Training Your Mind Against Social Media

Jul 14

Jul 14 Training Your Mind Against Social Media

I know you've heard it said, that social media plays a big part in our lives as far as influencing our decisions, or our thoughts about ourselves in a negative way.

It's true, that Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and the TV shows that we watch don't always have a positive impact on young minds, or any minds for that matter.

Especially as young adults, we can easily slip into the game of comparison, or the panicky and racing thoughts of insecurity.

I agree it's extremely unhelpful, and can be damaging to our confidence, and can hold a power over us. Girls, and guys can develop body issues, self esteem issues, eating disorders, depression, insecurities, envy, comparison, jealousy, and all sorts of serious problems.

If you struggle with self esteem or insecurities, read my post on:

"Knowing Your Worth"

But what happens then, is we blame our insecurities on social media, and the problems they have given us.

We tend to victimize ourselves, and blame others for the way we are, instead of ultimately learning and challenge those things, from the inside out.

So instead of doing that, I want to try something new. Let's try re-training our minds, to think differently about social media.

Now sometimes we can't avoid being around those influencing messages, like pictures, ads, and articles. A lot of the time, we will see them. That's the truth. But how we choose to deal with them, is everything. When we're watching, or reading something that gives us an insecure thought, we do not have to entertain that thought. Through being aware, and recognizing when our mind starts to fall into those thinking patterns, we can start to build up a resistance to the drama, and strengthen our mind against the damaging aspects of it.

It's so important to have a healthy view, and relationship with any social media platform. The online world isn't going anywhere, and if anything, it will continue to grow. We might as well use it as an opportunity for growth within ourselves too.

And if you think about it, we should know better. Especially if you know Christ, we really should be able to use this, as an opportunity to strengthen our minds, and build up our resistance, to the ideas that tear our confidence down. This goes for the things in everyday life as well. When you see someone in person, and you start compare yourself, and measure your worth against theirs. When you start to have those racing insecure thoughts about yourself, and your life. When you catch yourself comparing and leveling up yourself with someone else. That is an opportunity to take a step back, and reflect.

To retrain your mind.

So let's talk.

The three things to remember, to help train your mind against social media.

1. You don't have to buy into the game.

The first step is to know is, you don't have to but into the game. Meaning, don't feel pressured to post something to please others, or to make them think more of you. That's the game and trap of the online world. Don't be obligated to keep up with the trends, and the attention. Part of the problem of social media, and the drama behind it, is our contribution to it. All the 'fake' pressured posts that aren't really authentic to who we are. Those 'fake' and perfect posts cause others to feel not only pressured to do the same, but make them feel bad about their real lives. I'm talking about the over edited selfie that took ten times to get right. The over posed group picture, that just ended up making everyone angry trying to get the perfect shot. Because we want it to be perfect. And we want the affirmation. We may end up with a great photo, and a witty caption, but it will more than likely be far from the reality of that moment.

Listen, there is a balance to be found between creativity, and reality for the everyday Instagram. Or that little bit of humility with the Facebook update. Personally, I love to be creative with pictures. And I know many of my friends do as well. Initially, there is nothing wrong with sharing only the best bits, the 'perfect shots' only. We want to share the best moments of our day.

But there is a difference between posting a photo just to get affirmation from people, and posting a moment that meant something. It all comes down to being your authentic self. Not comparing yourself to what others are doing, or purposely trying to make things perfect, for others to see.

2. You control your thoughts.

Let's say you just saw a post, and it made your heart race with insecurity. In order to help change the way you feel in that moment, you have to change the way you think. You control what you can control. In the same way, that you have the power to change your day from bad to good, you also have the power to bring your mind back to the truth. This is really effective, because it gives you back the power, over what comes in, and out of your mind. We need to learn to dissect the false, and hurtful thoughts about ourselves, from what we know to be true.

Just because you feel insecure, or jealous of someone's post, you're not a victim of that person's post. You are ultimately in charge of how you feel. Yes it may hurt, but like we said earlier, you can't always control what you see and don't see on social media. You can only control the contributions you make, and how you react to others. You decide how you will let others posts affect you.

3. Recognize the insecurity within yourself.

This is where we drive ourselves crazy. If you're looking at something, and are feeling self doubt creep in, and your self esteem start to drop- take a moment. Ask yourself: why are you feeling like this? is there a insecurity there, that you didn't notice before? What area of your life needs attention?

Usually, when we see a post, we measure the real parts of our day, against someone's 'fake moment' of perfection. We judge ourselves entirely in all areas, against that one moment. We compare our whole worth as a person, against one captured moment in time. And we become worried and discouraged with what we are doing in life. If we compare, and feel insecure about that post, that shows us the work that needs to be done inside us. See this as an opportunity, to check yourself to see what is going on internally.

Listen,

Just because someone posted a selfie, and it got fifty + likes, and everyone commented saying how beautiful and wonderful, and awesome that person is, doesn't mean you're not.

Just because someone posted about their new job, and wonderful work and social life, doesn't mean your job is crap.

Just because another mom posted about their kids achievements, milestone, or even how perfect they've been that day, doesn't mean that your child is now a horrible child.

Just because someone posted about their love life, doesn't mean you're not loved.

Some of them sound silly, but they're truths that we need to be reminded of.

I've heard it said recently, "If you think someone's life is perfect, you don't know them well enough."

And let me just say, if you think someone is perfect you definitely don't know them well enough.

Social media is a tricky subject for a lot of people. There is definitely times, where I struggle with everything just as much, or more than you do. (Actually I'm pretty sure I struggle more..)

But just remember.

You're not a victim of someone's post. You are ultimately in charge of how you feel. And how you will let that post effect your life. So what's it gonna be?

*Someone's post just went up.

A rush of self doubt, and insecurity?

Or an opportunity to grow, strengthen, and rebuild?

You control your thoughts.

Social media will always be there. At least for now.

Let's start training our minds to handle it.