I've personally experienced the impact of social media on my psyche. And, getting to witness and share social media with over a million people has offered a lens that I can't pretend I don't see. Social media comes for ALL of you. Left to its own devices and algorithms it will not leave any of you untouched and un-mined for data and dollars.
I took Social Media off my phone at the start of 2023. I haven't looked at ANY platforms since then. I have been more present, less anxious, more focused, less distracted, more at peace with myself; mind, body and spirit! I have completed a course that I started in 2021, had more actual conversations with friends and family. I'm staying off Social Media for as long as possible! My mind is thanking me!
Thank you for sharing this Mark, what’s coming up for me is a complete separation from it to recalibrate, heal what it’s triggered, to then come back with intentionality. I guess that’s the question, I remember getting an Instagram in 2011 to begin expressing my creativity through photos and to have witnessed the shift and how it affected me, I’ve yet to come back to it. But... intention... what’s our person intention behind that space that’s what’s I’m feeling into.
Agreed on every level. All the top neuroscientists have informative podcasts explaining the dangers of too much screen time on our mental health. With AI rapidly growing by 500% we will see the next generation change as a species? There's lots of benefits to AI, sure, I get it. The question is, how much of our humanism do we want to give away? With the continuous disconnect of the real human experience, will we forget what it's like to have empathy, compassion, and sympathy? How much of our daily lives, jobs, do we give away to automation? Do industries really need increased efficiency and productivity? I choose the land!
This was on my plate for quite a few years. Unable to leave because of the great connections made. As you say. A tool is good or bad on how we use it. True. Still. Do we want to create our own space? Or do we only share locally? Is it our ego who wants to reach worldwide? Or is it our heart? I have started to help friends in my vinicity and it is true it is a true change but I still yearn for those who speak to my heart. A funny balance to find just like the one we need to find between earth and sky. Haha. Thanks Mark. I enjoy reading your insights. Always. Even more here than on IG
Timely post, so true people really need to understand this and then because we still do have free will can make the decision to limit our involvement with the socials. Unless you are doing business on them or catching up with friends and family they are a total time waste distraction machine.
I feel it numbs us, reduces connection with others and self. There’s some positive connection for me, but it doesn’t replace real connection. I eventually found myself 2-4 hours a night just scrolling anxiety increasing and less sleep. What could we all do with .5-4 hours more a day? A lot, meditation, journaling, exercise, a hobby, connect with meaningful friends, family, and partner. I try to just follow a few people that have spiritual and great life advice and find a few fun videos to share with family. It needs limits or it distracts from time we need to go inward and connect outward. I’ve considered cutting it all together.
Such an interesting and important conversation that requires a certain amount of acceptance of reality. I think we all begin with the impulse to just give it up which for some may well be the best route. I gave up social media for almost 3 years and although I won't say I missed much I think I did miss the bigger opportunity for my personal growth. I also believe, as a parent, I have a responsibility to understand the social media and digital landscape as, like it or not, our kids worlds are ever present with it and will continue to be. So, to me, the most impactful and powerful move we can make is to learn for ourselves how to use these tools and to curate our experience and to have the self awareness and maturity to build resilience against it's affects on our psyche, so we can also show our children that we are the source of our own self worth.
This is not easy but I find that true growth and personal power comes from awareness and not avoidance.
Fb was cool in the beginnings, finding high school pals, playing catch up. I bailed when it turned into everyone's bitchy journal, and treat it like they were celebrities, it got weird.. "you didn't see it in fb?!?!". No mfr, I was on the outside the house :)
During covid, with all the divide (enforced?,), I went back to work, I work outside all over the place. Ppl were so kind and happy to see other ppl. I was confused, like I thought we were all fighting. At least that's what the algorithms said? Lol
I've personally never had home internet. I definitely have been scrutinized and left out from bingeing the latest and greatest, wtf ever (I cant keep up). With my limited data plan, I definitely have to really wanna watch something lol.
I am currently finishing your Rediscover Your Wholeness course. I am content to spend my data, attention span, and brain power on that. The interwebs is an amazing tool in that regard, and so is your course!!!! Hats off to you man.
This is so true! Thank you Mark for the reminder to check in on myself and my behavior with social. You get lost in it so fast. I try to be more self-disciplined on how I choose to use it. In the end, we still hold the power and inner authority to choose. At the same time so many of us run our business through it as well so I try to find a balance and look into alternatives away from Social Media. A book related to that topic is "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari. If I remember correctly he was involved when Facebook / Insta started growing and he shares some insights how they intentionally come for our attention and also push the content that triggers more fear as it keeps you on there more than the good and fun stuff. Interesting read related to this topic.
I don’t spend too much time on it though . Insta is for work only for me & for educational reasons . Facebook I use to share the beautiful things I do & to motivate people . The worse thing is the tracking of everything I look at & how all these Ads pop up .Total nightmare how we get spied on what we are doing ! That’s why I don’t spend too much time on it. I feel kinda sorry for all those bloggers & kids that spend all day on their phone when life is right in front of them & missing out !
It’s tragic how much time all the young kids spend on their phone ! They are mostly texting and can hardly hold a conversation in person . It’s very sad how they miss out on life .
Agree! But it’s more than data collection-It’s all about data correlation. Once the machine master this…then you will feel the real the impact on lifestyle!
Who is the speaker? Can you provide the link? Thanks for sharing!
I deleted Facebook two years ago. Best decision I made. I used to love Instagram but lately I've also become sucked into the Vortex of it all. And the thing is if you're not protecting your energy - especially as a Healer or Motivator the dark forces are going come for you and knock you six love. I have never experienced so much hate on Social platforms as there is now. But then again that is what the virus was all about. The Dark and the Light and right now I feel as if the Dark Forces are incredibly powerful. The only way around it is too keep raising your vibration if you one wants to stay on the platforms. Or downscale and go private. Thank you for sharing Mark.
regarding the loss of Humanity via social media dominance i agree. As a wellness teacher in the field for 20 plus years, as an elder who has raised 3 sons in the digital age I see the impact of the last 10 years in particular of how dominating the addiction to social media for connection has become . Yes we need to use the tool it can be but without a solid foundation of our own Self rooted with our body and with earth we have little capacity to even discern what is serving us or enslaving us. You are not alone in sounding the alarm and sound the alarm we should. Without people taking a solid media and device fast or detox they will have no idea how much it has crowded out their true possibility for living what is their life to live. My youngest who is 23 and an engineer in tech got off social media when he started his job out of college as one he did not want to be a part of Zuckerbergs meta insanity and two it steals valuable time if you let it. We all need to learn more conscious tools of how to engage with tech as its not going away , the question is will we as a collective go away? Have you interviewed James Clear? Atomic Habits? Im curious what he might say about the masses being habitually glued to social media . I am working on building clear boundaries on how I use it.
Just think about the generation that has had social media (and electronics) their entire lives. I have said for quite some time that it makes me really sad for my children that they are always tuned in to media of any kind.
I took Social Media off my phone at the start of 2023. I haven't looked at ANY platforms since then. I have been more present, less anxious, more focused, less distracted, more at peace with myself; mind, body and spirit! I have completed a course that I started in 2021, had more actual conversations with friends and family. I'm staying off Social Media for as long as possible! My mind is thanking me!
Thank you for sharing this Mark, what’s coming up for me is a complete separation from it to recalibrate, heal what it’s triggered, to then come back with intentionality. I guess that’s the question, I remember getting an Instagram in 2011 to begin expressing my creativity through photos and to have witnessed the shift and how it affected me, I’ve yet to come back to it. But... intention... what’s our person intention behind that space that’s what’s I’m feeling into.
Agreed on every level. All the top neuroscientists have informative podcasts explaining the dangers of too much screen time on our mental health. With AI rapidly growing by 500% we will see the next generation change as a species? There's lots of benefits to AI, sure, I get it. The question is, how much of our humanism do we want to give away? With the continuous disconnect of the real human experience, will we forget what it's like to have empathy, compassion, and sympathy? How much of our daily lives, jobs, do we give away to automation? Do industries really need increased efficiency and productivity? I choose the land!
Man did this come at the right time. The pressure to create and engage is intense.
This was on my plate for quite a few years. Unable to leave because of the great connections made. As you say. A tool is good or bad on how we use it. True. Still. Do we want to create our own space? Or do we only share locally? Is it our ego who wants to reach worldwide? Or is it our heart? I have started to help friends in my vinicity and it is true it is a true change but I still yearn for those who speak to my heart. A funny balance to find just like the one we need to find between earth and sky. Haha. Thanks Mark. I enjoy reading your insights. Always. Even more here than on IG
Timely post, so true people really need to understand this and then because we still do have free will can make the decision to limit our involvement with the socials. Unless you are doing business on them or catching up with friends and family they are a total time waste distraction machine.
I feel it numbs us, reduces connection with others and self. There’s some positive connection for me, but it doesn’t replace real connection. I eventually found myself 2-4 hours a night just scrolling anxiety increasing and less sleep. What could we all do with .5-4 hours more a day? A lot, meditation, journaling, exercise, a hobby, connect with meaningful friends, family, and partner. I try to just follow a few people that have spiritual and great life advice and find a few fun videos to share with family. It needs limits or it distracts from time we need to go inward and connect outward. I’ve considered cutting it all together.
Such an interesting and important conversation that requires a certain amount of acceptance of reality. I think we all begin with the impulse to just give it up which for some may well be the best route. I gave up social media for almost 3 years and although I won't say I missed much I think I did miss the bigger opportunity for my personal growth. I also believe, as a parent, I have a responsibility to understand the social media and digital landscape as, like it or not, our kids worlds are ever present with it and will continue to be. So, to me, the most impactful and powerful move we can make is to learn for ourselves how to use these tools and to curate our experience and to have the self awareness and maturity to build resilience against it's affects on our psyche, so we can also show our children that we are the source of our own self worth.
This is not easy but I find that true growth and personal power comes from awareness and not avoidance.
Thanks for this space for conversation, Mark!
Hey all,
Fb was cool in the beginnings, finding high school pals, playing catch up. I bailed when it turned into everyone's bitchy journal, and treat it like they were celebrities, it got weird.. "you didn't see it in fb?!?!". No mfr, I was on the outside the house :)
During covid, with all the divide (enforced?,), I went back to work, I work outside all over the place. Ppl were so kind and happy to see other ppl. I was confused, like I thought we were all fighting. At least that's what the algorithms said? Lol
I've personally never had home internet. I definitely have been scrutinized and left out from bingeing the latest and greatest, wtf ever (I cant keep up). With my limited data plan, I definitely have to really wanna watch something lol.
I am currently finishing your Rediscover Your Wholeness course. I am content to spend my data, attention span, and brain power on that. The interwebs is an amazing tool in that regard, and so is your course!!!! Hats off to you man.
This is so true! Thank you Mark for the reminder to check in on myself and my behavior with social. You get lost in it so fast. I try to be more self-disciplined on how I choose to use it. In the end, we still hold the power and inner authority to choose. At the same time so many of us run our business through it as well so I try to find a balance and look into alternatives away from Social Media. A book related to that topic is "Stolen Focus" by Johann Hari. If I remember correctly he was involved when Facebook / Insta started growing and he shares some insights how they intentionally come for our attention and also push the content that triggers more fear as it keeps you on there more than the good and fun stuff. Interesting read related to this topic.
I totally agree ! Thank you for sharing Mark
First thing in the morning …
Check FB & Insta account when I wake up …
Then move on with my day .
I don’t spend too much time on it though . Insta is for work only for me & for educational reasons . Facebook I use to share the beautiful things I do & to motivate people . The worse thing is the tracking of everything I look at & how all these Ads pop up .Total nightmare how we get spied on what we are doing ! That’s why I don’t spend too much time on it. I feel kinda sorry for all those bloggers & kids that spend all day on their phone when life is right in front of them & missing out !
It’s tragic how much time all the young kids spend on their phone ! They are mostly texting and can hardly hold a conversation in person . It’s very sad how they miss out on life .
Agree! But it’s more than data collection-It’s all about data correlation. Once the machine master this…then you will feel the real the impact on lifestyle!
Who is the speaker? Can you provide the link? Thanks for sharing!
I deleted Facebook two years ago. Best decision I made. I used to love Instagram but lately I've also become sucked into the Vortex of it all. And the thing is if you're not protecting your energy - especially as a Healer or Motivator the dark forces are going come for you and knock you six love. I have never experienced so much hate on Social platforms as there is now. But then again that is what the virus was all about. The Dark and the Light and right now I feel as if the Dark Forces are incredibly powerful. The only way around it is too keep raising your vibration if you one wants to stay on the platforms. Or downscale and go private. Thank you for sharing Mark.
regarding the loss of Humanity via social media dominance i agree. As a wellness teacher in the field for 20 plus years, as an elder who has raised 3 sons in the digital age I see the impact of the last 10 years in particular of how dominating the addiction to social media for connection has become . Yes we need to use the tool it can be but without a solid foundation of our own Self rooted with our body and with earth we have little capacity to even discern what is serving us or enslaving us. You are not alone in sounding the alarm and sound the alarm we should. Without people taking a solid media and device fast or detox they will have no idea how much it has crowded out their true possibility for living what is their life to live. My youngest who is 23 and an engineer in tech got off social media when he started his job out of college as one he did not want to be a part of Zuckerbergs meta insanity and two it steals valuable time if you let it. We all need to learn more conscious tools of how to engage with tech as its not going away , the question is will we as a collective go away? Have you interviewed James Clear? Atomic Habits? Im curious what he might say about the masses being habitually glued to social media . I am working on building clear boundaries on how I use it.
Decolonization is an embodied practice.
Thanks for sharing this… thankful for the critical thinking it’s sparked.
Just think about the generation that has had social media (and electronics) their entire lives. I have said for quite some time that it makes me really sad for my children that they are always tuned in to media of any kind.