photo cred: AD images
There are many reasons I prefer Instagram to Facebook, but one of the main reasons is that I have more control of the content I'm seeing. Unlike Facebook where I have mostly family, friends and acquaintances that I'm connected with... and a little too much political banter... on Instagram I'm following a lot of accounts that inspire me or have content that makes me laugh or think.
My own Instagram content is different than what I generally post on Facebook... especially on my "story" where I regularly post stuff that might inspire, motivate or make you laugh. Although my sense of humor is somewhat twisted so if you're also into sarcasm, I'm less likely to offend you. In my defense though... I only have about 1/4 of the number of followers that I do on Facebook... so there's less to offend. LOL
Matthew Hussey is someone I follow. I found him when he was interviewed by Ed Mylett who I was already following on Instagram. I've shared content from both of them on here before. And while Matthew is an author & gives content specific to dating advice... it's not why I decided to follow him. Not that I don't need that kind of advice, because Lord knows any advice is welcome. LOL However, a lot of what he posts makes sense about human interaction of any kind... how our own upbringing or past experiences shape who we are as adults and all the baggage we have to unpack with that if we want healthy experiences and communication with others.
Today his post was titled: What are you doing to live YOUR life today?
and the following was in the caption...
- Doing 10 sit-ups is better than scrolling photos of the perfect, glistening bodies of people who workout for a living.
- A hike you do on a shitty path near your house is more nutritious than watching somebody else walk around the Italian Riviera on Instagram.
- Attempting to cook one new meal is more valuable than watching an entire season of a cooking show.
- Inviting 2 friends you don’t see too often for a catch-up is more valuable than watching videos of other people hanging out with their entourage
- Talking to one new person is more valuable than scrolling through pictures of a seemingly perfect Instagram couple #couplegoals
- Making 2 sales calls today is more valuable than 1000 #MillionaireMindset quotes with Ferraris and expensive watches in the background.
It’s fine to take moments to enjoy these things as inspiration, entertainment, or even escapism. But don’t spend so much time in escapism that you forget about your real life. These things do nothing to build you. They are hollow, empty-calorie substitutes for living our actual life.
Inhabit your own life. Make it bigger, richer, more nutritional - even if only by inches each day. Who cares if it feels like nothing in comparison to what others have, are doing, are achieving. It’s REAL.
In the end the real moments you experience in your own life will be worth far more to you than the time you spent being a spectator for the peaks of everybody else’s existence.
In my own case... I was having a bad day last week & randomly got a last minute invite for happy hour with a few girls.
My mind went in 2 different directions... decline, stay home, likely scroll through social media, watch TV & sulk about canceled plans OR just say yes and go.
Honestly I strongly considered declining, but made myself reply yes & go take a shower. Not only was I glad I went though, it ended up being one of the most fun nights I've had in a long time. It was last minute. I was supposed to have other plans. And had I not said yes, I would've never known I was going to miss as much fun as I had, which by the way also took me out of my own "sulking" and into experiencing life... my own good life.
How often do you find yourself "escaping" your real life or procrastinating getting things accomplished? Are you Netflix & chilling more than you're actually chilling with friends or family? Are you counting how many "likes" you have on social media more than you're concerned with being likeable and engaged with the people in your own home... the people who supposedly matter the most? Do you have more screen time than exercise time?
His post makes a lot of sense.
But reading a post and actually applying it by changing habits & behaviors is two different things.
If you're looking to make changes in your life... start with some of your daily habits that are "time wasters" and replace that wasted time with something that could benefit you in a more positive way. Here's some ideas that can take between 5 minutes to 1 hour of your time...
Okie dokie then... close up your phone or laptop & go take a walk. I'm getting ready to do the same. It's a beautiful day!
XOXO
Loveeeeeee this!! So TRUE!
Posted by: Julie Tucker-Wolek | October 15, 2020 at 08:13 AM