Detox - Your Social Media

8 Things to help you Cleanse your Life from Unhealthy Posting

In the new year, I read a lot about people working to establish better eating habits, turning toward clean eating, choosing organic, and working on detoxing their systems.  I think we just sort of know that we let a lot in our lives that is unhealthy.  Sometimes we need to clean things up!  As a pastor, I often wonder what would happen if we took the same steps with our social media presence.  I often hear of the damage done as the result of poor usage of Facebook, Twitter, and other platforms.  So what can we do to detox our social media practice?

1.)     Let It Sit:  When deciding to post something that you know is going to be controversial or get someone upset, I encourage you to write what you think in another format.  Write it down with pen and paper, in a Word Document, on the notes app of your phone.  Write it and let it sit.  Walk away from it for 12 to 24 hours.  If you are still passionate about what you are going to say…then post.  Most of the time, when the emotion passes so will the need to post.  

2.)    Don’t Regurgitate:  A lot of nonsense circulates through Social Media…we know that!  We know that not everything that goes viral is true!  We know these things…why do we continue to fall prey to lies?  Take a moment and ask the question, “Does this feel true?”  “Who is saying it?”  “Are there any sources behind what is being said?”  Don’t reshare something without first doing everything in your power to find out if it is true.  Too often our quick reposting reveals our prejudices and the shadow side of our beliefs.

3.)    Careful in using BFF:  Hey there are other people that like you too!  There are others that think they are close to you too!  When you throw out BFF all the time what you are doing is laying claim to someone as your “best” friend, telling everyone in the Social Media world they are your possession.  You are also saying to others… “I’ll only go so far with you because the ‘bestie’ position is already taken.”  

4.)    Stream of Consciousness –Really?  I often think to myself, “I’m glad that people don’t know all that goes on in my mind all the time.”  Sometimes thoughts are passing thoughts.  Let them pass!  We don’t need to know how regularly you are tossed and blown about by the whims of change.  

5.)    Avoid the Teaser Posts:  Are you guilty?  Have you posted statuses that are elusive, but say enough to get people wondering about you?  “I wonder if they are alright?”  You have a way of saying just enough to make people start swirling about what could possibly be going on with you.  Instead, why don’t you reach out to those trusted people in your life and share with them?  

6.)    Should I Really Tag Them?:  Listen, times change.  Sometimes old things are just that…old things.  What might have been received well by a person at one time in their life may not be received well by them now.  Give them a choice.  Before posting a picture of them from the past – from the “Good Ole Days” instant message them and ask them first.  They may be in a profession or with people who would not find “Glory Day” pics funny.  Also, don’t tag someone as a way of saying to others, “I know something you don’t know.”  

7.)    Get Beyond the Passive Aggressive Posts:  We look like cowards when we post something about someone that we wouldn’t say to their face.  Likewise, when we toss things out that we aren’t clear about it can get people wondering if that is about them.  Don’t use Social Media as a way of getting back at someone from a safe distance.  

8.)    You Can’t Get it Back:  You can edit and you can delete it, but not before someone has seen it or screen shot it.  Think…do I want this to land?  Will I stand behind it a week from now?  Am I proud of what I am saying?  Will I be kicking myself later?  It’s too quick to go from mind to fingers.  Give it time.  Make a good decision. 

 

Just a few easy simple steps to Detox your life from unhealthy Social Media decisions.  There is nothing inherently wrong or evil with social media.  But!  When we fail to be diligent, discreet, or thoughtful we can contribute to our own lack of relational health and the health of others.