I’ve had to give up Facebook.
Ever since I’ve discovered health and fitness, my Facebook feeds have reflected my newfound interest; by “kindly” sending me ads promoting health, nutrition and exercise. Except the problem is that all the articles and videos it so graciously thinks I need feature perfect women; women with flawless muscular bodies or ultra thin, young models. While I appreciate seeing people who are in prime physical condition, this most definitely does not reflect reality, certainly not MY reality anyway.
After being barraged with image after image of this, I found myself inadvertently questioning myself. How come I’m not stronger yet? How come I haven’t lost the remaining pounds yet? How come I don’t look anything like these women? The mere fact that my subconscious thought I SHOULD look like these women was telling. It was making me depressed, sad, impatient with myself and frustrated. It’s not how I want to live my life and so I gave it up and I feel so much better.
Now I only go on social media that uplifts me. I stay on Instagram because I can choose who I want to follow; women of all shapes and sizes who are inspiring to me and I’m not flooded with ads that I don’t need to see. (Thanks IG!) My mental and emotional attitude has improved dramatically. I’m not so hard on myself for not being “there” yet; wherever “there” is. I like myself again and that’s important.
Social media can be insidious. It doesn’t tell the whole picture and oftentimes only shows the good, the beautiful, and the perfect. So-and-so has the perfect body, the perfect career, the perfect life. Maybe they do, but more often than not, they don’t. It’s fine if people want to portray themselves a certain way, but when that becomes damaging to my psyche, I draw the line. It’s a shame because Facebook is the only way I can keep up with childhood friends who live overseas, so I won’t completely abandon it; I’ll check in monthly or so. But my health – physical, emotional and mental – has become my top priority and I won’t let anything or anyone sabotage that!
My Journey to Health 