Social media give you a large platform to say what you need to say
When you have a large following of people who are listening to your words, it is essential to make sure that you use your platform wisely. Regardless of whether you’re a person or brand, having a following on social media means that you have a place to express your deepest feelings. If you have a personal account or if you’re someone who has a business or brand surrounding who you are as a person, social media is a place for friends and followers to get to know you. No matter what your passions are or what causes you believe in, you have a place to express your feelings about them online. You can also empower people to take action and change things for the better.
Creating change on social media
As a prominent voice on social media, it’s essential to remember that you can inspire others but that you need to be yourself. Let’s say that you’re passionate about human rights. You can talk about what you believe humans are entitled to and how we can change the world and help people obtain the things they deserve. Express yourself genuinely, and you’ll draw the right followers to you. Another thing to be aware of is that, while you don’t need to be positive all the time, it’s essential to be wary of engaging in arguments and making sure that they’re productive when you do engage in them.
Fighting smart
When you’re online, you’ll always meet people that don’t agree with what your points are, but that’s okay. It’s essential to be able to take healthy criticism and learn from it. Sometimes, people bring up points counter to yours that can inspire a healthy debate, but if you’re engaging in an argument, make sure that it’s productive. If someone is going below the belt and saying offensive things about your character or appearance, you don’t have to engage and know that if that’s the case, the argument isn’t a healthy or constructive one. Respectful debates, on the other hand, can be helpful. It’s essential to be able to see it when someone’s trying to teach you something in a civil manner.
Learning on social media
When you have a place where you’re speaking about your passions or beliefs online, you have an opportunity to learn from others. It’s not just about you speaking your truth or expressing yourself; it’s also about listening to your followers and what they have to say. They might send you studies or articles that are relevant to your interests. You can check out the resources they’re sending you, and learn something. For example, let’s say you’re interested in helping the homeless, and one of your followers has experienced homelessness. They might share their experiences and bring things to light that you haven’t considered. Sometimes, you might receive an influx of comments with resources, or you might get called out on something in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable. You don’t have to engage with all of these resources, but you can learn a lot from them if you open your mind. Use your best judgment to determine when and how it’s healthy for you to engage with what people are saying, and remember that this isn’t just about you speaking to others. Your following is a community, and it’s essential to treat it like one.
Social media and mental health
Social media is a place that can positively impact your mental health, but if you spend too much time on it, your mental health might suffer. You might notice that you’re comparing yourself to others or that you’re hyper-focused on the way that other people perceive you. That’s why it’s important to take social media breaks. These are all issues that you can discuss in therapy. When you find a therapist, whether they work online or in your local area, you can talk about some ways that social media impacts you. First, a therapist will likely ask about your relationship with social media and what you’re doing on social media; perhaps, it’s your job, or maybe it’s just a hobby. Then, you’ll explore how it’s impacting your life, whether that’s for the better or for worse. Therapy can be a great place to discuss your social media and how to make it a positive place for you. Finding your voice on social media and using it in a way that’s healthy for you as well as helpful to others takes time, so be patient and give yourself a chance to explore it.
