Social Media Is One Tempting Digital Playground
It’s like serving in a presidential buffet, and you put every dish on your plate because why not?
They all look good, and besides, olives dipped in cardamom honey and veggie-filled tortilla wraps, you wouldn’t want to miss out on the health benefits, right? Wrong.
You end up with a mountain of food that doesn’t quite work together, and halfway through, you’re too full and regretting those weird fish cakes.
So, how do you swap your social media consumption strategy from “whatever works” to “crafted for greatness?”
How can you immerse yourself in whatever is online without the constant headaches, anger (for the X users), and unproductive feelings that come with extending your sleeping time to late hours, setting you up for a grumpy morning?
Here’s how to revolutionize your online life and protect your mental health using these 2 simple principles when deciding on your media usage.
Principle 1: Bye-bye, ‘Any-Benefit Approach’
You’re scrolling through your feed, and every post feels like a little jolt of excitement.
You stumble on a baking video just because the icing colors look good, then a conspiracy theory on the moon landing, cliff diving in the Caribbeans.
Before you know it, you’ve spent hours chasing digital rabbit holes.
This is the Any-Benefit Approach—the idea that any interaction, no matter how trivial, is worth your time if it gives you a bit of joy or distraction.
Why it’s a problem: This approach can lead to what experts call digital exhaustion [1] where you feel drained and mentally cluttered from endless, often pointless, online interactions.
Studies show that [2] this kind of behavior can heighten feelings of anxiety and depression.
Principle 2: Hello, ‘Craftsman Approach’
Think of the contestants on MasterChef—guys who have mastered their craft.
These chefs don’t just grab every ingredient they see; they choose high-quality, specific items to enhance their dishes.
They know that the right combination of ingredients will create a masterpiece, while a haphazard mix will result in a mess.
That’s the Craftsman Approach.
Instead of asking, “Can this app do something for me?”
Ask, “Is this the best app for my most important needs?”
“Does this social platform promise delayed gratification (productivity, learning, inspiration)?”
“No? I’m tossing it out!”
Why it’s a game-changer: When you engage with social media purposefully, you curb time wastage and boost your mental health.
Studies show that [3] people who use social media with a specific goal like finding educational content or connecting with supportive communities.
Experience lower anxiety levels and greater life satisfaction.
Why Go Craftsman? The Perks!
1. Improved Focus & Productivity: Spending less time jumping from one app to another means focusing on what matters. You’ll get stuff done faster, leaving more time for actual fun.
2. Enhanced Mental Heath: Say goodbye to the constant pinging and the anxiety of staying updated with everyone and everything. Your mind will feel like it just had a spa day.
3. Quality Connections: Your interactions become more meaningful with fewer distractions—reduced frothy back-and-forth texting; intentional time for quality talk time.
How to Craft Your Perfect Social Media Experience
1. Spy on Your Habits: For one week, be a detective of your own life. Track your apps, how much time you spend on them, and why.
2. Set Your Goals: What do you want from social media? News, inspiration, learning, memes that make you snort-laugh? Write it down.
3. Clean Up Your Feed: Unfollow the noise. Keep the accounts that bring value to your life. If it doesn’t make you smarter, happier, or more inspired, it’s out.
4. Use Screen-Time Features: Decide on social media times and stick to them. A timer will keep you at bay when you fall into the trap of binge-watching.
5. Check-In Regularly: Just like you’d tweak a recipe, adjust your social media habits to keep them in line with your goals.
Wrapping It Up
So, there you have it: 2 powerful principles to transform your social media habits and protect your mental health.
Moving away from the Any-Benefit Approach and embracing the purposeful, goal-oriented Craftsman Approach will make your online time more meaningful and shield you from the stress and anxiety that often come with digital overconsumption.
Remember, social media is a tool, not a trap.
Use it wisely, and it can be a valuable asset in your quest for knowledge and inspiration.
Cheers to a more mindful online experience!
