If you are anything like me you are sick to death of anything and everything political. Seems like you can’t log in to any social media site without witnessing- if not actually getting into- an all out brawl. Even the simplest, most innocent observation can turn ugly in the blink of an eye.
Why are we doing this to ourselves?
Has anyone ever, in the history of the internet, changed anyone’s mind about ANYTHING this way? I submit they have not. Yet, we keep yelling at our neighbors and our friends and even our relatives for what? To prove we are right?
Here’s a radical thought. Well, 2 actually.
#1 Log off when your blood pressure starts to rise. The cute pictures of your niece will be there tomorrow. Go watch cat videos on YouTube. Go read a book. Go call your mother (assuming you won’t argue with her). Go for a walk. Do something, anything else to prevent blood boil. If there is one person who is getting your goat on a daily basis it’s OK to log off of them with the unfollow button. It’s there for a reason.
#2 When you are calm and want to interact online again do so with kindness and maturity. I believe it IS still possible to disagree without being disagreeable. Not everyone got this memo, and when you encounter those folks try to be reasonable and kind. And if that doesn’t work, refer to rule #1.
Social media is supposed to make our lives better, not worse. Self-care is just as important here as in any other area of your life. Be good to yourself. You deserve it.