Is social media bad for you?

Hello from a dark and cosy December day! Do you remember that I've talked about spending less time on social media and more time in real life? Yes. The book that inspired me is called "Digital Minimalism" by Cal Newport. Newport talks a lot about the negative effects social media has on our brains. He describes our phones as slot machines, you just keep scrolling and refreshing the pages to see what you get.

Here's the scenario. You post some pictures or videos to see if your content gets any likes. Instead of looking up from your screen, you are constantly looking down. It's very addictive, like a new kind of smoking. According to science studies, mental illnesses are increasing because of this, and social media is designed so we can continue clicking and staying as long as possible, because that's how they earn their money. Perhaps some people believe that social media and apps are a fun gift from the tech nerds, but that's not the case. We are in fact the product here. Ever heard of this quote?

"There is no such thing as a free lunch".

I will most definitely read this book again, because it made me think about my own habits and my own relationship with my iPhone. It made me confront my behaviour of logging in to instagram whenever I am bored. It made me realize that I don't need to spend so many hours a day on social media. Because it can never replace social activites like talking with a person in real life. Social media is not in fact social but you get a sence of connection. There is a different between social interaction and feeling connected.

Will talk more about this and will also share some practial tips on how I reduced my social media time.

(*＾▽＾)／

Audiobooks' superpower

Recently, I’ve picked up a lot of audiobooks and I’ve been listening to them in my free time. It’s the best feeling when I have a book that I love and can’t stop listening to. You’ve ever had that feeling of not wanting to stop because it’s so interesting to read? I get so many new insights on topics. At the same time, I get to challenge myself to look at new perspectives and be prepared to change my thoughts. Other times, I am more sure than ever on my values and beliefs because of science studies. I feel like I grow a lot because of audiobooks! I really love to learn new things!

It’s important for me to set aside time to reflect on things. I always do this at the end of the year or when I’m on vacation in summer. I reflect on my days and what I want to do more of and what I want to do less of. I sometimes write a weekly schedule and try to follow it. Sometimes it works, sometimes it don’t work. I experiment, move around activities in the week, I try again. I listen to my body and mind. Do I feel relaxed? Does my body like it? Most importantly - Am I having fun? If I’m constantly stressed and feel tired and grumpy, then what’s the point?

It’s so easy to just go along with activities and not take the time to evaluate them. Right now, for example, I really think about all the good benefits of spending less time on social media and more time outside. To summarize it all, in order to do more high value activities, I need to spend less time on low value activities.

Will tell more about the high and low value activities some other time! ~ヾ(＾∇＾)

what i learned at a japanese spa

the importance of creating time and space to relax your mind.

this is is something to truly prioritize in an everyday life that is filled with activities, errands and different types of goals. to just lie down on your back and close your eyes have done wonders for my mind and health. when i visited a japanese spa, i got to learn a valuable lesson. the lesson that I haven’t taken that much time to stay relaxed.

when i slowly walked in the japanese garden i practiced the art of being in the moment and i sat on a sun heated wooden deck in the warm sunlight and i just closed my eyes and listened to the nature around me. the birds chirping, the gentle breeze in the tree crowns, the water pouring down the rocks. i was somehow at the center of my universe.

i remembered thinking it was too long time ago i was this calm. when i left the spa, i promised myself to implement this calming practice when I returned to the hectic city life. I felt that i just needed this, that my mind needed this to function better.

these days, i try to meditate everyday but there are of course days i miss this habit, but that’s okay because i don’t strive for perfection. when i’m not meditating i try to stretch, drink tea and water, take a nap, take a short paus and just breathe in and out. even if it’s short moments, i just keep reminding myself to relax and many moments grow to something greater.

i can see many great effects of doing this. sometimes, when my mind is calm i can see more clearly when it comes to situations or people. sometimes, ideas appear when i’m more relaxed and i feel a lot more open to trying new things. i come up with more ideas these days, something i didn’t get that much earlier. it just pops up in my head.

how about you? what makes you calm? what do you like to do when you feel like you need a break? when was the last time you sat down and relaxed?

take care and stay calm

⊂(･ω･*⊂)