Do you think we'll all feel happier if we spend less time online and on social media feeds?
Posted by Brave_Assumption6@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 25 comments
Because I really feel that to be the case. Being online on a place like Reddit always makes me feel panicky as if everything is terrible and doomed. But almost always when I go outside to where I live, enjoying the nature, even shopping in the town centre, my whole viewpoint shifts considerably.
My town square was bustling with people and children on Sunday enjoying the weather. Shops like Superdrug and H&M were packed, ice cream vans were around, I heard music at places. There is still fun to be had and there are still nice people around. Yesterday had a good dinner with neighbours and I plan to watch the Champions League final at a bar this weekend. I'm not rich by any means but I still take time to enjoy basic life and get on with it.
In the meantime the online media and especially doomsayers will just keep spreading negative things. My eyes really opened up to this recently and I realised we all just need a little less time online and more in the real world. But do you lot agree with this view?
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GJThunderqunt@reddit
Came off most traditional socials about 10 years ago. The downside is losing touch with peripheral characters in my life.
The difference to my mental health is immeasurable. I'm on Reddit but I don't live and die for up or down votes. I know it's an echo chamber. If it gets too much I'll delete it.
JJJ20022002@reddit
I agree 100%, i feel like i grew up with really toxic social media (as a women it seemed all about appearance) so i feel differently than my aunties/uncles that are constantly on it, but having the space away means i would find putting the faceade on again exhausting
EatingCoooolo@reddit
No we will never be happy. We’d find other things to occupy us.
dropthemustard@reddit
It’s Reddit. Most aggressive onliners are doomers, energy drains, and sad acts because they don’t have much going on.
Best not to spend too much time on it or just see it for what it is.
Life is sweet.
MrBread0451@reddit
Do you think we'd be happier if we stopped staring directly into the Misery Laser™️ first thing every morning?
GlitchingGecko@reddit
Depends on the person and what you're doing online.
Your example sounds like a nightmare to me. I'd much rather be at home, online.
Brave_Assumption6@reddit (OP)
Sounds like you're the indoorsy type lol. It's fine and way better than the doomscrolling stuff. However negative things online also often talk about how society is dead and everyone is 'doomed' etc. That's where going outside completely obliterates that view and that part feels really good.
GlitchingGecko@reddit
I like the outdoors fine when other people aren't there, or at least less people. Elbowing through crowds, queuing at tills, and waiting in line is a PITA at the best of times.
I can do small talk and be sociable and that, but I don't enjoy it at all. I'd love if everything was open 24/7 so I could go grocery shopping at 3am and not see anyone unless the self-scan fucks up.
I can't think of any situation that is improved, for me, by other people (other than required ones) being there. Except my partner. He doesn't count as people.
Petrichor_ness@reddit
Ten years ago, I was living in London, working a stressful 60hr week job in digital marketing and employed by a soulless entity who quite literally didn't care if their staff lived or died.
I now live in the Scottish Highlands, I'm self employed and work part time. I finish work on Thur, computer/work/email is shut off until Monday morning.
I'll spend Friday going for a long walk with my dogs, learning a new skill/DIY around the house, working in the garden, crafting - anything away from a screen.
My life is so much better now. If I could find a way to spend even less time online, it would be even better.
Cultural_Tank_6947@reddit
Holy ChatGPT karma farming.
We won't all feel happier if we spend less time online, and on social media feeds.
Some people can have very shit real life circumstances where shit scrolling on TikTok or Instagram is their preferred form of escapism.
But for the rest, whose lives are generally good and decent, yes.
Most_Selection_7575@reddit
Yes, but people have become addicted to it and it's pretty much a way of life for many. I had a FB account for 19 years, and was suddenly falsely banned by Meta's AI bots for absolutely no reason (they cited 'account integrity' but I hadn't done anything). From being a very active member of many groups and communities, keeping up with all my friends, family and contacts from my various interests over the last two decades and beyond, it was all gone in an instant. This had a major effect on me and it was pretty much like a sudden bereavement. But it brought it home to me how enmeshed we have all become in SM and it forced me to live life as I did before it all, which was a long time ago!
Luckily I am a very outdoors person anyway and have always appreciated nature and the calming effect it can have. So while it was not of my choosing, maybe it was a good thing and will make me seek out real world people rather than communicate via a keyboard.
SM is full of negativity and I'm certain is having a hugely detrimental effect particularly on young people who don't know life without it.
No_Consideration7466@reddit
I've got an auntie and uncle who have never done social media. They have WhatsApp, but have never done Facebook, twitter etc. My uncle actually worked in IT for decades (retired 4 years ago) and they're both savvy with technology, they just use it for practical things only. They are both a lot lot happier than most people I know.
Novel_Ad_8369@reddit
A huge yes. I came off social media in November and my mental health has gone from strength to strength.
Brave_Assumption6@reddit (OP)
Great! And have you also experienced what I said like going outside to town, shops and bars, ice cream vans or even as simple as enjoying nature? It goes a long way.
sameoldkit@reddit
Not necessarily, I loved social media in the late 2000s and early 2010s - I made some of my best friends through it and we went out physically all the time. We took messy photos, uploaded whatever. The internet was more fun and less judgmental. There were lulz at the time you could never post now. Social standards changed, my view at the time was that people would become increasingly liberal and continue the trend. My view was wrong.
jennyfurr7@reddit
Most definitely yes. We need to look upwards and outwards and start living in our surroundings. I don't think social media is healthy at all. I think if I didn't have my phone/ipad etc it would force me to go out and seek human contact which I think is a necessity. Look how much happier and more fulfilled you felt.
G_UK@reddit
Yes. I’ve got rid of all social media, but Reddit. I need to reduce the amount I use the app.
Social media is on balance, not a positive thing for me
OhNoDobe@reddit
I've recently started to ignore most news/world event posts/articles I see. I try to see the factual side of it and keep up with where the world is going but I definitely feel happier.
ShingledPringle@reddit
Yes, but it is not inherently the media feeds fault but how they market and change to try and make us take in more.
If I could go on Facebook and just see my friends posts I would be more inclined to use it.
Monkeyboogaloo@reddit
Yes. Get the “media” out of social and just be social.
Proud_Ad_8915@reddit
Definitely. I often take regular breaks from social media
whitey2048@reddit
Yes, 100 percent, I'm not on any main stream media sites, and restrict my social media to topics that actually interest me. I have friends who over consume, and it is clear they place more emphasis on what they see online, than what they see in real life through their own lived experiences. These are so called intelligent people too, but they are clearly being litteraly brainwashed, and they can't even see it.
OddSign2828@reddit
Didn’t ready beyond the title. Answer is very clearly yes.
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