Social Media - Don't Let It Take Over!

When you spend all day at work interacting, posting, and creating content Social Media, it can be easy to let it take over your life! Many people fall victim to spending too much time on social media, even when they don’t spend all day working on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. The reality of our digital world is that spending too much time online can lead a lot of negatives, such as having a skewed perception of what happiness and success look like.

Founder and Chief Executive Schmoozer Zoe Share sees social media as something that can be fun and educational for consumers, however, for Zoe, “checking Instagram or Facebook for fun doesn’t always feel possible because I end up thinking about clients and work. It’s really important that I find a way to disconnect.”  

That’s why to start off 2018 on the right foot, we talked to the Schmooz team about the ways they take a step back from Social Media to ensure they are taking care of their social and emotional health!

For some Schmoozers, it’s about mindset and setting boundaries:

“I take time to unplug. There are times I get caught up in the social media culture of oversharing, which only leads me to compare my life to the curated feeds of my contemporaries. Being sparse with what I personally share on social media means that I'm living my life IRL!” - Laura Maize

“Sometimes, I just have to take a break from social media - too many opinions and negative views often start making me feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Instead, I'll take the time I usually spend on social media and work on other things, like passion projects or reading a few uplifting blogs or favourite books. Although, I do have a "Favorite Things" board on Pinterest that I'll go through as a little pick-me-up when I'm feeling down. I try to only share content that makes me laugh or feel inspired - I don't want to invite arguments or political debates on my social media accounts.” - Amanda Sordelet

“I recently deleted the Facebook app from my phone, and I’m trying to not have it open in a tab all day while working (a habit I got into when I worked in social media). I also don’t hesitate to unfollow or unfriend people who regularly post stuff I’d rather not have in my feed.” - Noah Taylor

“My goal is to limit the times I'm using social media. When I start my day, I don't open social media on my devices until I'm starting work, and I try to step away from social media throughout the day, during meals, and when I'm spending time with family or friends. It's not always easy, but it helps make sure social media isn't ever-present in my life.” - Andrew Powell

For others, it’s about getting physically away from social media:

“I take breaks where I am not around any of my devices. Bike rides, taking a walk, or even just keeping all of my devices in another room while I make dinner or have a bath. Sometimes I can find myself thoughtlessly reaching for my phone out of a reflex, or I can get fatigued from looking at a screen all day. I think it's important to take breaks to focus on the world around you and trying to be as present as possible.” - Susan Stover

“I read hardcover books, work on DIY projects around the house and spend time playing catch with my dog. I also keep my personal life pretty private on social media so that I can focus my personal time being offline and in person with friends and family.” - Zoe Share

“I don’t find myself getting overwhelmed only because I check here and there so it doesn’t pile up. If you’re not able to find the time, don’t hesitate to have “off hours”. Sometimes it’s as simple as flipping your phone face-down on the table. Those messages and notifications will still be there when you get back.” - Julien Balbontin

Since social media is what we do to make a living at Schmooz Media, we understand that what you see on social isn’t always the truth. Having this knowledge in a world that is so saturated with curated content helps give all of us at Schmooz a healthy perspective.

Need help managing your own social media? If you're feeling overwhelmed, we're here to support!

At Schmooz Media, we understand that customers are your best brand ambassadors. That’s why we’re excited to create custom social media marketing strategies for small businesses, and take advantage of what their customers are already saying on social media.

Schmooz Media is a Full Service Social Media Marketing Business, helping small-mid size businesses get the most social ROI possible. We’re passionate about giving your business actionable, measurable and meaningful results. Learn more about what Schmooz can do for you, or contact us with your inquiries today.