SWAP SOCIAL MEDIA FOR MEANINGFUL MOMENTS
New research shows that people who post huge numbers of pictures online are more likely to be depressed. Emma reveals how to regain control if your apps are taking over
few years ago A I found myself transfixed by a group of young women in a bar. They barely spoke until one of them pulled out her phone to take a photo. Every single girl stood to selfie attention and, in an instant, they all appeared to be having the time of their lives. It was evidence that social media is a myth.
New research has found that posting large numbers of pictures on social media could be a sign of depression – and to me that makes total sense. If all you can think about is how you look, or how many likes you receive, you are not living an authentic life, which is one of the benchmarks of genuine happiness.
People take hundreds of selfies, then post the “perfect” one and feel thrilled at the “likes” they receive, but they have actually rejected their true image 99 per cent of the time. Photos are not meant to capture perfection, they are meant to snap moments with meaning that will remind us of a life well lived, full of genuine, happy experiences.
If you want to know whether you have an issue with your social media relationship, scroll through your pictures. If you see a good spattering of daft and generally unselfconscious images, you probably have the balance right. If all your photos show you in your best possible light, filters eradicating flaws, you need a more honest relationship with your wider world. Happy people are unafraid of who they are, warts and all – and friends and family love them for it.
People also use social- media as a shaming tool for relationship issues. If you start typing a cryptic status update about your partner that clearly indicates you are having problems, stop. Relationships require trust and intimacy, and telling the world that your other half has let you down kills that trust.
Learning to think before you post is key. Instead of updating your feed in a moment of passion (be it good, bad or ugly), instead consciously pick moments with meaning. This reduces anxiety about the response you receive, because you will feel connected to the reason behind the post regardless. Occasionally leaving your phone at home can also help to break the cycle of automatically sharing your world, and it will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the moment and really enjoy life.