How much online are you?

Have you ever felt alienated? Are you spending too much time on social media? How does it impact on your time, emotions and a view of reality?

by Renata Diurczak

Spending many hours watching Netflix, streaming videos, listening to music, FaceTime calls, texting, scrolling through social media platforms were enjoyable at the beginning of the quarantine. Then, suddenly it became a daily routine. Eventually, one day it hit me how tired I was of being online all day long. Adjusting to a new reality as Coronavirus has changed our lifestyles, limiting our freedom, making it impossible to go out to coffee with a friend and having any human connection as much anymore.

Video calls should make it up, allowing us to see another person on screen in real-time. On the one hand, it is efficient, feeling to be around people, getting positive vibes from seeing our friends faces and reactions. On the other hand, FaceTime calls are not enough. Being stuck in the house, limited outdoor activities, zombie style relationships with others – changed our daily routine. Unfortunately, instead of productively enjoying our time at home, many of us chose to enjoy social media. Scrolling through social media draws us to not live in the moment. Social media is an essential part of our lives today, we may consider it as a useful tool. There is also the other side of the coin: we waste a lot of time on it, completely consumed in it. Have you ever experienced watching your favourite TV show and checking Instagram stories? Did you feel anxiety when your Internet connection does not work properly? Are you checking your Facebook, Instagram, Twitter constantly? Are you taking a photo to share it on social media every day? Do you count how many likes you have got? Do you feel envious of friends lives on Instagram? There are just examples of some quality online time in quarantine. If you feel like saying yes to the above questions, let’s face it: you are in danger by spending far too much time online.

Happiness is not just a click. Life should be lived in the real world and not the virtual one.

On average, according to a study by Global Web Index, people spend around five hours a day on their phone, which includes at least 2 hours and 22 minutes only on social media. Per week, being online for 16,5 hours already seems like a lot. Does it mean that many of us could describe ourselves as social media addicts? It is only an average estimate of the research, if you are using your phone and computer more than that, may happen that you experience the fear of missing out, called FOMO. It describes the feeling of anxiety that people experience when they discover that others have been successful in doing something or have had fun together. Additionally, comparing yourself to other people may lead to mental health issues such as lower levels of wellbeing, isolation, low self-esteem, depression, anxiety and food disorders. Online life may be harmful if it replaces activities that would improve our wellbeings such as self-development, sleep, outdoor activities and human contact. At some point, social media decreases our concentration, becoming a drug, which changes our personality. Have you noticed that you type more than talk to your friends? It is really easy to get distracted and lose productivity. Suddenly, our behaviours and emotions are changing, pretending to be someone else and starting to show off which many times are far from reality. In the end, many of us follow two lives, a happy online life which is fake and a real one, which is unhappy and full of drama.

No WIFI talk to each other ©

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Social media can be useful. Although, our time spent online shouldn’t consume our daily life, work, hobby and relationships.

If you find yourself being overwhelmed by being online, try to take control of your life. It is crucial to realize that it is not worth to rely on social media, to be aware of your happiness and your time. Challenge yourself and turn off your phone, tablet, TV and computer at least for one day and spend quality time with yourself. Don’t get any distractions of a new follower or a notification. Face the experience, be honest with yourself and observe your feelings that are emerging. Are you getting angry, annoyed or frustrated? Are you searching for your phone constantly? If yes, take some steps and limit your time to spend online. Remember, your daily choices are essential. If social media took over you, now it is an important moment to make a shift in your life and choose wisely. As time is your investment to create value for your future, become a productive person with high self-esteem and just being happy offline.

Don’t waste your time

© google