Hello everybody! Today I thought I would talk a bit about what I do to stay offline, now that I work… online. It sounds like an oxymoron, but alas I think that makes it even more important to remember healthy routines and habits to make sure that you are using social media in a positive and constructive way. At least, in my experience, it is all too easy to end up feeling down, stressed out, or straight pissed off because of whatever we are subjecting ourselves to. This is what I do to maintain positive social media habits.
Of course, this is about more than what is healthy for us, it is also about what is healthy for the planet. Because being online actually comes with quite an impact, which you can learn more about in this video.
1: When you are streaming, pay attention. I have been really bad at turning on a random Netflix show just to have some noise going on in the background while I do something else. But after learning about the impact of streaming, I have opted for only streaming content when I know I can pay attention and actually watch what I am streaming.
the annual emissions caused by streaming and data storage accounts for 5-6% of global emissions, the same as plane travel
2. Create boundaries and off-hours. It is so easy to sit and scroll through Instagram for hours and hours on end, and while that is also okay to do from time to time, make sure that it is a conscious choice and not something that “just happens”. That way you are in control of your time online, and able to manage, plan, and distribute the time in a manner that makes room for other things as well. I have days, especially weekends where I try to do less. I do not answer email, I create very little content and I try to limit my screen time to make room for hobbies and quality time with the people I love
3. Looking at comments in the right headspace. I have all too often been in a fragile headspace, sad, angry, etc about something completely different, where I have forced myself to work to feel better. And while I do not (knock on wood) get a lot of negative comments like it really happens rarely that something is hateful in my comment sections, every time I am in a bad place I end up reading something negative. And then you are already in a bad place, reading someone who hates you for no reason really gets to you, although in any other situation I would have laughed and blocked. So some time ago, I made an active choice to not reply to comments, to not even read my comments, unless I know I am in a place that is positive, and constructive so I can deal with less pleasant comments. In this process, I have also learned that when you are in a bad headspace it is also easier to read bad intentions into comments that perhaps they were not meant to be mean, but rather constructively critical or curious. So no comments unless I feel fit for fit – so I don’t have to.
4. Sustainable online habits begin offline, with your devices. E-waste has a huge impact, and the continuous production of new electronics, along with planned obsolescence, makes having a phone, a laptop, a television, and any other device that plugs in. A good idea to create slightly more sustainable habits, is starting with buying greener devices. Second-hand electronics are rather easy to find, several independent companies, like Swappe which I have woked with, repair and resell phones with the same warranty as new phones. Also, having your devices repaired rather than throwing them away when they break. My phone is from Swappie, and my laptop is from Greenmind – both second hand. If you want to know more about this issue, check the video above.
only 1% of all smartphones are recycled
5. Unfollow people that make you feel like crap. It took me too long to realize that I have a say in what I see online, at least some of the time. Unfollow people who promote toxic diet culture, unfollow people who don’t believe in climate change, unfollow people who are hateful towards others, who promote overconsumption, fast-fashion or who think that “politics are just not for them”, that is not a vibe, especially not if they have thousands or millions of follower. Instead, follow kind, loving, conscious people who inspire you to do better and who makes you feel good about yourself, or who motivate you in a positive way. That just makes your relationship with social media much healthier