Social Media Addiction | Another Coffee Talk ☕️

Social Media Addiction | Another Coffee Talk ☕️

Al hi and welcome (or welcome back) to another Coffee Talk. For those of you unfamiliar, Coffee Talk is a series and podcast I host where I sit down every Friday with a cup of coffee to discuss topics that have been on my mind. This week is no different.

Yesterday, I rotted in bed the entire day because of an unplanned outing the day before. I felt exhausted and ended up waking at noon, spending the day watching "Dexter," eating, and napping. Today, I'm trying to make the most out of it.

Now, to the topic of today's Coffee Talk: social media and my addiction to it. Admitting to addiction is bold, but I believe we're all somewhat addicted. I've noticed myself reaching for my phone for no reason, almost like a reflex, and spending up to an hour on it without any real purpose. It's not necessarily a fear of missing out, but a need to be distracted or entertained.

Often, I'll go to my phone for a specific action, like checking an email, only to get lost in a cascade of notifications. Social media is a significant part of my work and personal life, but this nonstop connection comes at a cost.

I was discussing this with a date recently, as well as with my mom, who noted that without social media, she wouldn't know how I'm doing. This realization made me aware that social media acts as a double-edged sword in our relationships and overall mental health.

Working in social media blurs the lines between professional and personal use for me. I find it challenging to draw a clear line between social media as work, entertainment, or social connection. TikTok, for example, is a platform I both love and hate. I'm good at setting limits but know many who scroll endlessly, and scrolling too long makes me feel over-stimulated.

Interestingly, even creating this content is ironic. I talk about the burden of social media while contributing to it. Part of me seeks that external validation—whether it be for relevance, humor, or general engagement. Why do we post about our lives? Is it to share or to seek approval?

I sometimes feel that without posting, I am doing nothing, which is a daunting thought. Social media keeps me connected and inspired but also traps me. My friend who went off social media for a year felt disconnected from cultural references, proving how ingrained it is in our lives.

I've tried to manage this addiction by setting boundaries: no social media for the first hour after waking or the last hour before bed. This helps recalibrate my brain and offers some peace from constant stimulation.

In conclusion, while recognizing the addiction is good, what's more challenging is changing behaviors. I've seen the benefits of disconnecting even briefly, and I encourage others to try the same, even if just for a couple of hours daily.

Thank you for joining me on another Coffee Talk. I hope my thoughts have made a small difference in your day.

Keywords:

• Social Media
• Addiction
• Dopamine
• Connection
• Boundaries
• Validation
• TikTok
• External Approval

FAQ:

Q: What is Coffee Talk? A: Coffee Talk is a series and podcast where I discuss various topics while enjoying a cup of coffee.

Q: Why do you feel addicted to social media? A: I find myself reflexively reaching for my phone and getting lost in social media, using it for work, entertainment, and connection.

Q: How does social media affect your relationships? A: Social media can blur the lines between personal and professional life, making it difficult to maintain genuine connections.

Q: How do you manage your time on social media? A: I try to avoid social media for the first hour after waking and the last hour before bed, although it's challenging given my work in social media.

Q: Is social media more beneficial or harmful to you? A: While I recognize its addictive nature, social media also provides opportunities for connection, knowledge, and professional growth.

Q: Can you live without social media? A: Given its role in my professional and personal life, completely avoiding social media is difficult, even if I did not work in it.