Our inner world is the lens through which we see the world. What we consume, through news, social media and entertainment, will directly impact how and what we think about ourselves, the others and the world.
But what exactly are we feeding ourselves with? what ideas, attitudes and information? and how is it helping us deal with the current situation (which, in my opinion, is a long way from being over)?
These questions have been on my mind since the beginning of the Coronavirus outbreak/lock down, and I strongly encourage you to start looking at your own virtual consumption through a more critical lens.
Your social media
“How does this make me feel?” is a question I started asking myself more and more, each day, as I scroll through Instagram and Facebook.
Is the source of the post reliable, can I verify the information presented from (at least) two other independent sources? and how is it serving me? is it simply someone’s opinion, or is it a fact? more importantly, what type of message is being conveyed? that of hope and optimism, solution-oriented, or it just amplifies the fear, anxiety and a non-compromising white/black approach? I personally find name-calling, blaming, or negatively charged posts extremely draining and inefficient in solving real issues and problems, as well as being incapable in bringing people with opposite views together, something I personally think we need now more than ever.
Being particularly vulnerable due to our physical isolation from our friends, family and coworkers, it is even more important to start curating our social media consumption prioritizing our own well being above all else. It is ok to take a break, to mute, to delete, to unfollow.
Your entertainment
I know that through music, movies and TV shows, we are transported. We can envision different worlds, we can learn, and we can escape. That being said, music, movies and shows ultimately portray and encourage one of the two core beliefs of humankind: is the world imperfect but ultimately good and redeemable, or is it bad, corrupted and unsafe?
Watch yourself for the next few weeks. See what you gravitate towards, and how does it make you feel: calm, hopeful, energized, or sluggish, angry and anxious? what core beliefs and attitudes do the music, movies and TV shows that you watch feed? In the end, how do you want to feel and how do you want our world to look like? we can actively, consciously create and impact our reality through our views, likes, follows, votes and purchases.
Your apps
It is estimated that people spend now 20% more time on apps than ever before. Not surprising, given that we now live, work and communicate solely from home and through virtual channels. Which also means that we spend more time in front of a screen.
Do all the apps that you currently use serve you? and how will the continued use of them impact you on the long run? would reducing their number allow you to have more time for yourself, time that could, perhaps, be invested in things that bring you more peace, joy and support your well-being in the process?
I often think that our lives are so precious, time goes by in a flash, but we waste it so easily.
Through this post, I wanted to offer you a gentle reminder to start looking at your online habits in a different, more critical way. To encourage you to start reclaiming (some of) your time and to direct it towards more joyous, uplifting and grounding activities. So much of how we perceive ourselves, our wants and lacks, comes from the media that we consume.
So let’s make sure that it helps us feel better about ourselves, not worse! Let’s practice then, little by little, a more mindful consumerism, aimed at creating space for more joy in our lives, and less overwhelm.
Much love,
Roxi
*photo take by me, many moons ago, during one of our Eco Steps projects in Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Let's talk!