On social media and energy

Written in December 2023

A few weeks ago I received a really clear insight into something I had already been feeling for a long time.

Social media operates like an energetic parasite, meticulously designed to feed on our contributions and emotions, fostering addiction while convincing us of its necessity for our mental health and careers.

These platforms, particularly Instagram, function as self-serving entities, relentlessly pursuing their interests at our expense.

They lure us in with promises of validation and rewards - our work shared widely, causes amplified, and the fleeting dopamine fix from reactions.

However, despite the connections made and occasional benefits, the emotional value extracted rarely matches the emotional investment.

In this complex and often addictive relationship, it's vital to acknowledge that we don't need social media; it needs us.

It thrives on our contributions, designed to keep us engaged and invested. This symbiosis frequently leans towards serving the platforms' interests rather than nurturing our emotional well-being or genuine fulfillment.

Personally, I became drained and exhausted by this cycle. It left me feeling depleted.

I saw clearly how it constantly set me up to seek validation and connection, yet left me feeling more isolated.

The bombardment of information coming from everywhere was creating division and separation, propaganda that fuels fear and hate.

The constant pressure to engage, create content and perform in order to get more followers and more work never felt natural to me at all.

I chose to step away from this dynamic and prioritise my mental and emotional well-being.

I am trusting that work will come through more natural, human ways of connection.

Reclaiming my time, my energy and my presence.