01/24/2025
I want you to try this.
Set a timer for 5 minutes. Scroll through or listen to whichever social media platform you prefer (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn). This can also include news outlets such as Fox News or CNN, podcasts, or tv shows, etc.
Once the timer goes up, I want you to close your eyes and check in with yourself for 3-5 breaths. Notice any sensations in your body. Is there any tension, lightness, or numbness?
Now, I want you to reflect on what emotions you just experienced in that amount of time.
Write them down.
Use the feelings wheel to help with naming what emotions you just experienced in that time frame.
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I am going to safely assume that you experienced many different emotions, ranging from joyful to critical, boredom to disgust, anger to inspiration, jealousy to playful, or even fear, all in the span of less than 5 minutes depending on your algorithm.
It’s important for us to remember that we have such an abundance of access to information that it can be a lot for our brain to process and it keeps us in our head instead of our body.
Our social media algorithms don’t have our best interest at heart, regardless of how we think they might. These platforms are useful when used with consideration because let’s be honest - social media has provided voiceless people voices and access to different versions of community and information that has been helpful toward progressing our society toward love and understanding.
But when we’re navigating through self esteem issues, disordered eating patterns, addiction, relationship issues, financial crisis, national and international crisis, it’s important for us to remember that it’s actually okay to not engage at such an intense pace.
It’s important to be informed and even more important to make sure it’s at a sustainable pace for you and your nervous system.
As you navigate through this next month to a year and more, I want you to remember this practice each time you consume. Perhaps, practice it with your children, students, family, or friends as well.
When we are able to become more conscious to our thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, we will be able to grow in our capacity to sit with all parts of ourselves and find ways for a more flourishing life, even when life feels heavy. This mindful practice will also aid us in sustainably fighting toward liberating ourselves and systems in place from oppression because we will be ‘seeing’ and acting with more intention, clarity, and spaciousness to our values and lived experiences.
Cheers to mindful consumption, my friends.
