My 5 Steps For Staying Emotionally Healthy… While Using Social Media

I have been using social media for over four years now

when I started with my blog

followed by Facebook

Instagram

and 

recently I am giving twitter a try.

I have been so appreciative of

the many gifts involved

in the communities I have become a part of

and

especially the wonderful people 

I have met all around the world.

All because of social media.

But I have also realized

that as with many things in life

social media

can become a double edged sword

unless I take good self care

and 

follow my own rules of using
social media
that

I know work for me

in order to stay emotionally  healthy

and

only reap the positives to be had

with using social media.

My number one rule for using 

social media

Never Compare.

This is a big one I learned from using 

social media

and 

luckily has transferred into my offline life as well.

I must admit

there was a time I saw others

and 

compared not only 

myself

but

my life as well.

Then one day

in the midst of a time of being 

broken wide open

I learned to 

appreciate my own story.

Where it was that I came from

and 

how I had been shaped 

by what life had given me.

As soon as I could graciously accept 

my own story

with love and dignity

comparison was no more

only left in the wake
was

empathy
 for others

in the realization that

we are all doing the very best we can

with what we have at the time.

By truly accepting and respecting

myself
and
my own story

with love and grace

 comparison stopped for me

which 

gave me so much more time for joy
and
the ability to  truly revel
in the success of others.

My second rule I  have learned

Don't over identify with  the stats

of social media.

We are not our stats
whether the following be small
or
immense.
Never, ever look to a number
to help to define your self worth.
Concentrate on doing good work
and
being you.

Be sure not to self  identify if followers are few

and 

especially not to self identify 

if followers are many.
They are not markers of self worth
and
it's so easy to lose authenticity
in the chase of more.

For me I like to keep my blog

and

media real.

I share what's beautiful in my  life everyday

and 

I share the challenging parts too.

Because sometimes that's where 

the most meaningful connections are made.

I think we all can come together more easily

in the realizations 

that life is hard on us all at one time or another

and 

it is so comforting to know

we are not alone when it does.

The times that I loose sight of 

this aspect of my particular blog

and 

start doing things simply to boost

my stats

I lose the joy of  authentic sharing

and 

true connections.

Nothing has ever thrown me off my personal track

more than attending blogging conferences

with the intent of growing a following.

For me

I am much happier

sharing the beauty in my everyday

and 

sharing what I have learned

about self care

and

Crowning Yourself.

Don't Take Anything Personally

This is something I have learned with age.

Luckily for me

mean comments have been few and far between

but when I do get them

I let them roll off my back immediately

because I know any anger posted 

really has nothing to do with me.

I know this because years ago

when I was a bonafide

practicing perfectionist

I was wound so tight

and

so unhappy because of it

I flashed anger

at the least provocation 

and

it never really had anything to to with

anybody else

but 

me.

Be Kind.

There can definitely be negativity in social media.

I prefer to ignore this fact

and 

concentrate on

 the good that can be done.

Differing platforms of social media 

offer 

such perfectly easy ways

to share some love and kindness.

My particular favorite is 

Instagram.

But Meaningful comments 

are  such gifts
on any platform.

I know I have been on the receiving end

of 

words left on my blog

that are true gifts to my soul
and
have been life preservers
when my seas of life were
tumultuous.

Never, ever underestimate 

the power of 

heartfelt words.

Anytime I ever become

over interested in my own stats

I know the quickest cure 

is always to go out into the blog sphere

and

instagram

and 

leave some love.

Be Authentic

For me it's all about authenticity.

Both 

what I put out

and 

what I read and respond to.

Maybe that's just me

and 

my history with perfectionism

and

the realization

perfection in life

is a myth.

I personally connect and respond

with 

real

authentic

people and stories.

So that wraps up my 

personal strategy for

Staying Emotionally Healthy 

While Using Social Media.

I'd love to hear any tips
you have to share
on how you keep
the use of
Social Media
 Healthy and Positive.

As always my friends

I  wish you love and joy

as you style your life