Disconnect to reconnect

#thebestisyettocome2021

"Sometimes we need to disconnect in order to reconnect with what matters."

We've all heard it before, social media platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for example, are quite often a highlight reel of people's best and most memorable moments.

Lots of people tend to use social media as a means to share positive things happening in their lives and to receive gratification through ‘likes’, ‘views’ and ‘follows’.

Unfortunately, these actions and expectations can lead individuals to become addicted to their phones and to develop some feelings of inadequacy now and again.

Personally, when I joined Instagram in particular (I was already on Facebook and Twitter at the time), I wanted to connect with teachers and individuals in the fitness industry worldwide and I wanted to use the platform as a tool for personal and professional development.

With that, I thought I could also use my account to promote positive thinking and healthy living while inspiring others to be risk-takers, to develop their self-esteem and to reach their goals.

Over the last few years, I've had several internal battles about how I've been using social media.

Far too often, I've allowed myself to be consumed by the daily posts from friends, family, and a wide-variety of other individuals who I follow, which occasionally has led me to have some negative feelings about myself and the (blessed) life I’ve been living.

There have also been moments when I've worried that my posts would be seen as flaunting my adventures and successes and that they would make others feel those same kinds of unwanted feelings that I experience from time to time.

At the beginning of January 2021, I decided to give social media a rest.

It wasn't easy breaking the habit of frequent scrolling and overcoming the feeling of being ‘left out’ - social media can be a very busy and fascinating ‘social circle’!

That said, it didn't take me long to realize how much time I had been wasting every day reading into people’s posts and virtual actions.

After nearly 2 months now without scrolling through my social media accounts, I have felt far more productive, grounded, positive and present.

"Posting less, doing more.

Comparing less, reflecting more.

Discussing less, accomplishing more.”

Now, I do believe that social media can be useful and that it can have some positive effects if it is used correctly and in moderation.

I currently still have a desire (that is slowly fading away) to use the different platforms to connect with others around the world, to learn and to inspire.

Having said that, I want and need to try my best to ensure it doesn't impact my life or others lives in the wrong way.

"Get offline. Free your mind.

Go outside. Look up at the sky. Take in the beauty of the real world.

Exchange a smile. Reclaim free time.

Update your state. Not just your status.

Disconnect to reconnect.”

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