Do you spend hours scrolling Twitter, looking at posts of your friends and followers, only to feel like you are NGMI? Maybe you saw someone post about a sale, a bidding war, or a new accomplishment, and you couldn't help but feel a bit jealous or insecure.
Social media can be a real buzzkill for our self-confidence and happiness. I know it as I've been there many times, despite all my accomplishments. When we spend too much time scrolling and comparing ourselves to others, we can feel like we're not measuring up. We might even start to doubt our own talent and abilities.
But here's the thing: social media is not real life! People usually only post the highlights of their lives, not the struggles and setbacks that are a natural part of everyone's journey. So, it's important not to take everything you see on social media too seriously.
Social media can also fuel feelings of imposter syndrome: when individuals feel like they are not good enough or qualified enough to do the work they are doing. This is often caused by comparing oneself to others who appear to have more experience, success, or talent.
Instead of comparing yourself to others, try to focus on your own goals and accomplishments. Celebrate your own successes, no matter how small they might seem. And remember, social media is just one small part of your life - don't let it define your worth or happiness.
Most of my network is filled by artists so I thought we should focus on this for a moment. Here are some ways that burnout from social media can impact artists:
· Comparisonitis: Constantly scrolling through other artists' profiles and seeing their success can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt. This can lead to a loss of confidence in your own work and result in burnout.
· Pressure to create content: Social media often demands a steady stream of content to keep up engagement with followers. This pressure to constantly create new and engaging content can be overwhelming for artists, especially if it takes time away from creating their core work.
· Overexposure to feedback: While feedback can be helpful for artists, too much feedback or negative feedback can lead to burnout and a lack of motivation to continue creating.
· Unrealistic expectations: Social media can create unrealistic expectations about the art world and the success that artists can achieve. This can lead to feelings of disappointment or burnout when reality does not meet these expectations.
To prevent burnout from social media, you can take steps to manage the use of social media platforms. Here are some suggestions:
1. Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time. This might mean setting specific work hours, turning off notifications after a certain time, or setting aside a designated time for self-care and relaxation.
2. Take breaks and recharge: As an artist, it can be tempting to push yourself to work all the time, but taking breaks is crucial to preventing burnout. Take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. This could be as simple as taking a short walk or practicing a few minutes of mindfulness or meditation.
3. Take care of your physical and mental health: As an artist, your creativity and productivity are often closely tied to your physical and mental health. Make sure to prioritize self-care activities that nourish your body and mind, such as getting enough sleep, eating healthy, exercising, and engaging in activities that bring you joy.
4. Practice stress-reducing techniques: Try incorporating stress-reducing techniques into your routine, such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, or journaling.
5. Seek support: Don't be afraid to reach out for support from friends, family, or a mental health professional if you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
So, the next time you find yourself feeling down after scrolling through Twitter, take a break and do something fun and positive for yourself. Get together with a friend IRL, treat yourself with a massage, or simply take a walk outside. Remember, life is more than just likes and followers!
Much Love!
Colorful Regards,
Fer Caggiano
