I love my job. I love my job. I love my job. And I don’t mean it in an Emily-from-Devil-Wears-Prada kind of way, I really, wholeheartedly, love my job. Hi, I’m Dianne, and I’m one of Launchspace’s Branding & Marketing Associates. I was supposed to write about what a day in my (work) life looks like, but since Nica already gave a pretty good run-through of what we do, I decided to use this time instead to talk about the different side of our jobs and, if I'm really honest here, something really personal to me.
They say it’s very rare for someone to say that they’re happy with what they do, so I guess I’m one of the lucky ones. Day in and day out, I know I’m genuinely happy with what I do. But as with all things, it doesn’t come devoid from its own cons as well. As someone who works in the digital space, it’s my job to keep up with what’s new and trendy. I have to be on my toes and know what topics are relevant since everything seems to move ten times faster in the social media world. This is my job, but I can’t help but notice that even people who don’t do social media for a living, is living for social media. Safe to say, social media has taken over most of the hours of our days… and the cells in our brains. And when you have too much of something, it can become toxic.
One of the stigmas around platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. is that the environment of these platforms is detrimental to one’s mental health. To a point, I do agree, since I’ve been (and sometimes still am) down that road before. In a way, I guess the rise of social media cultivates societal pressure. You see people’s highlight reels so you can’t help but compare your own life to theirs. What you see on your feed becomes your own standard of how you should be living your life. But is it really social media’s fault… or our own?
Before, I used to think that social media is toxic because that’s just how it is. But, actually, it only becomes toxic if you make it to be. If you look at the bigger picture, these platforms actually do wonders for the community: it improves ease of communication, helps businesses reach their audience more efficiently, and becomes an outlet for one’s creativity and self-expression, among others. So, how do you shift your perspective and headspace from shaming these platforms, into viewing them as something that actually helps you? I can’t say that there’s only one sure way that would fit everyone, but personally, these are the things that worked for me:
1. Be in the moment
“Wherever you are, make sure you are there.” I saw this quote a few days back, and I feel like it’s such a good reminder for us not to let our devices consume us. I’m guilty of this, too, but am trying my best to actually be in the moment, instead of just documenting it. I don’t want to miss life happening in front of me just because I was too consumed by my phone. 😩
2. Create a safe space
Social media is toxic, only if you make it to be. Personally, I found that being mindful with the accounts that I follow on Instagram helped a lot in shifting my perspective. I try my best to surround myself with content I know will be good for my mental and emotional wellness instead of detrimental. Here are some accounts that lift me up:
• Instagram.com/@bodyposipanda
• Instagram.com/@beyondbeautifulbook
• Instagram.com/@i_weigh
• Instagram.com/@thefashionfitnessfoodie
• Instagram.com/@morganharpernichols
3. Take a break
Admittedly, there really are times that media platforms can seem too “crowded” and “noisy” for my liking. Whenever I find myself feeling too overwhelmed, a good break, even for just a few hours, does wonders for me. I feel like it’s important for me to take a step back and re-focus from time to time just so I’m aware that I won’t get too sucked into the void of pressure and anxiety.
We paint social media in a bad light, but I think it’s neither good nor bad. It really depends on how you use it and how you perceive it. I hope that with the three tips outlined, more people would look at social media as a helpful tool to connect people, cultivate creativity, and promote self-expression.