Dorset Mind volunteer Annabel Goddard suggests breaking the social media cycle to rediscover passions and boost your mental well-being
Today’s young people navigate a world vastly different from that of just 20 years ago. In an era where social media plays a pivotal role, lacking an interest in it could unintentionally close off opportunities across various industries – not just in digital media. Building an online presence has become an essential step in launching a career, increasingly affecting the way future employers will assess potential candidates.
Careers aside, social media influencers effectively rule your feed and your For You page – whether you follow them or not. They dominate advertising space, receiving an array of exciting things to try for “free” (in exchange for a few favourable words to their thousands of followers). It’s increasingly challenging not to envy their curated lives – and to resist the temptation to aspire to be like them.
What we consume has become intertwined with relentless advertising on platforms such as TikTok, which suggests new influencers to follow and new things to buy every day. It can become overwhelming – I found it so much so that I deleted the app.
And from what I’ve learned now I’m outside the endless scrolling, it might not be a bad idea for others to do the same.
Disconnect the doomscroll
If you begin to feel overwhelmed or anxious due to the addictive nature of scrolling, it might be a good idea to take a big, deep breath and disconnect from the online world for a little while. It’s really not much fun watching people get paid to make videos on the internet while you intermittently browse the situations vacant pages.
Cutting out a huge amount of digital media – and all that comparing yourself with people online – can help to put things into perspective … especially when you realise social media only shows one side of the story, especially from influencers.
Instead, use your time to find hobbies and things you love. You might be an avid reader, walker, runner or plant parent – and you just don’t know it yet!
Break the social media cycle.
It’s so easy to become glued to the screen, but you won’t remember any of the TikToks you watch in a week’s time. You will remember a book you read, or a walk you had.
Time is the most valuable asset you have – use it to nurture yourself and enjoy experiences, rather than wasting hours with endless doom-scrolling. Eventually you’ll gain some confidence, your happiness will increase and hopefully you’ll find where you really want to go in life.
It can also be a good way into your chosen industry – interviewers will love that you know who you are and have active interests. You’ll have something positive to show for the time you might have spent scrolling. And even if you really do want to be an influencer, you’ll have worked on your own personal brand enough to start growing a platform.
Social media isn’t inherently evil; but the digitalscape has turned into a slew of adverts, paid partnerships and brand deals.
It’s no wonder so many of us feel inadequate! It’s important to remember to follow people you love and to celebrate things you love before comparing yourself with anyone else. You have control over what you consume in your feed. And do try taking a break – I promise you won’t regret it!
Support for you:
- First steps towards support should be to speak to someone – a trusted friend, family member, professional or your GP
- Visit Dorset Mind for local mental health support and helpful advice
- The Samaritans are there to listen 24/7, call them free on 116 123
- Call Dorset’s mental health helpline Connection for support on 0800 652 0190
