from doomscrolling to dreamscrolling 😍📲

A lot of Mental Health peeps suggest taking a break from social media to help your mood and focus (how many of these, I wonder, have some poor unpaid intern posting their social media for them while *they* take a break???). I'm not saying breaks aren't helpful, BUT I do want to add that there is another option.

Right now I am running on this *insanely* positive energy, because when I woke up this morning, my phone fed me AWESOME for breakfast. Science breakthroughs, painting videos, parkour, interior design projects, mental health tips, wildlife photography.... BAM! 🤩 And that was just my insta feed.

But not everyone's feed feels that way. So how do we transform our social media from a dumpster fire of ranting, trolls, politics and negativity, into an armory of inspo for our own personal growth? Here are some ideas.

START FRESH.

Sifting through a friends/following/whatever list can be exhausting. If you start a new account, you don't have to waste your time and energy tossing out garbage one piece at a time. You also don't have to deal with "Hey, why aren't we friends on -pick a platform- anymore?" kind of messages. New account, new *you*! Make sure to check your privacy settings, and adjust them as needed to help you feel safe and create the kind of space you need.

CURATE.

Be honest with yourself about what makes you happy and inspires you, and FILL your feed with it! Everyone has their personal likes and interests, and you have to experiment and see what works for you. You might want to start by following accounts that share positive news-- advances in science, stories of people being kind to others, that kinda thing. (Very helpful for moments when your hope in humanity is dwindling!)

But be aware that some things can go both ways. For example, I follow a lot of athletes, and on most days, they inspire me to appreciate the human body and pursue my own potential. However, on days that I am in an incredible amount of pain (chronic illness) those same accounts can trigger feelings like jealousy, resentment, anger and grief. Pay attention to how you *feel* when viewing different types of content and stick to topics that are a positive influence on your emotions.

COMMENT.

You don't have to. Just absorbing the good stuff is powerful enough, however, if you *are* going to interact with people, I would suggest limiting yourself to compliments and gratitude. Simple phrases like,"OMG your art is amazing!" or "This made my day, ty for posting!" can be incredibly useful in helping us feel a sense of emotional and social connection, while at the same time, reminding us that we have something positive to give to others. It can be incredibly hard to *not* comment anything but positive things, especially at the beginning. If you're having a hard time, try keeping a journal to pour all of that energy into instead of making public comments. CONNECT CAREFULLY. Depending on what platform you're on (is anyone actually ON the new Myspace???) groups and group chats might be an option. But plz, *BE CAREFUL!*. Groups for personal development and mental health *can* be super helpful, providing support, friendship, and safe space for you to express yourself! They can also be full of rants, trolls, and triggering topics. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen people violently attacked in groups, even ones for seemingly harmless content like fish tanks. If you're going to join a group of any kind, I would suggest a well moderated group with carefully filtered members and clear guidelines that hold members accountable for their content.

BEYOND MEGA SOCIALS.

There are like a million apps out now offering everything from positive quotes to guided meditations, and many of them free--if you can tolerate their ad content! lol But srsly, take advantage of the amazing amount of opportunities out there to fill your phone with uplifting, encouraging content. A simple googling of "top apps for mental health" or "best apps for inspiration" with give you a shit ton of options. Explore and enjoy! 😘

I'm going to go check my phone. 😝

****************** This is what works for me. #imaketherules

It might not be what's best for you. #makeyourownrules #thinkforyourself