I had a different post scheduled for today, but this topic has been weighing heavily on my mind this week so I decided I would write about this instead!
Social media is a huge part of my life, and so many of your lives as well. Instagram and Pinterest are definitely my most used phone apps (besides the baby monitor!) and several of my friendships have originated on social media. So much good has come because of social networking–it connects us to people all over the world who we never would have otherwise met, instilling a sense of commonality and community from thousands of miles away. It has been particularly comforting as a mom to connect with other moms who are going through the same things that I am, knowing that I’m not going through this journey alone. Unfortunately, social media also gives us a screen to hide behind, maybe giving the confidence to say things we normally wouldn’t say face to face. And giving the select few who want to cause trouble the opportunity to do so without much consequence.
I’m not going to pretend that my feelings are anyone’s responsibility but my own. No one can make me feel a certain way, it is completely up to me how I choose to react to differnt situations, What I want to discuss is the abundance of negativity on social media, whether or not it is directed at someone specifically.
This week was kind of a weird one for me in the blogosphere. I felt like I wasn’t really making a difference, that I didn’t have anything valuable to offer, and that I was putting so much time into something that wasn’t reaping rewards. On top of all that, some general comments were made by someone in passing and I took them very personally–they probably weren’t even directed at me but I started questioning everything I was doing. This probably sounds ridiculous, but social media is a hobby and a job for me, and I want to feel like I’m doing a good job with my work. Those seemingly insignificant comments to someone else were really heart wrenching for me to hear.
After a couple of days of trying to convince myself that it wasn’t all about me and that I didn’t need to worry about anything, a few things happened. I connected with a friend on Instagram who was going through the same kind of experience but instead of wallowing in it, posted an uplifting message about being kind, humble, grateful, and caring. It sparked a conversation about staying positive and not being fearful when negative things come our way. We chatted briefly about how to turn things around and get back on our feet when we feel the doubt and negativity controlling our attitudes. This conversation was exactly what I needed to get up and move on, and as a result of her posting positivity we both benefited!
The next day I had two tentative offers to work as a social media manager for two different brands. I’ve been trying to think of how I can maintain an income when Jared starts school without having to leave home, and these offers were true blessings. I found the timing to be perfect, since I had spent so much recent time worrying about my role in social media and whether or not anyone noticed or cared about what I had to say, and now two brands liked what they saw enough to offer to pay me to do it for them. I needed that blunt reminder that I am talented, I am making an impact, and people do care about what I have to say.
What would happen if every time we heard something negative on social media we turned around and shared something positive? Instead of passively criticizing each other and griping about the way things are what if we spent that energy focusing on people’s positive traits and making them feel good about themselves? I’m not saying everything has to be rainbows and butterflies all the time, I do my fair share of complaining about no sleep and long lines and grumpy people–but if I instead shared sweet snuggles, lots of bonding time, and tender mercies wouldn’t that make everyone feel better? Isn’t it better to bring people up than to tear them down with you? Intentionally or not, the things that we say will have an impact on people, and while it’s not our responsibility to make someone feel a certain way it is our duty as a community to take ownership of the things we say and why we say them. If I asked myself what my intent was before posting or saying something, I know the tone of my posts and stories would undeniably become more positive.
As we go into this Easter weekend, we have SO much to be grateful for. I want to spend this season building my friends and family up, and sharing positivity instead of negativity on social media. I want people to feel good when they see what I post or talk about, and I want to generate feelings of happiness and joy instead of fear or anxiety. I’m committing now to do my part to be a source of light, and to be someone that you feel good about following and I hope I have inspired you to do the same!