If you’re reading this you probably use social media. It’s no secret that social media has become not only a powerful tool in connecting with one another, but also a huge catalyst in helping to spread powerful information that has changed our world. After all, where would CE be if we weren’t able to connect our information to everyone through social media?
But with any great tool comes great responsibility. Users must know how to navigate it in such a way that they can avoid running into unnecessary personal or cultural challenges.
Due to the culture around social media, people often blame the tools themselves for causing “problems” rather than looking at the human consciousness behind how people are using it. This can be said about many things we do in our world. Inherently they are fine, but the way we use them can be very destructive. In this sense, there is nothing wrong with technology. It all comes down to how we use it and, ultimately, our consciousness.
Things We “Shouldn’t” Do
Of course you can do whatever you like, you have complete freedom to do that. We’re merely being playful with these words. This week’s episode of These Guys was all about social media and how we use it. As always we put some great love into this episode so be sure to check it out and subscribe to our channel for more!
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1. Posting Things To Get Approval
This is something we can get caught in quite easily, as we seem to put so much value on the “Like.” When you post something, allow it to come from a genuine place and don’t worry about how well it does or what other people are going to say about it. It will often feed self-consciousness as opposed to allowing us to look at it within ourselves.
2. Making It Our Main Form Of Socialization
Too often we do everything on social media and in turn we become socially awkward in real social settings. It’s easy to be behind a computer screen, calculate what we say, and not have to be as “real” with other people. But this won’t allow us to build true genuine connections and there’s something quite powerful about eye to eye contact. Remember to keep real social interactions a part of your life too.
3. Using It As A Source To Lash Out & Be Angry
It seems like we have a really easy time being extremely rude and mean to each other online – so much so that most of what we say online would never be said to that person if we were in front of them. Perhaps it’s a method of trying to get a laugh from other people, or perhaps we are unaware and hurting inside, and thus act unconsciously hostile towards others as a means of expressing that inner pain. Or maybe we’ve simply lost the connection to others in a way where we can be civil. Nonetheless, remember that there is a human on the other side of the screen and ask yourself why you want to be so mean or angry in the first place.
4. Creating A False Version Of Ourselves
On social media it’s easy to tell a story that isn’t true. Because we can pre-meditate and alter anything we like, we can create a version of ourselves that doesn’t even exist simply so we can make ourselves look a certain way for others. Remember to be genuine and if you find yourself wanting to alter your story, ask yourself why. How does this make me feel? What am I trying to get out of this?
5. Stalking A Former Partner
Relationships come and go sometimes and it can be tempting to stalk them or their new partner through social media. Typically we do this out of self-consciousness or feeling like we need to compare ourselves to others, but in the end it can lead to some tough times and it can prolong our journey in getting through a break up. Remember to make your emotions about YOU, not others. Find out what you can control and adjust and let others have their journey.
What leaves me perplexed is not the list itself, but the fact that out there there are individuals who need it.
“2. Making It Our Main Form Of Socialization” This is easy to say if you’re healthy and in a place where you CAN get out to socialize. For those who are homebound (or very nearly so), social media for socialization is a wonderful thing. Unless, of course, you’re trying to say that no socialization is better than using social media to socialize.
As for the rest of this list…yeah, it makes me sad that it even needs to be said. And yet, I know there are people who do all of these things.
#6. Asking someone to “Like” your web page before you even get a chance to read the article.
hey the subway was like that long before the internet was “invented”. trust me, i’m old and i rode the subway before the internet. texting is not the ruination of everything. some things were already that way, just thot u young guys would want to know that…. your welcome!
You’re right! It has always been like that but we hope to see that change! Would be great if people talked to their fellow neighbours a lot more often. Break down social barriers etc.
1. Posting Things To Get Approval
Except for this article. Share it as much as you want. 😉
6.
Make video’s longer then 5 minuts
After all that, what’s left?
Hi Joe
When I started out my journey as a blogger, I was also under the wrong impression of more likes means more happiness. Now, when I post anything, I don’t go behind the numbers. To me, connections matter more than mere likes.
Your second point on ‘not sticking to the virtual world’ is absolutely right. We need to make balance and understand the importance of both worlds.
Ya, some people post rude comments to pull other’s down. Either their intention is to get attention or they try to hide their weakness by loud comments
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post.