Is Social Media too negative?

Social media is a fuckin weird social construct, isn't it?  

Just 30 short years ago (ok ... maybe that is a bit longer sounding, than it is in my mind), I was using an electronic typewriter for my University papers and I thought I was on fire, technically speaking.  I remember hearing about how the "information highway" was going to change the world as we know it.

And it did.

Even though I do miss my electronic typewriter at times (it didn't get viruses or need a freakin tech wizard to figure out where the fuck my emails went to) I now have a  business that is COMPLETELY online.  That's pretty crazy.  But what it also did, was lead us toward social media.  I've made some of the most unbelievable friendships with people that I've never even met yet.  I have been able to keep in touch with those who are not physically near me and I have been exposed to people who have truly changed my life through social media (versus checking out the "new releases" section of the bookstore).  

For all of that goodness though, social media has also opened us up to a world of cyber bullying, keyboard warriors and a world of disconnected humans.  Some people WRITE stuff that they would never speak.  Sometimes, if exposed to it for long enough, you might see formal announcements from a friend who says that they are taking a break from social media ... it's "too negative".  

OK so here's the thing ... the NEWS is negative.  Turn that sucker on and it's death, destruction, crime and fear all the time.  Social media, however, is curated by YOU so you get to determine your experience with it.

Let's just let that sink in for a second.  

Yes YOU are in control of what comes into your newsfeed ... so it's not social media that is negative ... it's the people who you are allowing into your online space.  Just as you can be particular with who you choose to hang around with on a Saturday evening, you get to choose your experience online.  So let's figure out how we can improve that, shall we?  

Here are some of my top tips for a positive social media experience:

1) don't be an asshole in your own social media presence.  If you are one, you will attract more of the same.  Be grateful, be positive, share your learning moments, a laugh and spread that good goodness to others.  Use this as an opportunity to brighten someone else's day in some way.

2) if your FB FRIEND is an asshole, unfollow, unfriend or hide his/her posts.  SERIOUSLY.  You don't need to publicly stone them here, just hide their posts for a bit.  

3) if your friend's posts piss you off, make you feel badly about yourself or just generally give you a negative feeling ... see point #2.   Remove yourself from situations that make you feel terrible.  If you feel that "fight or flight" mechanism kick in ... it's time to re-evaluate why you want this person's shit in your newsfeed.

4) get off of those "FB rant and rave" groups.  While I have not been part of those groups because they are so toxic energetically, you and I both know that the rants become like an open opportunity to bully people on line.  Don't stay in those groups to "see" if people are talking about you.  Staying in that negativity out of fear, is so much more destructive than ANYTHING anyone could possibly say about you right?  Also ... see #1 and #2.

5) Follow people or pages of those who inspire you.  When you find them, interact on them!!  The more you like, comment and share the more THOSE posts will show up in your newsfeed.  You can literally create a pretty cool inspirational sampling each and every time you open up your app.

I love love love that WE get to control our social media experience ... and if you look at mine, you'll see that everything is positive.  I purposely create it that way.  I edit each and every time I'm on my newsfeed and I encourage you to do the same.  Read a post that ticks you off?  Immediately unfollow or just remove them from showing up in your newsfeed for a bit by taking a break.

Social media is AMAZING ... when you curate it to be.  

XO
Sandra