For a couple of years already, almost every day I post at least one picture a day on Instagram.
Every day, I used to spend a considerable amount of time on my phone, not posting but checking how many likes I got and from who. Also who commented and what others were posting.
Every time I got a new amount of followers or likes I felt even excited, a kind of adrenaline rush in my body.
I thought and still think, that is a bit (or a lot) sick. Basically, what we classify under the term Addiction.
Do I need others to feel self-love?
Is there really someone who takes pictures and publish them purely for others and doesn’t find satisfaction in the fact of seeing him/herself in the picture?
Is it wrong to feel that self-esteem?
Or it’s nothing to do with self-love but narcissism?
Are we so disconnected from ourselves and the ones surrounding us that we need totally unknown people to confirm how beautiful we are?
It became such an important tool in my life that it affected my relationships.
I got into arguments with my partner for not paying attention to him but to the screen, to rush him into sending me the last photos he took so that I could decide which ones to publish in what I thought was the PEAK of the audience.
I have been with friends and family and totally immersed in my device like the world only existed inside the screen, and not otherwise.
The other day while teaching a workshop I observed that half of the students were with their devices inside the Shala. Since the very beginning, they were already posting what was happening, when I was explaining an asana or demonstrating it. Furthermore, if the student needed an adjustment, actually specifically if the student wanted or needed someone else was recording it to be posted live. The disconnection was really happening. In a regular class I wouldn’t allow it, personally, I think it’s a lack of respect towards your own being, towards the other students and towards the teacher. However, in a workshop where different people with different backgrounds and styles of practice gather together, it’s difficult for me to set a limit. I wouldn’t want them to feel I am being intrusive or too severe, since Yoga is a practice of compassion and love where we grow the flexibility of our body, but most importantly, of our minds.
I am not stating if this is right or its wrong I am just bringing up the question: Where are the limits? Are there any at all?
In the last months, I have been reflecting more and more about this topic. I decided finally to go offline for a few days. I took three days completely off all social media and I didn´t die 😉
I actually lived more.
I could observe as I did in the past, the people and scenarios around me inventing stories about them and their lives. I enjoyed nature, the city, snow, cold, walking, feeling, smelling and breathing. I lived with more awareness.
I caught myself wanting to post something in real time, and said to myself “I am not doing it” and asking “why do I need to?”. This is just mine. This moment only belongs to me, and that’s fine.
When I came back to the online world I did it with less anxiety and neediness. It helped me to use my phone and social media with more control. I am choosing better what and when to share, keeping in mind who is around me and what is the purpose.
Despite the amount o
f time I spend on social media, I am still using it as one of the main tools for work, but with more awareness. For instance, if I don´t publish in the exact time that is expected, it is not the end of the world. If a sponsor or co-host doesn´t understand it’s their problem, not mine.
Social media is not going to govern my life and should not govern anyone else either. We should govern SM, as we do yoga to govern our thoughts.
Happy selfies everyone 😉
Love and light, Nita.
Nita.
