5 Ways To Be Mindful On Social Media

Many of our lives revolve around social media. We use it to keep in touch with others, get updated on news, promote different art forms, voice our opinions, share photos with the world, and well, the options are endless. Technology is very powerful, making news feeds very influential to users. We live in a world where, if we don’t post about it, it is almost as if it never happened. Our power of online influence is sometimes undermined but here a few ways to be more mindful of that:

1. You are {NOT} what you eat!

If you post a photo of eating a more junky-snack or meal , don’t beat yourself up about it - enjoy it! Saying things such as “I’m so bad” or “today is cheat day” aren't necessary to state, for two reasons. The first being that your mind and body do not need the self-hate or guilt. And the second being that you do not need to justify to anyone your reasons for eating a bag of chips or a couple slices of cheesy pizza. Eating certain foods once in a while does not make you a gross or unhealthy person. Try to start thinking more about why you eat what you do and make the best choices for yourself!

2. Try not to endorse or promote weight loss products

In the past three years, there has been an overwhelming wave of weight loss and body shaping products on the market. I mean, we’ve all seen the fit teas and waist trainers on Instagram. Most beauty gurus and social media influencers get paid by companies to promote their products, although they might not actually use them behind the camera. These products promise fast results to achieve a certain desired body type. However, most of the time they are either scams or highly unhealthy for your body. Try to avoid em but if you do choose to use to purchase a modern-day corset, please don’t encourage the use of them online!

3. Unfollow and Unlike any negative accounts

Life can already be filled with hurdles, so you don’t need added negativity in your life. Always remember, it is YOUR newsfeed/timeline. That means, YOU get to decide what you want on it. What you see a lot of can influence how you think, act, and feel. You hold the power, remember that.

4. Chillax on the Facetune

Let me just remind you of something real quick. You are beautiful, inside and out. I know that some individuals find it hard to believe as self-love and body acceptance is a long and on-going journey (and body dysmorphia exists). However, this can be a good way to begin attempting body acceptance. Try going filter-free and chill on the editing apps. Lately Instagram has become more of a Facetune museum than anything. Blurring blemishes, smoothing skin, visually enhancing the appearance of body parts… the list goes on. Don’t feel like you need to edit every single selfie or bikini shot you got. The individual acceptance of our “flaws” can eventually lead to more realistic, empowering, and beautiful standards within our society.

5. Don’t post triggering photos/blurbs without a trigger warning

Social media has become a great platform for individuals to come out and share their stories for healing purposes. However, when writing in detail about topics that may be on the more sensitive side, please insert the phrase TRIGGER WARNING. Topics such as self-harm, suicide, sexual assault, abuse, etc., can be triggering to your audience. This can do more harm than good and so to be mindful of the unknown experiences of others, putting a disclaimer at the beginning of your post can be very helpful and build a safer online community.

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Here are a few questions to reflect upon when deciding to post something on social media:

1. Why am I posting this?

2. Is it helpful/necessary to my self-growth?

3. Could this post possibly be a harmful trigger to a viewer?

4. Am I being kind to myself in this post?

You may say that individuals have become too sensitive to such things and that they should be taken with a grain of salt. That being said, it’s easier said than done for many users. Trends start small and gradually grow to be of high value to online communities. Change works the same. We each have a powerful part to play in how we shape the future of our society. Being mindful of your actions is one of the ways to leave a positive imprint through social media.

Remember, being mindful of your actions helps reinforce strength and purpose within yourself.

Power on, my friends.