Rules for Social Media - Daily Ramblings
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Social media: Is it harming or helping our society? Some will argue that it is making more people depressed because they are comparing their lives to the "highlight reel" of others. Others will argue that social media has been the only way they are able to stay up to date with friends and family. I believe both camps are correct, which makes me wonder, how are we to interact with social media? I have created three simple rules which have helped me.
They are:
- The post must be positive in tone.
- The post should help uplift, motivate, or inspire others.
- Whenever possible, I want to show that having a family is pretty dang awesome and fulfilling!
I think after the last presidential election most people are better about posting things that match rule #1. Either that or I have blocked all the negative people at some point. Regardless, I seem to see mostly positive posts in my feed. Which makes me wonder how helpful a "highlight reel" really is. What can be learned from only seeing the good? This has caused me to tweak my rules a bit.
I have realized that by only publishing positive posts on social media that I am broadcasting a fake image of myself. I am presenting a person with very little issues or struggles. In my attempt to uplift, motivate, and inspire others I fail to show what I have been inspired to overcome. Because of that, I would like to add a rule #4 to my list: In all things, be real and authentic....even if that means you have to be vulnerable.
I am realizing that I can talk about my fears, struggles with leading my family, challenges which face loved ones, and other difficult things in life while still adhering to the first three rules. I can have fear without it negatively impacting my life. I can inspire others through my struggles in leading my family. And I can show how awesome family is when facing challenging times.
In short, I am realizing how much more I can impact other's lives when I am willing to let down my walls and be vulnerable with them. Positive change can only come from a place of vulnerable uncertainty.