Friend,
I know you’re reading this email because we somehow connected on social media, and I am grateful for your presence. And that’s probably the only reason I am still using it here and there.
But there was a time when I was addicted to the world of social media (we’ll call it SM from now). First, I would spend 3-4 hours on Instagram alone; then there was YouTube, Twitter, and whatnot.
My entire content creation is diversified across the platforms, and I assumed that I was working while I was simply on a Judgmental Spree (in hindsight)
Let me give you a clear picture.
When you go through a post on Instagram, you like the post or save it.
In the back of your mind, hundreds of thoughts are running
She’s magnificent even without makeup (comparison)
He has a perfect gym shark athlete body (comparison and aspiration)
I need to implement this in buy content or business (greed or want)
I want to go to that place (lack)
I wish I could buy that Merc (lack)
Wow, their life is perfect (comparison and dissatisfaction)
How can someone be so stupid to post it (judgment)
The judgemental loop starts rolling; you judge your life with the person who posted that, or you judge them for being themselves or living their life.
I am not sure if it happens with everyone, but it did happen to me. It left me in a severe state of anxiety and overwhelmed.
It wasn’t all personal but business-related as well. I wanted to try all sorts of lessons I learned online. I wanted to write like my favorite blogger. I wanted to record a podcast like a top podcaster and yada yada yada.
It was wild.
So I decided to quit my addiction cold turkey in March and stopped using most of SM, not even for learning.
I am not saying SM is terrible; I love it for the opportunities it has provided me. However, with time it started becoming meaningless.
For the excuse I was spending so much time on it, I found other mediums to learn and connect with my friends through phone and video calls.
I reworked my learning methods.
The reason I joined Twitter was to consume wisdom tweets from Naval (the thinker I look up to for entrepreneurial knowledge and philosophy). But I was consuming more than just his content. I followed all the entrepreneurs I admired and consumed everything they were sharing, and that everything compiled became a big mess in my mind.
I learned my lesson and went back to learning the ancient ways —from books. And the podcasts and long blogs of few people instead of tweets from multiple.
It did wonders for my focus, concentration, and mental health :)
So that’s what my relationship with SM is been like.
What about you?
Last Week’s Finds
Lesson of the week
Happiness is just breaking the monotony.
Currently reading
I am reading The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, a contemporary fiction. And poems by Emily Dickinson.
Video of the week
This clip from Lex Fridman interviewing author Rob Reid discussing finding the right intersection of things you’re good at. I couldn’t listen to the entire episode, but this clip spoke to me on so many levels because I am obsessed with the idea of being yourself and following all your interest to be successful. As a multi-passionate person, I cannot choose one, and Rob was spot on with his answer.
I haven’t found my sweet spot yet, but I am working on it, and if you belong to this category, I have an article that might help you. (It’s a friend link so that you can read it without Medium membership)
Quote of the Week
“The successful warrior is the average man, with laser-like focus.”
—Bruce Lee
Song of the Week
Star-Lord's favorite song Come and Get Your Love by Redbone. There’s something about 70s music.
Creation of the Week
I wrote an article about how lack of focus is making you question your creative path.
I hope this week's recommendations were interesting to you. I am off to reading back my books. Enjoy your day.
Love and light
Shreya