I read this thing (I call it a 'thing' because I don't know if it was a study someone did, or just a lecture someone gave. Hell, I don't even remember where I read it...), A university had observed and followed the life of high school girls, and watched how social media had an effect on them. They called the trend these girls inevitably became in-wrapped in the "paper doll syndrome" due to only being viewed as 2-dimensional, and everyone of them looking and acting alike.
They found that with these girls, the more they were involved in social media, the lower their self esteem would fall, regardless of the amount of attention they received or didn't receive. And as their self esteem would fall, their anxiety would rise.
Some girls more so than others, but the three factors were all the same - the more involved in social media - the lower the self esteem - the higher the anxiety.
Now I realize that a group of dramatic hormonal girls is not a great thing to gauge yourself to. But the principals are true, and I think there is some of that high school girl that still lives on in me, I think we are, in a way, all high schoolers at heart. I feel the insanity of being involved in social media; comparing, exaggerating, coloring a life for yourself that is whatever you want it to be.
The cure to all of this was quite simple... hobbies!
They found that if any of the girls would invest time into hobbies that it would have the exact opposite effect on them. It built up positive self esteem and lowered anxiety. Isn't that wonderful??
Now, I don't know how involved I am in social media...
Ok, I do...
I feel like I am watching a train wreck sometimes of people and their stupid instagram accounts. Posting offensive stuff and then being offended when someone is offended.
Posting outfits, and where to get all your outfits.
Outfitting your outfits.
Posting personal crap, real personal things that make other squirm.
There are no rules, no restrictions about the topics that you can so carelessly throw away, and I can't look away sometimes, it fascinates me. And while I hate the crazy, there is a lot of good that can come from blogs and instagram (notice how I don't say facebook?).
But I feel like whether or not I am consumed in the filth, or actually using it in a positive way, I feel like the advice to pursue your hobbies is a great advice.
So, short story long- the base of my New Year's Resolutions... Condense. Find what makes my heart stir, make things simple, and jump on it.
14 days into the New Year is a perfect time to start my resolutions, right?
1. H O B B I E S
Stop being a baby and spend the money to go to EVERY exhibit at the Leonardo and make the money worth it. Are you kidding me? I live so close the place and they have amazing exhibits, who cares if it is 20 bucks a pop!? I got the money!
Water coloring. That's all. I just want to dabble in it... just for fun.
Bees. I've talked and dreamed about this one forever, this year I have time and money for the hobby, so why not? What the hell am I waiting for?
2. M I N I M A L I Z E
I knew of a man of many hats once, he was charming and carefree and I can't tell you a single thing he owned other than his dog and his truck. He would drive head first into a hobby and when he grew tired of it he would sale everything and start at ground zero, with new ideas. It was scary, but at the same time I felt this sense of freedom being around him when there was nothing holding him back.
Don't let my STUFF define me.
JANUARY AND FEBRUARY'S FOCUS - (I really am just writing notes for myself at this point)
THINGS
Throw it all away! (I don't really know what that means)
Why is my desk drawer packed full of stuff?
Why do I have a desk? I don't sit at it.
-Goal- fill two trader joe's bags a week with stuff in my room to toss.
My mom said it best - "if you haven't touched it in a year, throw it out!"
And I need to find a system to withhold the amount of stuff coming in too. (that will be later month's focus)
MEDIA
Treat my phone as a land line once a week. Leave it home.
Leave my phone plugged in charging across the room when I sleep. (this will prevent late night instagram browsing and watching a seinfeld episode "real quick" before bed) (also, I think this will help the cellphone waves not to fry my brain as I sleep, that can't be good to sleep with my phone so close to my head, right??? It's not good for the bees, it can't be good for me!!... who's to say?)
3. B E K I N D
This year, or these past few months rather, I feel like my mind is functioning differently. With the overwhelming show of love at my birthday. With the sorrow felt at a life cut short at a beautiful funeral. And in contrast to the feelings of embarrassment and stupidity for stupid choices I've made. I just feel like it is so important to show people love, to be kind, to be positive. Life is too short not to forgive.
(I have more bullet points on this one, but they are a little more personal, and I choose not to share them)
ANYWHO, I like to hear people's goals, it inspires me... so these are mine this year ((along with my mom's roll-over gaol from last year for me - to have babies (plural), can't give up on that goal - this might be the year!!)). Hope you are inspired to improve little things too. Also, I feel more accountable now having written them out.
I am reading Russell Brand's new book and he just inspires me in every way, everyone should read it.
By small and simple ways the world is shifting, in and out of seasons, in and out of trends and fashion, it changes ever so slightly and we sink into it, allowing the world to mold us into whatever it wants, so I strive to be more aware and in small and simple ways make my world the way I want it.
(thanks for sharing McKay, this is uplifting and well-timed)
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