Let’s face it, fallout after the election has been stressful. That is probably a drastic understatement! If you didn’t care about issues or people, you wouldn’t be stressed. It’s a sign you’re a caring person. It’s not good for our bodies and minds to be triggered and angry. It is critical that you take good care of yourself right now. Social media is a tool for you to use as you wish. Here are some ways to help yourself manage some boundaries with social media.
Shut Out the Noise
You only have so much energy and brainpower so limit what you’re going to see. I’m not talking about only hearing certain ideas I’m talking about making them manageable. Get a newspaper so you can process the information at a healthy rate and a pace that is not overwhelming your brain. If the slower pace facts are too much, take a break from those too. You have to take care of yourself.
Communicate with Respect
- Use etiquette: Your cousin is sharing her opinion on the state where she lives. You want to comment about their NBA team’s lousy record this season, which you literally would do at any family gathering. Have direct social media conversations or direct real life conversations with people if it might be a sensitive topic, or if you disagree. People can feel invaded when someone puts critical information on their space, many people are seeing it. It can prompt a defensive response.
- Don’t get wrapped up in drama: If someone seems offended by something you did that you didn’t do intentionally, apologize, and offer that you’re fine if they removed it. If they are removing something you posted, do not take offense. Talk to them directly about what happened. When someone is insulting you, you do not have to be open to continuing to see what they say. It is up to you if you feel ready to continue with the relationship. Give it some time.
Cut Down on Phubbing
I have had my 4-year-old niece push my phone down and ask me to play with her. I adore her and I needed her help to remind me not to phub. What’s that? When you ignore people around you while you’re on your phone. Ask the people in your real world life if they think you’re using social media too much or if your use bothers them. They can help remind you if you’re phubbing. To quote Ferris Bueller’s Day Off: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t look around once in awhile, you could miss it.”
Be Conscious and Deliberate
You knew I was going to say it and it certainly applies to me too: limit your social media and be conscious of the choice to use social media. It is so tempting and there’s this instant gratification response where you’re going to hear something back, whether good or bad. That’s even more intense if your phone is alerting you when someone messages you. Turn those off. If you’re able to fully unplug, congratulations. If not, you might find social media adds to your quality of life. So keep it in the sweet spot. Schedule social media time into your routine. If you’re tempted to look, remind yourself you have fully focused social media time coming. If you accidentally look without stopping and reminding yourself first, that’s ok, put it down, and you’ll do better next time. Watch how you feel after you look at it or participate. What was helpful and what wasn’t? Maybe your realized you don’t want to see what your Uncle Leo has to say anymore but you love getting ideas for how to make pancakes. Take charge and tweak it so it’s serving you.
