How To Not Sell Your Soul To Social Media | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

How To Not Sell Your Soul To Social Media

Because It Seems Like Everyone's Doing It

208
How To Not Sell Your Soul To Social Media
Image 22187942 by Cienpies Design

Easy answer: Don’t use social media.

Not-as-easy answer: Learn to use it instead of allowing it to use you.

When I decided to start writing for the Odyssey not so long ago, I was very much looking forward to the writing part. I was also very much looking forward to being involved in a company hatched at my alma-mater just two years ago, which has grown at a ridiculous rate and who’s current mission is something I can get behind. I was not looking forward to becoming “that person” who is on every platform constantly promoting themselves and incessantly fishing for likes and shares, not to mention exasperated for not being regularly paid to do so. As this glassdoor.com review page and a recent reddit AMA with CEO Evan burns show, there are some very strong opinions (read: scathing) about the Odyssey; ranging from being called a content farm with no substance to complaints of conning thousands of college students into free labor for their benefit, and poor management to boot.

Ouch. I can’t speak to the management, but in convincing me to do this, one of my close friends (at a different college, sorry different college) did say something along the lines of, “I feel like everyone’s writing something for [the Odyssey], and I don’t get how their stuff is popular. You are a good writer.”

My friend is a fabulous cheerleader (<3), but she also isn’t wrong… I do see things pop-corning around that have obvious spelling or grammar mistakes which cause my inner-editor to just kind of twitch uncomfortably for these folks – some of whom probably couldn’t care less about writing. However, being such a young company, I think this is part of the growing process. Right now you really don’t know what’s going to get slapped up on a weekly basis, but as an optimist, I would hope that having this mass number of creators right now is growing the name, and then as it gains a foothold, the infrastructure will improve, the mentoring will improve, and the more dedicated people are going to still be here with quality stuff, and they’ll be rewarded for that.

So what does that have to do with (not) selling your soul to social media?

Because as of this moment, I have a mostly-public Linkedin, Facebook, Twitter, Stumbleupon, Pinterest, a wordpress blog, and am a contributor to The Mighty, and I’m not going to talk about how long it just took me to hyperlink all of those damn things.

20-year-old me would be disgusted with myself. WHAT ARE YOU DOING PUTTING YOUR LIFE OUT ON ALL OF THESE THINGS? People do not need to know all about you, nor do they want to see your thoughts and ideas 24/7.

Except 23-year-old me is not 20-year-old me (thankfully).

I’m now a broke, unemployed college grad with a chronic illness (read: no cure). However, I’m tired of always letting things use me. This hasn’t always been the case; if you know me, you know I’m a helper – to a fault. I will keep working, keep going, keep serving, until I’m either finished or told to stop (by someone else). Whether it was a job, my grades, friends, family, strangers, you name it, my self and my health were a slave to making sure I took care of as many needs (perceived or real) as possible before I checked in with myself.

To not sell my soul to social media, I’ve needed to change my mindset. Just because I have all those accounts, does not mean I am living my life out on them or that I “need” them. I don’t. They’re tools. Most people don’t know how to use them or they don’t want to really use them, and end up being used; their views and opinions are shaped by it, whole arguments manifest and relationships can be compromised because of words and pictures that only appear in front of us because of some coding, a battery and a wifi signal brought light to an otherwise useless combination of glass and plastic.

Technology itself is not personal, but its effects certainly can be - for better or worse. Which means I can use it the way I want to promote and showcase my skills and ideas, not care what anyone says or doesn’t say about it (or who is following or not), and then reap the benefits in the real world. Any resulting online feedback from an article, a tweet, a picture, or share, is not going to particularly infuriate or enthuse me, because it doesn’t go anywhere. If any of the things I just listed resulted in someone contacting me, reaching out to me, hiring me, or making a friend, that is personal. And it would be a result of the tool.

So, am I now an expert? Hardly. However, I can at least separate social media from me as a person, and recognize that I am the one learning and using the media to get something I want, rather than allowing the tool or task to determine how I conduct myself.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Taylor Swift in orange dress playing a moss-covered piano on stage with bright lights.

A three-and-a-half-hour runtime. Nine Eras. Eleven outfit changes. Three surprise songs. Zero breaks. One unforgettable evening. In the past century, no other performer has put on an electric performance quite like Taylor Swift, surpassing her fans ‘wildest dreams’. It is the reason supporters keep coming back to her shows each year. Days later, I’m still in awe of the spectacle ‘Miss Americana’ puts on every few days in a new city. And, like one of Taylor’s exes, has me smiling as I reminisce about the memories of the night we spent together.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

A Few Thoughts Every College Freshman Has

The transition into adulthood is never easy

26538
Mays Island
Courtney Jones

Today I started my third week of college at Minnesota State Moorhead. I have survived welcome week, finding my classes on the first day, and being an awkward loner in the dining hall. Even though I have yet to be here for a month, I have already experienced many thoughts and problems that only a new college student can relate to.

Keep Reading...Show less
Students walking on a sunny college campus with trees and buildings.

"Make sure to get involved when you're in college!"

We've all heard some variation of this phrase, whether it came from parents, other family members, friends, RAs, or college-related articles. And, like many clichés, it's true for the most part. Getting involved during your college years can help you make friends, build your resume, and feel connected to your campus. However, these commitments can get stressful if you're dealing with personal issues, need to work, or aren't sure how to balance classes and everything else going on during the semester.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

9 Reasons Why Friends Are Essential In College

College without friends is like peanut butter without jelly.

11080
Bridgaline Liberati and friends
Bridgaline Liberati

In college, one of the essential things to have is friends. Yes, textbooks, a laptop, and other school supplies are important but friends are essential. Friends are that support system everybody needs. The more friends you have the better the support system you have. But you also have someone to share experiences with. And don’t settle for just one or two friends because 8 out of 10 times they are busy and you are studying all alone. Or they have other friend groups that do not include you. Don’t settle for just one or two friends; make as many friends as you can. After the first couple of weeks of college, most friend groups are set and you may be without friends.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

The Power of Dressing Up

Why it pays to leave the hoodie at home.

8187
sneakers and heels
Sister | Brother Style - Word Press

For a moment your world is spinning. The phone alarm has just scared you awake and you’re flooded by daunting thoughts of the day ahead. You have three assignments due and little time to work on them because of your job. You’re running late because you’ve hit snooze one to many times after yesterday’s long hours. You dizzily reach for a hoodie, craving its comfort, and rush for a speedy exit, praying you will have time to pick up coffee. Does this sound familiar?

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments