Social media is really one of the most awesome gifts we could have nowadays. I know some may agree with that statement, but I definitely hold it to be true. I have been able to form friendships and keep connections in such a unique way through social media, that I wouldn’t have been able to without it. That’s just one of the reasons why I think it’s so great.
As a blogger and social media influencer, social media is naturally a huge part of my job and is a great passion of mine, too! When you’re an online influencer like me, it can be hard to discern the right time or season to take a step back from social media and just be in the now without it. My social media breaks are few and far between, they’re still important for me to take.
While there are silly jokes about signs you should take a social media break, there are also some very serious ones, too. I believe that every online influencer should take a social media break every once and awhile. Not only are social media breaks a healthy way to keep ourselves focused on what’s really important in life, but they’re actually a huge part in proper self-care as online influencers.
6 SIGNS YOU SHOULD CONSIDER TAKING A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK:
1. SOCIAL MEDIA IS STRESSING YOU OUT //
I don’t know about you, but sometimes social media just gets to me and stresses me out. With life always having its seasons of stresses, we don’t need to let social media add even more to our overall stress. From posts on Facebook about what’s happening in the world all the way to deciding which Instagram photo to post, social media definitely has its times of stressing us out. Sometimes you have to step away to relieve yourself of the stress, because social media can put a lot of pressure on you; pressure that you don’t need.
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes social media puts pressure on you that you don’t need. Breaks are OK! >>” username=”SummerTelban”]
2. YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON IN YOUR PERSONAL LIFE //
Social media can sometimes take the characteristics of a separate life from our personal life, and to be honest, I think that’s super important. I’m not talking about not sharing about your life online, what I’m talking about is being able to know when it’s time to take time away from social media to tend to your real life. I know I can’t be alone in saying that sometimes I don’t post on my blog for an entire week and in that week I’m barely active on social media. What our culture needs to know is that this is okay!! If you have family situations you need to give attention to over social media, then take a break from social media. If you’re moving or are starting a new job, it’s okay to step away from the online world until you’re settled. It’s okay to take time away from social media to live and focus on your life.
3. YOU’RE FEELING UNINSPIRED //
As creatives, we can get in creative ruts sometimes where we find ourself just completely tired and uninspired. I wish this was a very rare thing, but it happens more often that I know I’d like to admit. Social media can be an awesome tool to finding inspiration, but in some seasons, it can be a stifler of inspiration. Instead of browsing Pinterest and Instagram, shut off the online world and get out in the real world. Do you have hobbies you love doing that generate joy for you? Get out and do them! You’d be surprised where you can find inspiration. Some of my best blogging ideas have come up when I was away from my computer and online life. If you’re feeling uninspired, change your pace for a little while. Shut your phone off and get out and explore your life.
[bctt tweet=”Sometimes you’ve got to shut your phone off to find inspiration. Get out and live.” username=”SummerTelban”]
4. YOU’RE HAVING ISSUES BEING PRODUCTIVE //
Let’s just get real for a moment here and just admit that we don’t always have it together, right influencers? While we aim to have everything planned out and while we claim we’re being productive, sometimes that’s just not the case, and that’s okay. If you find yourself having a hard time prioritizing, consider taking a day off from social media to figure out where you’re needing attention in prioritizing. If you find yourself overwhelmed from a busy life, maybe take a step back from the online world and see if you’re really being productive or if you’re just not using your time well. Social media can be such a distraction to us. Yes, that goes for those of us who social media is part of our job, too. It’s important to keep ourselves accountable, and nowadays that can mean taking a break from social media.
5. YOU’RE STUCK IN THE COMPARISON AND FOMO TRAP //
Comparison and the fear of missing out are two of the largest issues for our generation today. I’ll be the first to admit I struggle with both issues regularly and I think that social media is the biggest reason that I do. You scroll through Instagram and see everyone’s adventures, but you’re stuck at work everyday and still don’t have the money to do what you love. Yeah, I get you. It’s not that you’re jealous, but instead you’re beating yourself up because you’re not there yet. You’re feeling like you’re missing out on living your life. It’s sad how many of us struggle with this…let’s be real, we all have been there a few times, whether we want to admit it or not. Think about why we feel those things. If social media is a huge driver of this struggle for you, then you might want to sign out and take some time off to focus on all the good that is in your life.
6. YOUR AUTHENTICITY IS BEING COMPROMISED //
Now, this is the real tough one that most of us like to stray away from. Ironically, it’s one of the most important character aspects for not only bloggers and influencers, but it’s for all people. The moment when social media becomes an idol in our life, the temptation to give up our authenticity can arise. I’m not saying that everyone who uses social media can become inauthentic, because that’s dead wrong! What I’m saying is that if you’re always focus on social media, it’ll become an idol in your life. When something becomes an idol in your life, that’s when it becomes unhealthy. Ever hear of “too much of a good thing can be a bad thing?” It’s a true statement, especially with social media. As bloggers and social media influencers, this is where we’re really tested all of the time; every passing day. Will we accept a sponsored post from a company we don’t like just for the money? Will we buy followers on Instagram just so we have the number? Will we fake our personality to become more accepted? The questions can range and wander, but they’re there just the same. If you’re in a tough spot and you’ve intentionally or unintentionally have given up your authenticity, then maybe it’s time to turn away from social media and focus on your true self for awhile.
[bctt tweet=”To be a successful influencer, you’ve got to keep your authenticity. Don’t compromise it.” username=”SummerTelban”]
If you’re a blogger or social media influencer and you feel any of these points, acknowledge that it may be time for you to take a break. You want to put yourself and your healthiness first. Keep yourself accountable, so that you can keep growing and influencing how you’re supposed to.
