INPUT/OUTPUT
Thought bubble here.
I ask you to question:
when we pursue the act of “bettering ourselves” do we work towards how we would like to be perceived rather than evaluating what would actually lead to our improvement?
(Are we doing the work that needs to be done, so that the real work can begin?)
Do we consider the influences that prevent us from transforming, as factors in our plateau?
Maybe these are areas that have stopped our growth before, even beyond our scope of recognizing that it has…
The other night I watched “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” the documentary released in 2018, about the life and career of the iconic television host Mister Rogers, with my boyfriend. I loved the way that Fred Rogers viewed television. He saw it as a vehicle for enrichment and learning...as a way to broaden children’s horizons, increase their understanding of compassion and teach the importance of kindness.
But he hated television, as it was programmed. He felt that the general content for kids was dumb and useless.
I started to think about the content that I choose to pay attention to, and not only that, but the content I choose to absorb as well as the content I wish to release...and I decided I’ve been approaching this all wrong.
I wondered,
What if we used social media technology as a way to lift up those around us?
As a way to fill others with positivity and actively give happiness, so that instead of fulfilling your ego, you are filled by the thought of reaching people...
What if we looked at it, as a tool instead of a mode of distraction or comfort?
Making space for better practices that encourage real rest and rejuvenation….
What if we could liberate our time and enhance our brains by making just a few adjustments?
To avoid expending energy in ways that are detrimental... by weeding out content that takes away from good work and a healthy mindset
Which naturally led me to a media cleanse, during which I happily:
Unfollowed business pages I had committed to in the course of entering giveaways
Deleted “Friends”, whose content I don’t necessarily feel inspired by or the need to engage myself in
Unsubscribed to certain notification settings, so that my phone would be less clustered and stimulating
I also cleaned out both my “junk” email and professional email.
Years of saying yes to adding my email for rewards at restaurants, coffee shops, and retail stores, really added up.
I found this to be helpful:
Only staying subscribed to emails from corporations I actively shop at. (Emphasis on actively)
Otherwise those emails are just a way to rope you into buying products from a store you don’t actually NEED anything from.
Sorting important emails into separate areas to minimize virtual clutter
i.e. bills, active notices, work information, etc.
Deleting subscriptions from companies or organizations that are ALWAYS sending “big news”
And/or adjusting email notifications from companies that send product info out once or more a day
Keeping content I enjoy reading and making more effort to do so
I enjoy Well + Good, Nutritious Life, and Clean Plates’ newsletters as well as keeping up with Chicago food and entertainment via Hot Tix, Eater and Do312 among others. Clearing out my inbox gives me the opportunity to see those emails first, and enjoy the content more easily.
Reducing overlap of notifications
i.e. Monitoring settings for notifications that you receive on your phone and on email.
Download a tracking or locking app to monitor the amount of time spent on social networks, apps, internet browsing, etc.
And hey not all silly content is bad, sometimes your day is totally brightened by a ridiculous video. You don’t have to cut it all out, but chances are that once you do, you won’t realize you’ve missed it at all….
As an overall effort to be better about the content I release,
I also made a list to refer to before posting.
If this helps as a guide or this is something you are interested in, perhaps you can use it as well.
I don’t think we often ask ourselves WHY we post before we do.
What is my main purpose in posting this content?
Is this post well-thought out?
Does this post need to be made?
Does this post have the potential to bring joy to others?