Navigating the Shadows of Social Media: Insights and Reflections
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Understanding the Impact of Social Media
This morning, I woke up feeling unusually fatigued, despite having slept for over seven hours. The lethargy lingered, prompting me to question its source. Was it merely a lack of rest, or something deeper?
As I turned off my alarm, I mindlessly scrolled through Facebook. A daily question posed by a friend caught my attention: share a piece of wisdom from your mother that still resonates today. I recalled the phrase, "You made your bed, now lie in it." My mother often said this when she was frustrated with me or my siblings—she had eight children in total. Having lost my father to a stroke at a young age, she bore a heavy burden. Though she has been gone for nearly two decades, her voice continues to echo in my mind, particularly as I reflect on the challenges I've faced in life, many stemming from my own poor choices.
As I lay in bed, I felt a paralyzing inability to make decisions, compounded by frustration with my family and doubt about my relationships. The weight of uncertainty pressed down on me, urging me to retreat back to sleep for a while. In that moment, I was enveloped in negativity and self-doubt.
The financial strain of retirement loomed large, as my income had drastically reduced. Writing on Medium, which I had begun in 2017, had not yielded the financial success I had hoped for, leading me to question my abilities as a writer. (I’m aware of my shortcomings, so please refrain from reminding me!)
Having relocated from Georgia to Florida to support my daughter during her job loss, I depleted much of my retirement savings. My twin sons, who have lived with me since their father tragically took his own life seventeen years ago, help with expenses but also face their own struggles. Recently, I had to make the difficult decision to euthanize our dog due to severe allergies, adding to my burden of doubt.
My romantic life feels unfulfilling, leaving me feeling lonely and despondent when my partner is unavailable, although I understand he works long hours. He often expects me to make decisions, but I find myself unable to do so.
A moment of clarity came while I was practicing EFT-Tapping, revealing that the Facebook question had triggered buried emotions. My mother had endured significant trauma, including an abusive relationship, which she inadvertently passed down to me. Thankfully, I managed to escape that cycle.
The recent revelation about my brother's abusive behavior towards his daughter was disturbing and underscored the importance of vigilance in our surroundings, particularly regarding the influence of social media. Its effects may be subtle, but they can have profound implications.
The first video, "Is Social Media Hurting Your Mental Health? | Bailey Parnell | TEDxRyersonU," explores how social media shapes our mental well-being, shedding light on the often-overlooked consequences.
Finding Clarity Through Reflection
Now that I’ve gained a better understanding of my feelings, I wanted to share my journey in hopes of resonating with others who may feel similarly. Perhaps this is a new revelation for me, but it's never too late to learn.
The second video, "Social media drains our brains and impacts our decision making," discusses how social media influences our cognitive processes and decision-making abilities, further illustrating the points raised in my reflections.
Conclusion
I feel a sense of relief after processing my thoughts, and I hope my experiences provide insight for those grappling with similar feelings.
Jo Ann Harris is an author, parent, and passionate learner who has spent her life in Atlanta, Georgia. She writes about love, hope, and personal experiences, and her work has been published in Woman’s World magazine in October 2017.