Can you find a balance with social media?
I recently decided that all social platforms weren't doing my mental health any good. As someone who loves to communicate and wishes to share all the knowledge and experience gifted to me in the last 4 years after a terminal cancer diagnosis, this has been difficult but much needed to gain my own sanity. Even seeing the news is not something I am unable to cope with on top of my ongoing challenges.
How do social media posts make you feel?
It's easy to get lost and distracted by social media now. It has its pros and cons. At times an uplifting message can motivate or demotivate depending on the frame of mind. Recognising that, not giving yourself a hard time and finding a way back helps. Or perhaps you need to just sit and feel through it.
Do a task that feels like an accomplishment and even if it's tiny and it takes you all day to talk yourself into it, it's still a step ahead if you happen to be worried about being left behind, on top of everything else. As an overthinker, my brain often likes to go all out.
And by the way, you are never behind. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. The more cancer has slowed me down the more I realise the pace of life I used to run at was impossible for my body to cope with. And I will always be grateful to the warning system that was cancer that put a stop to it, even if it did nearly kill me. It taught me without health you are very limited in your capabilities. So it's best to look after and not kill yourself by working yourself into the ground.
How does sharing on social media help you?
I use my platforms to air my viewpoints and place them into the abyss and it matters not how far they reach just that I get the therapeutic offload gained. Of course, if I reach one person and make a difference in their life, even if I am not there to see it, just knowing that makes my splurging all the worthwhile. Inner validation is really the only source of motivation we need, outside encouragement is always welcome and uplifting as well though, but not to be relied upon or expected.
Do you need to take a break from social media?
Finding a balance and knowing when to not overdo it and take a break is key. Always find the way that works for you. If being consistent works for you and you plan to take a break for a month do that. And if that makes you just panic if you slip on a day by checking your socials, making you inconsistent and feeling like a failure so giving up altogether then just don't think about it so hard. I feel like there are levels of accountability which suit the level we are on and who better to know and find the balance than your inner self. As long as you aren't enabling behaviour that keeps you stuck and harms your well-being, then just go with the flow and be. Perhaps use that time on something productive. Journaling, going for a walk, learning to play the guitar, decluttering, reading a book, whatever helps your mindset. We can't always remain in a state of bliss, there will be low moments. Find the best way to manoeuvre them.
How do you manage overwhelm and mental well-being? Share your thoughts in the comments for others to get some ideas.
Go easy on you. Stay beautiful. Anna 
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