Brain rot. How Are You Navigating Social Media?

Brain rot.

That’s Oxford’s word of the year for 2024.

I would argue that it’s two words; but I digress. 

I would also love to say I'm kidding but, unfortunately, I'm not.

It’s defined as “the supposed deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, especially viewed as the result of overconsumption of material (now particularly online content) considered to be trivial or unchallenging. " We've all heard or seen the research and we (on some level) are aware of what the impact is, but how many of us are actively taking steps to manage our digital and technology boundaries? 

Personally, I have a love/hate relationship with social media. When I started on the path of better self-awareness, I realised how much certain posts / people online could impact my entire mood and mindset. I found myself getting irritated or anxious over things that had nothing to do with me. I felt bad unfollowing / muting / unfriending because it felt like I was being unsupportive of the person posting or like I was missing out on events happening in the world. Then I had a long hard look at why I felt that way and made some different choices.

I now have rules for what I choose to consume and post online. If it doesn't meet (at least) one of these criteria, I don't write it and I definitely don't read or watch it:

1. It has to be genuine and authentic.

2. It has to educate me somehow or make me think about something differently.

3. It has to spark a positive emotion - joy, gratitude, hope.

It goes without say that if anything creates anxiety, makes me question my worth or my path, or is negatively impacting my mental health in any way, it gets removed. 

Sidenote on this: It doesn't mean ignoring what's causing the anxiety because the root cause does still need to be addressed. It means acknowledging it and choosing how to deal with it in my time and in my way, rather than having social media hit me with it at unsuspecting times.

I think each of us is responsible for defining what our relationship with social media looks like based on what works for us. I've been quiet on LinkedIn over the past few weeks because I've been traveling. I have, however, been super active on Facebook because I rediscovered my love for writing about my travels. It helps me capture core memories, it reminds me of the joy and experiences on the trip, and it brings friends and family along for the ride.

The moral of the story is an invitation to notice the impact various posts / people have on you, your mood and your mindset (and to notice your own mood and mindset in what you post). Your mental health is more important than the FOMO or the need to make someone else feel good by clicking a like button.

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