What is the first thing you do in the morning?
If you're anything like 80% of the population, you spend the morning's first conscious moments groping for your beloved phone. Emails, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter soak up our attention even before we've stumbled out of bed and usually before we've made any 'real' human contact.
Nurturing your notifications first thing in the morning can be great; you never miss a birthday, text or celebrity selfie. Keeping up with daily politics is a luxury that we can enjoy under the warmth of our duvets and browsing vine never fails to induce morning breath chuckles. Checking your phone can be a wonderful, mood-boosting way to start the day.
But not always.
Recently, I have come to terms with the reality that checking social media in the morning directly affects the rest of my day. A positive effect is infrequent. I love waking up to notifications and messages - we all do, and getting all my social media-ing done and dusted in the early hours is the perfect way to ensure that the rest of my day is spent productively. So why then, do I feel so depleted after this morning ritual?
The problem is not that I'm checking my phone, but it is that I am being exposed to a certain type of content. My feed on most social networks consists of Teatox drinking, Valentino wearing, sun-kissed mega babes. All with killer bodies. Most with brows on fleek. Although I know it's just a push-up bra and a few MAC products, I can't help but feel pressured by social media giants. And it's not just me. Individuals tend to share only the best snippets of their lives, but in doing so, they create an illusion of perfection. No matter the vastness of our influence, we all strive to create the best image of ourselves on the internet. Knowledge of this, it seem, is very difficult to remember when you're scrolling through a model's holiday photos. Especially first thing in the morning.
"I wish I looked like that!" "I wish I had that!" "Why aren't I that successful?" "You're so amazing!" "Perfect."
Getting consumed by the bubble of social media is effortless, and the further you go, the more difficult it is to remember that it is just a bubble. It's merely a screenshot of a handful of people's lives and you have no obligation to strive for their façade. Instead of being a slave to the media and internalising its ridiculous standards, I decided to do a crazy thing. I stopped checking my phone in the mornings. Astonishing. It made all the difference.
Your first waking moments are crucial in determining your mood for the day, and should be a time for positivity, love and appreciation for yet another 24 hours of life. Just a shower and a bowl of fruit is enough to get me in high spirits, and you know what, it's hard for social media to bring you down when you're bright-eyed with confidence in full grasp.
Thank you for reading - what are your thoughts? Does social media affect you?
Have a wonderful day
I agree so much with you, it's just a huge bubble, we must open our eyes and see the reality before we get overwhelmed by the virtual life
ReplyDeleteyour article is soooo interesting my dear
kisses
http://www.theitalianglam.com/
Exactly! You're so right! Keeping yourself grounded is so important in this age of social media.
DeleteThank you so much for having a read <3 Enjoy your day!
I never thought of it that way! So true, but I've come to terms with who I am, comparing yourself to others and wishing for things gets you nowhere. People need to appreciate what they already have, I mean you woke up in a warm bed. Surely that shift be enough.. x
ReplyDeleteThat's brilliant; self acceptance and confidence are fundamental steps to long-term happiness :) Exactly" I totally agree - perspective is everything :) x
DeleteSocial media has had a huge effect on the work including how we socialise. I try to not check my phone until I've at least had my coffee!
ReplyDeleteJenn | Jennifer Jayne
Haha that is a good idea, Jenn! You're so right! Thanks for reading, lovely x
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