Yes, I said crackpipe. <\/p>\n
Why? Because when a crackhead takes one suck from the pipe, it takes two back. The addict gets something from it, but they lose way more than they gain.<\/p>\n
For me, social media is that crackpipe, and I am that crackhead.<\/p>\n
Social media promised us so much. We could share ideas, thoughts, and information and stay connected to the people that matter. But as the Social Media monster grew, it became something far darker.<\/p>\n
Here are 10 (science-backed) reasons I\u2019m ditching the digital crack for good.<\/p>\n
#1 \u2013 You\u2019re Addicted & It\u2019s Killing You<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nAddiction is when you can\u2019t control your use, and you continue using despite the harm it causes. <\/p>\n
By that definition, we\u2019re all addicted to social media, and it\u2019s a real problem.<\/p>\n
You might think I\u2019m being dramatic and say, \u201cSurely the government would tell us if it was a problem, Skye?\u201d<\/p>\n
Well, those same governments once told us:<\/p>\n
Smoking is good for you\u2026<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/freethewageslave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ads-smoking.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nYou should wrap babies in cellophane\u2026<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/freethewageslave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/ads-cellophane.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAnd to give babies 7-up\u2026<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/freethewageslave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/7_up-babies.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHere\u2019s the shocking truth:<\/p>\n
While these studies focus on young people (as they\u2019re the heaviest users), it\u2019s important to remember these young people are the adults of the future.<\/p>\n
The indicators of what\u2019s coming are clear to see.<\/p>\n
#2 \u2013 Likes = Self Worth?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nThe people we look up to influence what we feel is important.<\/p>\n
In the past, we looked up to men and women doing great things. Today, we give our attention to whoever is the most outrageous.<\/p>\n
Martin Luther King has been replaced by Mark from Love Island.<\/p>\n
Social Media Influencers have become the stars of today, and likes are the currency.<\/p>\n
And so we equate our value to how many likes we get.<\/strong><\/p>\nOur drive for external validation and approval is so deep, we perform our own brand of superficial and attention-seeking behaviours in the hope of \u201cgoing viral.\u201d<\/p>\n
We try to fit in with what\u2019s popular, even if it\u2019s not who we are.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re jumping through hoops to get the bone.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/freethewageslave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/tenor.gif\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLooking Outside yourself for direction is normal; we came from tribes, after all. But basing your identity on what people on the internet think is crazy.<\/p>\n
You try to live up to the lifestyle of the influencers and find it only brings anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n
Your idea of their \u201cperfect life\u201d isn\u2019t even real.<\/p>\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/freethewageslave.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/fakeinstajet.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nForget what the world tells you to be, do the things that move you. <\/p>\n
The secret to everything is being yourself.<\/p>\n\n\nTension is who you think you should be; relaxation is who you are.<\/em><\/p>\nAncient Chinese proverb<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n#3 \u2013 Your Return On Investment is Negative<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nWhat do you get out of social media?<\/p>\n
\n- A couple of good memes<\/li>\n
- DM\u2019s from your friends and family<\/li>\n
- Stay on top of the news<\/li>\n
- Find places you\u2019d like to travel to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now consider this: What does it take back from you?<\/p>\n
You already know you could do so much with your hours of mindless scrolling, so why do you do it?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s because of FOMO (fear of missing out).<\/p>\n
You\u2019re constantly in a state of worry about missing that picture or event that everyone else is talking about.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the kicker, though\u2026<\/p>\n
You\u2019re missing out on your life.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou could be doing something creative and fulfilling, building a life beyond what you ever thought possible.<\/p>\n
If you want to do something with your life, why spend 2-6 hours a day on something proven to make it worse?<\/p>\n
#4 \u2013 With So Much Noise, How Can You Hear Yourself?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nWant to know why you always feel so rushed, even on your days off?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what the average person\u2019s day looks like:<\/p>\n
You are being overwhelmed by messages, requests, and information. Many are telling you who you are and what you should be.<\/p>\n
With so much noise, how can you hear yourself? Where\u2019s your dialogue with yourself?<\/p>\n
Your intuition needs space to communicate with you.<\/p>\n
Social media opens the door to opinions on a scale we\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n
Everyone has a voice.<\/p>\n
While that\u2019s good, the downside is that many use that voice to parrot \u201cofficial narratives\u201d or whatever conspiracy feels right to them instead of thinking for themselves.<\/p>\n
In our overwhelming digital world, we often go with the majority, adopting the opinions of others to save time.<\/strong><\/p>\nThis \u201cquick reference\u201d process is efficient, but it\u2019s not effective. When was the last time you asked yourself, \u201cWhat do I really think?\u201d.<\/p>\n
The innovations that pushed society forward have come from freethinkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So I believe creating the space to think for yourself will make you highly valuable in a world of distracted, \u201cme too\u201d merchants.<\/p>\n
#5 \u2013 Social Media Robs The Joy From Your Moments<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nDo you remember the days before you had a camera phone?<\/p>\n
\n- You\u2019d be at the Eiffel Tower having a blast snapping pictures and savouring the moment.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d marvel at the splendour and imagine the people walking the same steps a hundred years before you.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d get home, and weeks later, your pictures would be developed, and only then would you see how you looked.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d show the photos to your family and maybe some friends, but probably no more than 20 people saw them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Outcome: You experienced the moment fully.<\/strong><\/p>\nToday, instead of marvelling at the monument, we\u2019ve found ourselves doing this:<\/p>\n
\n- Planning outfits weeks in advance to ensure we coordinate<\/li>\n
- Posture, pose, and try to look like you\u2019re having fun (even if you\u2019re not)<\/li>\n
- Run over to the camera to hyper-critically judge how you look after every 5 clicks<\/li>\n
- Spend hours editing your pics for the perfect Instagram post<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Outcome:<\/strong> The process of chasing the perfect shot sucks the joy from the moment. You miss the whole experience.<\/strong><\/p>\nAn experience that you could have cherished forever is gone. Traded for an anxiety-producing flurry of photos and a quick dopamine fix for the few minutes after you finally post the (heavily edited) picture.<\/p>\n
Doesn\u2019t that sound messed up when you read it back?<\/p>\n
The need to be perfect and receive validation from your followers makes you wonder who you\u2019re living for.<\/p>\n
#6 \u2013 You\u2019re Connected to Everyone, Yet Connected To No One<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nYou\u2019re probably living an increasingly isolated life.<\/p>\n
Just you and the few friends and family you see in person. If you\u2019re like most people, the only way you connect to the world beyond that is through your phone.<\/p>\n
The internet gave us connection on a broader scale than ever, yet the depth of connection is missing.<\/p>\n
Even with our families and friends, we\u2019ve started to say \u201cfollow my Instagram\u201d as a replacement for quality time.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m guilty of this. I\u2019d tell my family the same and to subscribe to my newsletter<\/a>. They did, but they wanted some real time with me, not the polished version they could see through.<\/p>\nNobody wants the PR version of you. The carefully crafted message and polished image you cut, curate, and distribute far and wide.<\/strong><\/p>\nEveryone sees it, but nobody feels it. The real you is missing. The vulnerability, the spectrum of emotions, and even the quirks you don\u2019t like about yourself (that everyone else loves).<\/p>\n
There is no substitute for real, personal connection.<\/p>\n
Our families and friends deserve better, and I\u2019ve committed to talking to them more often and visiting them whenever possible.<\/p>\n
#7 \u2013 Is It Really Worth Losing Sleep Over?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nNot getting enough sleep causes severe problems like depression, brain fog, anxiety, hostility, and even psychotic disorders.<\/p>\n
These shocking facts give you an idea of just how crucial sleep is to our general well-being:<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the internet and sleep don\u2019t go very well together.<\/p>\n
This study claims 57% of teens who use technology in their bedrooms suffer from some form of sleep disruption<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe blue light emitted from your screen gives your brain the signal to stay alert when you should be winding down.<\/p>\n
Even if you don\u2019t delete social media, putting your devices away an hour before bedtime will help you sleep better and wake up refreshed.<\/p>\n
#8 \u2013 What You See Is Not What You Get<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nSocial media makes you think everyone else is living a perfect life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Travelling to exotic places, looking like a million bucks, and enjoying life to the fullest.<\/p>\n
You forget that you\u2019re comparing your life to someone else\u2019s heavily filtered and edited version of reality.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nYou should wrap babies in cellophane\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nAnd to give babies 7-up\u2026<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nHere\u2019s the shocking truth:<\/p>\n
While these studies focus on young people (as they\u2019re the heaviest users), it\u2019s important to remember these young people are the adults of the future.<\/p>\n
The indicators of what\u2019s coming are clear to see.<\/p>\n
#2 \u2013 Likes = Self Worth?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nThe people we look up to influence what we feel is important.<\/p>\n
In the past, we looked up to men and women doing great things. Today, we give our attention to whoever is the most outrageous.<\/p>\n
Martin Luther King has been replaced by Mark from Love Island.<\/p>\n
Social Media Influencers have become the stars of today, and likes are the currency.<\/p>\n
And so we equate our value to how many likes we get.<\/strong><\/p>\nOur drive for external validation and approval is so deep, we perform our own brand of superficial and attention-seeking behaviours in the hope of \u201cgoing viral.\u201d<\/p>\n
We try to fit in with what\u2019s popular, even if it\u2019s not who we are.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re jumping through hoops to get the bone.<\/p>\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLooking Outside yourself for direction is normal; we came from tribes, after all. But basing your identity on what people on the internet think is crazy.<\/p>\n
You try to live up to the lifestyle of the influencers and find it only brings anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n
Your idea of their \u201cperfect life\u201d isn\u2019t even real.<\/p>\n
\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nForget what the world tells you to be, do the things that move you. <\/p>\n
The secret to everything is being yourself.<\/p>\n\n\nTension is who you think you should be; relaxation is who you are.<\/em><\/p>\nAncient Chinese proverb<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n#3 \u2013 Your Return On Investment is Negative<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nWhat do you get out of social media?<\/p>\n
\n- A couple of good memes<\/li>\n
- DM\u2019s from your friends and family<\/li>\n
- Stay on top of the news<\/li>\n
- Find places you\u2019d like to travel to<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Now consider this: What does it take back from you?<\/p>\n
You already know you could do so much with your hours of mindless scrolling, so why do you do it?<\/p>\n
It\u2019s because of FOMO (fear of missing out).<\/p>\n
You\u2019re constantly in a state of worry about missing that picture or event that everyone else is talking about.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the kicker, though\u2026<\/p>\n
You\u2019re missing out on your life.<\/strong><\/p>\nYou could be doing something creative and fulfilling, building a life beyond what you ever thought possible.<\/p>\n
If you want to do something with your life, why spend 2-6 hours a day on something proven to make it worse?<\/p>\n
#4 \u2013 With So Much Noise, How Can You Hear Yourself?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nWant to know why you always feel so rushed, even on your days off?<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s what the average person\u2019s day looks like:<\/p>\n
You are being overwhelmed by messages, requests, and information. Many are telling you who you are and what you should be.<\/p>\n
With so much noise, how can you hear yourself? Where\u2019s your dialogue with yourself?<\/p>\n
Your intuition needs space to communicate with you.<\/p>\n
Social media opens the door to opinions on a scale we\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n
Everyone has a voice.<\/p>\n
While that\u2019s good, the downside is that many use that voice to parrot \u201cofficial narratives\u201d or whatever conspiracy feels right to them instead of thinking for themselves.<\/p>\n
In our overwhelming digital world, we often go with the majority, adopting the opinions of others to save time.<\/strong><\/p>\nThis \u201cquick reference\u201d process is efficient, but it\u2019s not effective. When was the last time you asked yourself, \u201cWhat do I really think?\u201d.<\/p>\n
The innovations that pushed society forward have come from freethinkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
So I believe creating the space to think for yourself will make you highly valuable in a world of distracted, \u201cme too\u201d merchants.<\/p>\n
#5 \u2013 Social Media Robs The Joy From Your Moments<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nDo you remember the days before you had a camera phone?<\/p>\n
\n- You\u2019d be at the Eiffel Tower having a blast snapping pictures and savouring the moment.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d marvel at the splendour and imagine the people walking the same steps a hundred years before you.<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d get home, and weeks later, your pictures would be developed, and only then would you see how you looked.\u00a0<\/li>\n
- You\u2019d show the photos to your family and maybe some friends, but probably no more than 20 people saw them.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Outcome: You experienced the moment fully.<\/strong><\/p>\nToday, instead of marvelling at the monument, we\u2019ve found ourselves doing this:<\/p>\n
\n- Planning outfits weeks in advance to ensure we coordinate<\/li>\n
- Posture, pose, and try to look like you\u2019re having fun (even if you\u2019re not)<\/li>\n
- Run over to the camera to hyper-critically judge how you look after every 5 clicks<\/li>\n
- Spend hours editing your pics for the perfect Instagram post<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Outcome:<\/strong> The process of chasing the perfect shot sucks the joy from the moment. You miss the whole experience.<\/strong><\/p>\nAn experience that you could have cherished forever is gone. Traded for an anxiety-producing flurry of photos and a quick dopamine fix for the few minutes after you finally post the (heavily edited) picture.<\/p>\n
Doesn\u2019t that sound messed up when you read it back?<\/p>\n
The need to be perfect and receive validation from your followers makes you wonder who you\u2019re living for.<\/p>\n
#6 \u2013 You\u2019re Connected to Everyone, Yet Connected To No One<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nYou\u2019re probably living an increasingly isolated life.<\/p>\n
Just you and the few friends and family you see in person. If you\u2019re like most people, the only way you connect to the world beyond that is through your phone.<\/p>\n
The internet gave us connection on a broader scale than ever, yet the depth of connection is missing.<\/p>\n
Even with our families and friends, we\u2019ve started to say \u201cfollow my Instagram\u201d as a replacement for quality time.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m guilty of this. I\u2019d tell my family the same and to subscribe to my newsletter<\/a>. They did, but they wanted some real time with me, not the polished version they could see through.<\/p>\nNobody wants the PR version of you. The carefully crafted message and polished image you cut, curate, and distribute far and wide.<\/strong><\/p>\nEveryone sees it, but nobody feels it. The real you is missing. The vulnerability, the spectrum of emotions, and even the quirks you don\u2019t like about yourself (that everyone else loves).<\/p>\n
There is no substitute for real, personal connection.<\/p>\n
Our families and friends deserve better, and I\u2019ve committed to talking to them more often and visiting them whenever possible.<\/p>\n
#7 \u2013 Is It Really Worth Losing Sleep Over?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nNot getting enough sleep causes severe problems like depression, brain fog, anxiety, hostility, and even psychotic disorders.<\/p>\n
These shocking facts give you an idea of just how crucial sleep is to our general well-being:<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, the internet and sleep don\u2019t go very well together.<\/p>\n
This study claims 57% of teens who use technology in their bedrooms suffer from some form of sleep disruption<\/a>.<\/p>\nThe blue light emitted from your screen gives your brain the signal to stay alert when you should be winding down.<\/p>\n
Even if you don\u2019t delete social media, putting your devices away an hour before bedtime will help you sleep better and wake up refreshed.<\/p>\n
#8 \u2013 What You See Is Not What You Get<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\nSocial media makes you think everyone else is living a perfect life.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Travelling to exotic places, looking like a million bucks, and enjoying life to the fullest.<\/p>\n
You forget that you\u2019re comparing your life to someone else\u2019s heavily filtered and edited version of reality.<\/p>\n
Our drive for external validation and approval is so deep, we perform our own brand of superficial and attention-seeking behaviours in the hope of \u201cgoing viral.\u201d<\/p>\n
We try to fit in with what\u2019s popular, even if it\u2019s not who we are.<\/p>\n
We\u2019re jumping through hoops to get the bone.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nLooking Outside yourself for direction is normal; we came from tribes, after all. But basing your identity on what people on the internet think is crazy.<\/p>\n
You try to live up to the lifestyle of the influencers and find it only brings anxiety and depression.<\/p>\n
Your idea of their \u201cperfect life\u201d isn\u2019t even real.<\/p>\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nForget what the world tells you to be, do the things that move you. <\/p>\n
The secret to everything is being yourself.<\/p>\n Tension is who you think you should be; relaxation is who you are.<\/em><\/p>\n Ancient Chinese proverb<\/em><\/cite><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n What do you get out of social media?<\/p>\n Now consider this: What does it take back from you?<\/p>\n You already know you could do so much with your hours of mindless scrolling, so why do you do it?<\/p>\n It\u2019s because of FOMO (fear of missing out).<\/p>\n You\u2019re constantly in a state of worry about missing that picture or event that everyone else is talking about.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the kicker, though\u2026<\/p>\n You\u2019re missing out on your life.<\/strong><\/p>\n You could be doing something creative and fulfilling, building a life beyond what you ever thought possible.<\/p>\n If you want to do something with your life, why spend 2-6 hours a day on something proven to make it worse?<\/p>\n Want to know why you always feel so rushed, even on your days off?<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what the average person\u2019s day looks like:<\/p>\n You are being overwhelmed by messages, requests, and information. Many are telling you who you are and what you should be.<\/p>\n With so much noise, how can you hear yourself? Where\u2019s your dialogue with yourself?<\/p>\n Your intuition needs space to communicate with you.<\/p>\n Social media opens the door to opinions on a scale we\u2019ve never seen before.<\/p>\n Everyone has a voice.<\/p>\n While that\u2019s good, the downside is that many use that voice to parrot \u201cofficial narratives\u201d or whatever conspiracy feels right to them instead of thinking for themselves.<\/p>\n In our overwhelming digital world, we often go with the majority, adopting the opinions of others to save time.<\/strong><\/p>\n This \u201cquick reference\u201d process is efficient, but it\u2019s not effective. When was the last time you asked yourself, \u201cWhat do I really think?\u201d.<\/p>\n The innovations that pushed society forward have come from freethinkers.\u00a0<\/p>\n So I believe creating the space to think for yourself will make you highly valuable in a world of distracted, \u201cme too\u201d merchants.<\/p>\n Do you remember the days before you had a camera phone?<\/p>\n Outcome: You experienced the moment fully.<\/strong><\/p>\n Today, instead of marvelling at the monument, we\u2019ve found ourselves doing this:<\/p>\n Outcome:<\/strong> The process of chasing the perfect shot sucks the joy from the moment. You miss the whole experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n An experience that you could have cherished forever is gone. Traded for an anxiety-producing flurry of photos and a quick dopamine fix for the few minutes after you finally post the (heavily edited) picture.<\/p>\n Doesn\u2019t that sound messed up when you read it back?<\/p>\n The need to be perfect and receive validation from your followers makes you wonder who you\u2019re living for.<\/p>\n You\u2019re probably living an increasingly isolated life.<\/p>\n Just you and the few friends and family you see in person. If you\u2019re like most people, the only way you connect to the world beyond that is through your phone.<\/p>\n The internet gave us connection on a broader scale than ever, yet the depth of connection is missing.<\/p>\n Even with our families and friends, we\u2019ve started to say \u201cfollow my Instagram\u201d as a replacement for quality time.<\/p>\n I\u2019m guilty of this. I\u2019d tell my family the same and to subscribe to my newsletter<\/a>. They did, but they wanted some real time with me, not the polished version they could see through.<\/p>\n Nobody wants the PR version of you. The carefully crafted message and polished image you cut, curate, and distribute far and wide.<\/strong><\/p>\n Everyone sees it, but nobody feels it. The real you is missing. The vulnerability, the spectrum of emotions, and even the quirks you don\u2019t like about yourself (that everyone else loves).<\/p>\n There is no substitute for real, personal connection.<\/p>\n Our families and friends deserve better, and I\u2019ve committed to talking to them more often and visiting them whenever possible.<\/p>\n Not getting enough sleep causes severe problems like depression, brain fog, anxiety, hostility, and even psychotic disorders.<\/p>\n These shocking facts give you an idea of just how crucial sleep is to our general well-being:<\/p>\n Unfortunately, the internet and sleep don\u2019t go very well together.<\/p>\n This study claims 57% of teens who use technology in their bedrooms suffer from some form of sleep disruption<\/a>.<\/p>\n The blue light emitted from your screen gives your brain the signal to stay alert when you should be winding down.<\/p>\n Even if you don\u2019t delete social media, putting your devices away an hour before bedtime will help you sleep better and wake up refreshed.<\/p>\n Social media makes you think everyone else is living a perfect life.\u00a0<\/p>\n Travelling to exotic places, looking like a million bucks, and enjoying life to the fullest.<\/p>\n You forget that you\u2019re comparing your life to someone else\u2019s heavily filtered and edited version of reality.<\/p>\n\n
#3 \u2013 Your Return On Investment is Negative<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
#4 \u2013 With So Much Noise, How Can You Hear Yourself?<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
#5 \u2013 Social Media Robs The Joy From Your Moments<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n
\n
#6 \u2013 You\u2019re Connected to Everyone, Yet Connected To No One<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
#7 \u2013 Is It Really Worth Losing Sleep Over?<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n
#8 \u2013 What You See Is Not What You Get<\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n