This is huge topic I could write about for ages. I feel so passionately about our own conscious choices, and intentional ways we use social media. I think it's absolutely necessary, and a priority for us all, for our own wellbeing, to really know what works for us and why. I'm not saying that social media is either good or bad. I don't think that's the supportive conversation to be had here. As the reality is, it's a way of life, it's a part of life, and just as we evolve as human beings, techhology evolves too. Social media is part of that.
We have a relationship with social media, in whatever way we choose. And just like any relationship in our lives, that we give our energy to, it's necesary to know if it supports and serves us. If it doesn't, we get to choose how to change that, so it's healthy for us and our own wellbeing. This is the conversation that's supportive and necessary to have. Changing my own personal relationship with social media has chaged so much in my life. And it's taken a while to adjust to those changes. It's taken a while to really work out consciously and intentionally what it is that best supports me, and why. And then to really live by those choices and decisions and to do what always aligns and is right for me. No one else, just me. It's such a passion of mine, this topic. For us all to understand and to know our own honest relationship with social media, even more so these days, so that we are all choosing to support our own wellbeing, and then we support others too. Collectively, what we consciously choose, affects us all. I remember the days without social media. I've seen how things were and how it is now. I've felt how it's changed how we engage with one another, how we connect and how we feel about ourselves too. I see both the benefits and the disconnection as well. Aside from working as a Life Coach, Wellness Practitioner, and Counsellor, I've also worked as a Crisis Counsellor for many years too. I speak to people all the time in our community, and it's impossible to ignore the rise of mental health. And a question in my heart - do I feel that social media is part of this? And my honest answer is that I do, absolutely, in all kinds of ways, and contexts. Some of us are quite oblivious to how harmful our online space can really be, at times. But it is, and there's real truth in that. When we use social media in a positive way, then it's a great platform that exists for us all. If we have an online business, or a business that relies on social media, then it's a wonderful tool and way to engage. But when we see social media in a negative light, it's time to really assess our own personal relationship with it, how we feel about it, and whether it truly and honestly enhances our own wellbeing. I don't think there's anything more important than wellbeing. Choosing what most supports us, in every single way. What supports me will be different to someone else. We don't all agree on everything. I don't think we're meant to. We don't all do things in the same way. And we can't change someone else's way of doing things either. But we can change the way we personally do things and what we choose for ourselves. That's what matters when it comes to social media. If you are deeply honest with yourself about your personal relationship with social media and it's affecting you in a way that's not feeling healthy or good, or you're feeling stressed or anxious, or scrolling through your feeds each day and really just not enjoying it - wouldn't you want to ask yourself why, or how you might change that? Be truly honest with yourself with what you need to do, to support yourself. I have spoken to so many people over the years, and as a coach in the online space, this topic of social media comes up all the time. It's something everyone uses, so in many ways, it's the most powerful relationship online businesses have. I think it's absolutely necesary that as a conscious user of social media, we are always the ones in the drivers seat. We're always in control of how we use it and why - rather than it being the other way around, where social media becomes something that controls us, and even potentially changes ways we do things. For some, it can become an addiction and an unhealthy place to be, if we don't have boundaries with social media, just as we do with any other relationships in our lives. I often sit in spaces where these social media conversations come up all the time. I think to myself just how big this theme is for us all. It always makes me curious, and to consider my own part in it all, for myself, and collectively with others. As I see and feel the impact, and I want to be a part of supporting positive change as part of that. I hear people talk about comparison, feeling envious of others, not feeling good enough, not feeling worthy, lacking in confidence, low self esteem, feeling trigggered by others posts, feeling they're not good at what they do, feeling stressed and anxious, spending so much time scrolling on their phones and having to be 'switched on' all the time, and a constant feeling and need for external validation. That's such a big one right there - validation. I see and feel the impact of this. And I can honestly say that by not using social media, the relief of not feeling surrounded by that energy, which just drains me so much - is so liberating and powerful. Choosing to not be so present on social media, making some very honest and conscious choices with how I use it for my business, and how I use it in my life, has been such a powerful change for me, in many ways. I cannot encourage you enough to think about this for yourself. Some very simple things to ask might be - Is this making me feel good? Is this enhancing my mood, my productivity, my motivation, my creativity? Is this creating meaning for me? Is this enjoyable and fun for me? Is the way I am using social media supporting me? If the answer's yes, that's great. You know yourself best. But if the answer's no, or you hesitate over any of these questions at all, then it's really time to lovingly but honestly, check in. Take a good healthy look at where and why you feel the way you do and make some changes. Ask for some support around doing this, if you need to, as it's not easy or simple to do sometimes. It's like making changes to any other relationship in our lives, and sometimes we need to talk about it with someone. I encourage you to reach out if something here reasonates and I'd love to have a conversation with you, to support you. As I understand this so very well and am passioante about social media and it's impact on wellbeing for us all. As I said, for some people social media can be similar to an addiction, and those patterns don't just change overnight. But I do encourage you to take the first step. Be honest with yourself. And then lean into those answers and trust that by making changes, you will be moving foward in so many ways that you don't even see right now. But you will. I do know that by changing your relationship with social media, that you will change your life. When we come to everything from a place that feels aligned and true for us, then everything changes, and we open doors that move us forward, in so many ways. There is only benefit and value to be found in doing this. Finding our ways of doing things, making conscious choices, and living intentionally, is such an important part of wellbeing. I make very conscious choices about everything in my life. I am very intentional about how I do things, and why. Because I need to be, for my own wellbeing, and I'm really honest with myself about this. I'm so honest that I think it scares people at times. They wonder how I can know myself so well. I just don't negotiate with myself on things that aren't feeling good or supporting me. It's been a powerful awareness and change in my heart and life. I know my own inner dialogue so well, I know the impact of stress and anxiety, and any feelings that don't serve me, for my whole well being. And I don't hesitate with these things. I make choices and changes because I know they will support me and I put my own wellbeing first. I'm always asking myself what supports me, what serves me, and leaning into self compassion. Because it's from this space and place that I then know what is true and right for me, and then I know it will be supportive for others around me too. I deeply encourage you to always put your wellbeing first. A huge part of wellbeing is our relationships and even more so, the quality of these relationships. And I would ask you to honestly consider your relationship to social media and to make some conscious choices that will best support you in your whole being and your whole life. Does this resonate for you? If you'd like a supportive conversation around this, then please do connect with me. Send me an email through my contact page. I would love to support you to understand your own conscious ways to use social media, so that you can enhance your wellbeing. With love, x Katie Ps. Curious about how I work and support you in a unique and personalised way? You can read about that here - https://www.katiejanewellness.com/working-together.html Pps. If you'd like to receive updates or my 'letters of support', then you can do so through this link, and download a free ebook as a gift too! x https://www.katiejanewellness.com/resources.html
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
November 2023
Categories
All
AuthorKatie Jane is a Holistic Therapist, Life Coach, Health Coach, Nutritionist, Naturopath, Meditation teacher, writer and author. Katie has been working in the wellness industry for over 15 years, in private practice and online, and brings all of these qualifications and skills, along with her own lived experiences through challenges, changes and transitions. Her approach to life and wellbeing is truly holistic and unique for each individual. She supports and coaches clients to make powerful changes, to feel calm through uncertainty and change, to embrace self care as a way of being, and to thrive through life transitions. |