A Millennial ponders social media and health
Remember when the Internet used to be FUN? Small DIY sites coded by someone who had just learned HTML from a textbook, message forums about anything and everything and even the very beginnings of social media as we know it now (Anyone else remember Bebo???). It was all low-stakes experimentation and connection. It didn’t require you to pick an “aesthetic” or identify your own “personal brand” and there was no real thought given to going viral.
As a spoonie my energy is limited. Each day I have to decide on how I choose to spend the small amount of energy allocated me. And yet I can still find myself mindlessly scrolling on social media. In the past month I’ve seen a deluge of AI-generated videos flooding my feeds. Yes they’re technologically impressive but I can’t say that seeing a AI granny fall into an AI tigers den left me any better off. It left me wondering: why am I spending time watching this type of trash?
From Connection to Exploitation
People have been sounding the alarm on social media since it came into our lives. At first they were just a new and fun way to connect with others but now they are marketing machines that try to emotionally provoke us into responding to the content they show us. Carefully researched algorithms provide us with content that feels relevant enough to us that we will tolerate it but which ultimately aims to meet the companies marketing goals.
Starting a small health coaching business made me feel like I needed to wade into these platforms to make myself visible. didn’t have outrageous ambitions of brand collaborations, I just wanted to get myself out there and connect with others. But here’s the thing – the social media platforms today are giant corporations that try to control what, how and when we post content and if anyone gets to see it. They want you to provide them with aesthetic and marketable content, and they want a steady stream of it! If you can’t post every day or even multiple times a day then your reach suffers. I realised how bad it got when I saw a social media marketer I followed drop off all their socials. They later revealed that they had developed burn out as they just couldn’t keep up with it all – and this was a full-time social media marketer!
As a spoonie who has to work full-time to keep a roof over my head it is impossible to keep up with that insanity. So instead of trying to convince a board room of social media suits that my content is worthy - I’m here! Writing out my thoughts on my own terms. If I reach people great, if not then oh well. I am not trying to be something I am not. I am not promoting something that is unsustainable and I’m not feeding a system that is fundamentally ableist!
Rediscovering Joy (and Boredom)
So how am I using social media in my own life as a Millennial, spoonie and health coach? Well, I’m repeatedly setting boundaries with myself around its use. Whereas before I would open an app when I had a few minutes of spare time (usually resulting in my beating myself mentally for not posting more – ugh), now I am just sitting with myself. Sometimes with a book! I’ve rediscovered boredom. And yes that’s a good thing! Because instead of consuming empty content on social media, I find myself reaching more for creative pursuits or just sitting and appreciating the present moment. The mental noise has greatly reduced. Highly recommend!
And if I feel like I want to post something online I do. But only for the enjoyment of it. I am not trying to keep up with those corporations, I’m just doing my own thing. RIP the gentle days of the early Internet and hello to rediscovering the peace of my own mind!
If you’re thinking of reviewing your own use of social media you might like to check out this short article and guide from UC Davis Health! https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/social-medias-impact-our-mental-health-and-tips-to-use-it-safely/2024/05