We all strive to feel more alive, and live vibrant, socially active lives. We all also hope to build connections with others and live a life of purpose. However, we also get distracted by social media for hours a day. Nowadays, so many of us are too busy scrolling through our smartphones to actually live life. Instead of forming real, face-to-face connections, we spend hours a day obsessing over other people’s lives. This has resulted in a lack of actual socialization and a possible decrease in work ethic.
The COVID-19 pandemic boosted web and social media usage since we couldn’t be with our friends and loved ones physically. As the world practiced social distancing, we sought other people’s company virtually. [i]
The truth is, most social media actually take us away from our social lives. We merely get the illusion of social life and relationships when we receive validation from every like we get on social media. Before social media emerged, friends were people who we would spend actual time with and share deep personal connections. While there were acquaintances, coworkers, or college friends along the way, there were only a limited number of people that we considered real friends. Traditionally, building relationships took time and required emotional connections, openness, energy, engagement, and work. Nowadays, however, social media relationships can be achieved by just clicking a button to accept a friend request, and we suddenly know everything that is going on in someone’s life.
Social media use, therefore, can lead to addiction. The time you spend on social media can feel productive because it feels like you are learning new ideas as you read articles, share posts, or comment on our friends’ posts. Neurologically, spending time on social media even lights up the pleasure centers of our brain. This makes it highly rewarding and addictive when someone likes something that we have posted or commented on. Social media has also provided us with the platform to voice our complaints and have people identify with us. Having someone genuinely understand us and help us solve problems builds human interaction.
So should we quit social media? It sounds easy. But quitting social media isn’t so easy because FOMO (fear of missing out) plays a huge role. Even if you’re not addicted to it, you will experience withdrawal symptoms.
However, even if you could successfully abandon social media, cutting it out completely will not solve your productivity problems. This is because the current digital landscape has integrated social media with nearly every aspect of our lives. For example, you might be the administrator of a Facebook page for work. Likewise, some of your favorite brands might be more active on social media than they are anywhere else. You might also rely on social media for news from around the world. Further, even off of social media, there is always a distraction to divert you. You could just as easily get distracted by other apps and websites. For this reason, instead of completely deleting your social media, you should consider taking a few strategic steps to use these platforms wisely. This way, you can make sure you’re only getting the best out of social media.
First, you need to realize that certain elements of social media are not worth spending time on. Make sure you have a clear goal each time you sign online, try to set time limits, and make efforts to connect with people offline. Over time, you will start to really connect with people again and build stronger relationships. You will also rediscover the simple joys of intimate texts and phone calls.
Second, consider turning off notifications. Social media notifications are a significant distraction. By disabling them all together, you can access your social media on your terms rather than being a slave to your pop-ups.
Additionally, you should reduce the number of apps. Instead of going cold-turkey and deleting every social app from your mobile device, you should delete the apps which offer a buffet of distractions and only keep those that are truly valuable to you.
Furthermore, as mentioned above, you should try and restrict usage. It is important to set strict time limits and timeframes, so that you avoid falling into rabbit holes.
You must also prioritize sleep. We tend to do most of our social media scrolling when we are in bed or relaxing. In order to cut down on social media usage, try to turn off all devices a few hours before bed and do not turn them back on until the following day.
Finally, try a digital detox. Before deciding whether or not you should cut out social media altogether, you should go on a digital detox of leaving social media for a few days, or even just a day. It is difficult, but this will help you to see if your productivity improves without technological distractions. Think of it as an experiment to see if and how your life improves without the constant distractions from social media.
That all being said, to provide people with a way to use social media to facilitate deeper engagement, Break Diving has launched a not-for-profit social media site that attempts to combat all the negativity of and on social media, and amplify the positive. The organization was founded on one mission; to increase people’s success, happiness, and friendships worldwide. The team behind Break Diving understands that traditional social media is one of the biggest causes of depression, arrogance, selfishness, and loneliness in the modern world. Additionally, regardless of one’s accomplishments, most people feel like they are still inadequate and cannot shake feelings that they have failed compared to their peers. Finally despite the Internet offering us better connections to the rest of the world, most of us still lack true friendship and camaraderie.
Break Diving is changing this. The platform has proven to be a force of inspiration and support in the world by: 1) Helping people feel more connected and supported, 2) Building a positive alternative to all other social media platforms that brings people together in harmony, 3) Helping users achieve all their life goals and encouraging them to inspire others as well, 4) Creating a global mentorship program, and 5) Expanding everyone’s global cultural perspective to promote mutual understanding.
Unlike other platforms, Break Diving has regular live events that members can attend. They also offer a “dive certification program” that allows members to get certified in hundreds of “dives” at various levels. Dives are tasks that members can complete to show their skills in particular areas. Additionally, through their peer-networking support groups and events, they offer motivation and support. Finally, through the top-down mentorship and support program infused in their community, they help provide strategy and business sense.
The platform combines the best parts of other social media platforms. Break Diving has a rigorous application process as well as a clear Diver’s Code and Member Expectations. Since they are more than a social media site, they do not just accept anyone. Break Diving cares about its community. For this reason, they only accept applicants who will fit in, enjoy the experience and make the platform better. While their plan is not to exclude anyone, their application process is designed to help people understand what Break Diving is all about so that users can be positive members of the community from day one. The supportive community is filled with coders, writers, linguaphiles, performers, investors, entrepreneurs, travelers and parents from all over the world. While the members come from all walks of life, they’re all ambitious, motivated, friendly, helpful, and committed to helping others succeed.
If you love to learn from others and share with others, improve your life, develop greater self-esteem and pursue your dreams, Break Diving is the perfect social media platform for you.
If you’re interested in applying for Break Diving, click here to start your application. You can also get more information on these platforms:
Community Site: https://www.breakdiving.io/
Corporate Site: https://www.breakdiving.org/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/breakdiving
Blog: https://breakdiving.blog/
W.Y.S.E Blog: https://wyseguidance.org/
[i] https://www.emarketer.com/content/social-networks-experienced-pandemic-driven-boost-2020