How many social media accounts do you have? On most days I log into eight to ten different social media accounts for personal and business use on various platforms – Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, or Facebook. Some of these look ignored because I, like most mom-preneurs, have a long to-do list that does not include updating my Twitter daily.
Why do I have so many accounts? For the most part, I believed that I needed them to run my business. In light of recent experiences and the toll taken on my mental and physical health, I have cut back.
Attachment Issues?
Social media is everywhere – phones, desktops, watches, and tablets. Easy access is tempting, especially for a small business owner. Every moment could be content, a way to connect, express your brand, and grow your following.
The need to have your phone in hand becomes constant because, without it, you’d feel naked. Or gasp! miss an opportunity to post. However, being online 24/7/365, the borders between personal and business crumble. Future clients and followers no longer ask questions during just business hours – you appear constantly accessible, and therefore, you are.
Insecurity Blanket
Social media is edited content. It showcases only glimpses of real life. However, managing that social media image is not the fairytale it appears to be. Likes, comments, and shares are a constant rating game for a business owner. Social media opens a person up, creating vulnerability with the inadequate communication skills of others.
While certain platforms are more visual and uplifting, others habitually take the toxic route. This negativity can harm one’s mental, emotional, and physical self. The negative comments of a few can taint a public image, business, family name, and future relationships.
The Low
In real life, bullies must look at your face when they are mean to you. They go home, and hopefully, there is a safe place for you, too. However, I have found that the 24/7/365 access limits your ability to have a moment’s peace with social media. Social media does not stop because you put down your phone. It keeps going, and so do the bullies.
I’m vulnerable while volunteering at a town festival, sleeping, or during a Sunday afternoon brunch with friends. The pings from my phone greet me in the morning, and alerts flash on my watch during a movie, drawing my attention from my four-year-old daughter to people I hardly know.
How to Detox
1. Acknowledge
Social media is not social. According to Merriam-Webster, social is “marked by or passed in pleasant companionship with friends or associates” or “the interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society.” What occurs on social media platforms is written communication.
We use no facial or physical cues when interacting with each other. Simply put, even dogs would be confused by the “social” behavior on these platforms. Imagine if they could not see another dog’s tail wag, hair raise, or lip curl.
2. Boundaries
I recently placed a statement at the bottom of my emails to force myself to adhere to my new rule. Feel free to copy and paste, adjusting the hours and wording to fit your life:
*Please Note: Replies occur between 5 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday – Friday. Weekend emails will receive a reply on Monday morning. Thank you for understanding my time with my family. In case of emergency, please text or call.
3. Moderation is Key
A little bit goes a long way. How much time do you think you are spending on social media? Try tracking it. I felt overwhelmed this summer after months of managing several social media accounts for both businesses. The fact that I was charging my phone twice a day should have been a warning.
I began by setting calendar reminders to check my email and social media to limit and contain the amount of time and energy I was spending. I also leave my phone in another room while I sleep to prevent late-night scrolling should I wake up. Most recently, I took a few apps off of my phone.
Be Social – For Real
With these new habits, I discovered a new sense of freedom. My phone spends less time plugged into the wall and in my hand. I spend more time connecting with real people. I sleep better and have less stress, which means more energy.
Most importantly, I am present because there is less static to distract me. While everyone else is detoxing from food and wine. I, however, will be more social. You can find me with friends at my favorite restaurants and fitness clubs if you’d like to say hello.
