"You're going to get arthritis scrolling through that thing so much." Well, I think our parents were onto something when those words uttered their lips. Social media has consumed such a large part of society's time, attention, and life away; especially when it comes to millennials who still have so much life left to live. While I do see that social media certainly has it's positive impacts such as communicating with relatives/friends who live long distance, using the platforms to spread positive messages, and business networking.
I also feel that as the society and social media progress, the negative impacts substantially outweigh the positive ones. We need to remember that there is a real life outside of the one we view through a screen. A life that is a true reality, not the reality conjured through false perceptions, and we need to remember it is a life worth living.
Here are five things to do instead of scrolling through social media:
1. Go outside.
As crazy as it may seem, we have a virtual reality right outside our windows and it's called earth. Nature is beautiful in all forms and it provides a playground for all of our wildest dreams. Go outside, admire nature, run through its tracks, bask in the sun, dance in the rain (okay maybe a bit corny) but extremely freeing if you need a break from the false realities! Just go outside and enjoy the world as it is...no filter needed.
2. Read a book.
Books have the power to take our minds on endless adventures. If you need a break from the stresses of life, take 15-20 minutes of your day and read. Not only are you ultimately bettering yourself, you're also not being consumed in other's lives for a moment. During that time, it's only you, the paperback, and the narrator.
3. Make face-to-face connections with people.
As easy as it is to just check someone's feed to see what they're up too, it's a lot more fulfilling to meet up with them in person to catch up on each other's lives. Social media creates a false sense of fulfilment when it comes to personal relationships, and perceptions of others. Human beings were not meant to hide behind screens to interact. People are supposed to make the effort to learn and care for one another that's how you build relationships, trust, and experiences with those you love.
4. Take time to be fully alone.
In order to truly know yourself, you need to know what it's like to not have the constant reassurance from others. Life can be stressful and society is constantly pressuring people's way of life. Take time out of your day to go for a walk by yourself, sit in your room by yourself, go to a park by yourself, etc. Simply take time to be with only you and your thoughts...not your phone and everyone else's thoughts.
5. Go out and help others.
Social media has the power to make everyone a lot more egotistical and self-absorbed. It's not on purpose and it doesn't mean you have malicious intentions to be inconsiderate. It just means we're human beings and we get caught up in life's small distractions, I know I'm certainly guilty of it too. It isn't until I turn on the news, hear out others, or even look outside to see how many people are suffering far worse than many could even imagine. You may not be able to fix the world, but you can definitely make a positive impact by leaving your own bubble behind.
