How Social Media Built Me—and Almost Broke Me

A lot of people have different views about social media. Some see it as a platform that builds great connections, a platform that helps businesses thrive and the like, whereas some others argue that it only destroys lives in many ways with little advantage. But what do I say?

Personally, I think social media does both as described above. It is capable of building and destroying. It all depends on how we use it and how much we control it ourselves instead of allowing it to control us.

On the bright side, social media has been a source of building for me. I have had the opportunity of meeting the kind of people I may never meet in real life, but I have them now through social media. Where could I have probably met these sweet souls I am connected with now across the globe? Hive is another social media platform where both my thoughts and voice are heard. A space where I express myself and keep growing in diverse areas of my life. A space where I started learning this skill called writing, and today, I see a lot of improvement from where I am coming from.

A platform that means a learning zone for me in many ways, consciously developing myself for good, building confidence, and improving my communication skills. I won't deny that even in areas I can't express myself here, I have experienced self-growth through this social media platform.

On the other hand, social media can be a silent destroyer if one is not deliberate about its use. Let me use myself as an example. Some time ago, I saw myself comparing a lot of what I see from people's highlights with my personal life. I felt I was being left behind, and the silent pressure to keep up clothed me gradually. I didn't know when I started stressing myself to be like others I see out there.

The truth is that when we expose our minds so much to what is happening on the Internet, both the fake and the real happenings, it will gradually steal the contentment we claim to have as a virtue.

Again, I noticed how social media was consuming the time I could have used to attend to vital things about my personal growth, including my supposed time to rest and sleep and even bond with my kids, but at some point, I called myself to order before it escalated, and again, I set healthy boundaries; if not, I would have lost focus entirely.

Wrapping up, I would say social media has built me far more than it tried destroying my life, just that I was privileged to draw the line. Life is a choice. If you remain intentional, disciplined, and self-aware with how you use social media, the negative impact wouldn't get to you. The choice is yours.

Image was generated using chatgpt