The internet is the top instrument for creating anything your mind can conceive. More specifically, social media is the medium that many utilize to seek fame, become an influencer, start a business, distract themselves, learn, keep up with friends, enemies or their favorite celebrity’s lives. My reason for still having a personal account is receiving daily doses of inspiration from creatives, mindfulness and self-development from professionals who willingly share bits of what they know for free. I then turn around and share anything that resonates, which in return may assist someone else on their journey. Whether you’d prefer, Facebook, Twitter, Clubhouse, LinkedIn, SnapChat, TikTok, or the fan-favorite, Instagram, there is something for you. I’d like to honorably mention Vine (2013-2017), TikTok would be nothing without you.
During the inception of social media, My Space and Black Planet took over. Your Top 8 changed as frequently as the wind and many mastered HTML, before you knew how solid that knowledge would be in the future. Not to mention finding the right song or playlist for your page. Skip to 2010 to the inception of Instagram where users mostly posted random, but also regular and relatable photos of their meals or poorly stylized snapshots of their day. There was little to zero pressure to “market” yourself or use specific filters, let alone sell yourself solely on these new social platforms. Fast forward 11 years and every brand you know and don’t know has a profile on all of these platforms. It’s genius when you think about how these communities have evolved. The way videos have evolved in to stories and reels (even quicker than everything I just mentiond) lets us know the wellspring of something vaster than we can imagine is on the horizon.
Social media platforms are now overly saturated in every possible category, which gives everyone something they can align with. As we are all still adjusting to the page turner 2020 was and the one 2021 is currently developing in to, we could try to utilize these online resources for something more than socializing. The virtual world has been a saving grace for everyone sequestered in their homes and longing for a pseudo-getaway. Out of all of this, the “Instagram Therapists” were reborn. While many scoff at these profiles (folks who prefer FOX News) there are creatives with credible life experiences producing quality content, in addition to an equal amount of credentialed professionals using these platforms to be of service to anyone looking for some type of restoration or self-preservation.
I’m always a fan of a different perspectives when it comes to moving through life, especially maneuvering such unparalleled times. How to create and set better boundaries with people who may not share the same self-awareness as you, are big themes that keeps resurfacing. It’s heightened with everyone working from home and family not understanding people’s hesitancy to gather, amidst COVID. There has also been a baby boom considering all of the extra time indoors, which has new and repeat parents turning to the internet for hacks and advice. There are also people struggling with mental health or substance abuse because of the questions around normalcy and the changes we are all witnessing unfold before us. The only thing that hasn’t changed is people using Google at every turn. Nothing is the same, nor will it be.
Here are a few accounts that I’ve found in my extra time on social media that have helped me tremendously:
Maryam Hasnaa
Energy Worker
Twitter & Instagram: @maryamhasnaa
Website: https://www.maryamhasnaa.com/
Nedra Glover Tawwab
Therapist & Writer
Instagram: @nedratawwab
Book: Set Boundaries, Make Peace – available via Barnes & Noble, Amazon and other reputable book sellers (An amazing read! 10/10 recommend)
Dr. Nicole LePera
Psychologist & Writer
Instagram: @the.holistic.psychologist
Book: How to Do the Work – #1 NY Times BestSeller (Just ordered this one a week ago!)
Minaa B. LMSW
Therapist & Wellness Coach
Instagram: @minaa_b
Sopha Rush
Blogger on Motherhood & Marriage
Instagram: @sopharush
Raise Good Kids
Instagram & Podcast: @raisegoodkids
The internet is clearly not going anywhere, but the way we use it will continue to evolve. While your scrolling, make sure to check in with yourself and recalibrate. We all can attest to the fact that American society is rooted in “take culture”. The internet is taking all of your time, your credit card information and social skills (not sorry), so there’s nothing wrong with pouring back into yourself. Thank me later.