CHERIE: Hi, Singlestalk. I used to enjoy Instagram and Twitter. Even Facebook. But lately, I’m genuinely peeved by things I find online. Why would couples constantly exchange sweet nothings using the comment section? Don’t they know what Messenger is for? Or why do people like their own selfies or tag 27 friends to a post about their kids’ scholastic achievements. Like who cares? And wow, I am now an unwilling spectator to all these unspectacular acts of so-called kindness since typhoon Odette made its landfall. These showoffs should be thankful zombies eat brains. They’re safe.
DJ: Uhm, I actually leverage social media during disasters to raise awareness and channel those who want to help but do not know how or where. No worries. I’m still thankful a zombie walked right past me when it was looking for brains. Awkward but you’re right. At least I’m safe. Through time I learned that how people decide to behave is their choice. Controlling elements of someone’s life can only lead to frustration. The reality is people change when change is their choice. And the way out of this trap is to make a conscious intentional effort to shift our focus. So what if they are giving “ayuda?” Or on the flipside, so what if they are not? Their life, their choice is as much as your life, your choice. While we can influence people and circumstances, we can’t force things our way. Fighting with everyone we disagree with on social media can only make us stew in anger. Not an effective way of using our energy. Besides, life these days might be too much of a roller coaster for some people. And if they want to throw up, a charitable response is to simply control our reaction. Or better yet, just cut them some slack and let them just be.
Most of us go through a phase when we become a very good judge of others’ mistakes and a very good lawyer for our own. As I age, though, I discovered certain truths about people which taught me a lesson or two. Besides, there’s already a lot of physical illness around with the aftermath of the super-typhoon and the rising alert level due to the Omicron variant. Don’t you think it’s best not to poison the mind and the heart any longer?
Chill. Ignore. Unfollow. Just because we don’t like doing something doesn’t mean the other person should not do it, too. Unless if it’s smuggling, murder, red tape or anything that’s against the law. But if it’s simply someone’s Tiktok or photo with a truckload full of rice, water and canned goods, live and let live. It’s not surprising if every once in a while we find our nose in someone’s business given the reach of social media. But every time I catch myself judging a situation without knowing the full story, I just remind myself that unless my name is Google, I should stop acting like I know everything.
Recently, I’ve heard of friends going through social media detox, a conscious elimination of use or consumption for a period of time. No posting. No liking. No sharing. Just living. This can go for a month. But some people do seven days or even a year-long detox. It’s up to you. Too much social media time can leave people feeling anxious, dissatisfied, even depressed.
How can one’s full life measure up to someone’s Photoshopped snapshot? There’s nothing inherently wrong with social media if we use it with purpose and intention. That’s just my opinion. But if some people have become such treasures that you just want to bury them, taking a break from it all is not a bad idea at all. Disconnect to connect. If you’re not ready for the big step away, I suggest that you try little steps. See how you like it at first, if you’re enjoying more time away from it. Then you decide whether to take decisive strides or not from there.
Friends know that I can be sarcastic. That’s why I pray I should not be led to such temptation. I know the way. But keeping things in perspective does help. It’s a much tougher world we have lived in for the past two years. We don’t know the zombies people are fighting within. To be kind might not be the most intelligent thing to do. But it’s always a wise move. You’re right. It keeps us safe.