made rules for myself now regarding how I use and approach social media.
I have hours and times I check my phone and what I’m supposed to do. And even though I break some of them sometimes I know its a process and I’m willing to correct myself along the way.
Social media is great for my business but on my personal growth I have decided to check the level of involvement and emotions I attach to it.
For July one of my personal goals was to go on a social media break for a while. Focus on what’s important to me and just a break from all the virtual stuffs.
I would say its something I’m definitely going to be doing once every while. I was able to read more, talk more with people in person because I wasn’t on my phone all the time.
And it taught me discipline because there were times when I wanted to be on social media but I was willing to see it through.
The Remedy
Its important to allow yourself sometime off social media, off your phones so you can concentrate on what really matters to you in life. Your business, family, studies spouse, children and your relationships in general.
It is worthy to note that there was a time when social media was non existent and people thrived. Today we have become so attached to this illusion of friendship and online validation that we can’t imagine ourselves without them. It is important to think of your mental well being first.
By all means use social media for business, for work, for personal growth and even for personal use. But make sure you aren’t being dragged into something that affects your sanity or peace of mind.
Once I started making changes to how I approached social media on the whole, I realised my life became better because I was able to prioritise. I became more organised as well. Now I use social media as an outlet to get my voice heard. I’m also following the right people who inspire and help me grow.
Don’t forget there are countless ways to use social media for your own benefit. Find them and use them and see your life.
