Quitting Social Media
I've decided to quit TikTok and Instagram.
Typically, I would just post myself and consume, consume and consume— and I realized I was over consuming and not creating enough, nor creating spaces in my life for me to implement what I'm inspired by — and I think social media is a layered subject. It's a lot of people's main source of information, inspiration, connection with others and more. But that's exactly the problem.
So many people rely on social media to get their information, rather than doing their research and reading articles and getting information from trusted sources like unbiased news outlets or even youtube videos (I can be guilty of this as well,) but it's so important to research topics and form your own opinions, espically now within this generation. I refuse to be out of the loop espically with everything going on within American society right now, and espically as a Black Woman in America.
Another issue that I've picked up on within the social media space is the power of influence. I feel like (personally) sometimes when seeing something on tiktok/instagram that kind of influences me, I try to figure out how to revolve my whole personality around it. Now, don't get me wrong, it could be a me problem, which is whatever because I'm not trying to get anyone else to quit social media— this is just my rant post about why I've decided to take a step back from it.
I think the rise of the "aesthetic" prevents people from finding things that they like, and I see that problem within myself as well. It even manifests in the way how I interact with shopping. If something doesn't fit into the aesthetic I'm going for— even if I really like it I won't purchase it. I want to see if me taking a step back from social media and the insight into other peoples lives will help me actually get things that I like and save things on pinterest that resonates with me, that is not within an "aesthetic."
When people are truly being themselves they develop their own vibe and "aesthetic" that cannot be mimicked or copied, and that's okay. Looking at social media through the lens of people posting just for themselves may help with feeling like I don't have an aesthetic and will help me develop my personal style and personal vibe (although everyone already has one) without feeling like I'm under watch by everyone in the world.
Yes, I'm still on tumblr, I think it's a space where I can socialize and get my thoughts out without necessarily showing my face or over consuming on it.