Shivani Mishra

Social media is undoubtedly the most influential and content-rich platform that we have in the 21st century. Everywhere we see, there is a deluge of content, relevant, or otherwise. How we comprehend it is our choice. We shall discuss the pressures of social media to cope with it. Undeniably, the digital age has brought many opportunities for us. We are never sure about the integrity of information from multiple sources. Some of these sources can be trusted, and some are questionable. We read about scandals, drool-worthy food, and escapist holidays that could burn a hole in your pocket and spotless skin that is a unicorn for us. The point is that we have set unattainable standards for living, work and even relationships that are otherwise very simple to pursue. And why do we do this? Because we think that our lives as they are, deserve improvement.

The dark truth of social media is that it is pushing us to rampant consumerism. Everything about social media that influences you into thinking that you are inadequate is subconsciously sparking the fire of materialism. If you wear this brand, you will come off as chic. If you use this phone, you will be perceived to be trendy. Across product categories, influencers market more than celebrities themselves. Social media doesn’t just influence your lives as consumers but also changes the dynamics of the existing relationships and the ones you could form in the future.

They are raising expectations in friendships, intimate relationships and even parenthood. I’m sure you know that affluent kids receive lavish gifts from friends and family on their graduation or birthdays. Such extravagance puts pressure on parents as kids somehow want to keep up with their peers, not realising that what they have is probably enough. There’s much more on your feed that affects your mind subconsciously, like the earworm from Instagram reels. It is perhaps enough for a piece of content to penetrate your mind subliminally in fifteen seconds, given the short attention span of our generation. How often do you find yourselves humming a tune you might have heard when scrolling casually?

The plan is simple. We need a digital detox, a respite from social media. But are we capable of detaching ourselves at will from social media? Emphatically, yes! Rather than succumbing to the lure of content continually making its way insidiously into our minds, we can choose to filter the content that grabs our attention. I try a digital detox every month, getting away from Instagram, Pinterest and even WhatsApp. Want to join me in the journey? Let me walk you through the process.

The first thing that we need to understand is the purpose of this journey. What kind of pressures does social media impose on you? This journey is personal to everyone. It might not be the same for everyone, as every individual has her unique predisposition. I’d be lying if I told you that this process is a cakewalk. Reasoning can lead you to the origin of your stress, which may be unrealistic expectations from life, work, or even relationships. Once we block out these sources, we will naturally feel lighter.

So, what can we do in a digital detox? Read books, which is an easy solution to all your problems. Choose your genre and get started. It doesn’t have to be heavy. You can begin with comics too. Anything that keeps you away from your phone or tablet!

• Self-affirmation is my personal favourite. This helps me keep my self-esteem in check, which gets wobbly now and then seeing all the unrealistic portrayals on social media. These insecurities penetrate even the thickest of skins
• Journaling offers an outlet for affirmation. Journaling puts all your thoughts on paper and helps you materialise your ideas. You can put anything down in a journal.

So, now that we know how to handle the unwanted pressure from social media, we can reclaim our peace and be.