5 Ways to Focus Your Feed | Curating Social Media
If you’re seeing this post, it is very likely that you have a social media account.
Social media has proven to be such a valuable tool (especially during a pandemic) that can be used for more than just entertainment. We can connect to our families, build a career, cultivate relationships, and so much more.
This only works to your benefit if you’re intentional with the way you use it.
Here I’m sharing 5 ways to focus your feed and curate your social media accounts to work in your favor.
What do you actually like?
Your social media accounts are for YOU. The whole point of curating your social media accounts is to tailor it to what you care to see. It’s the reason why you’re on social media in the first place. Just because you’ve known someone for a long time doesn’t mean you have to consume their content. What are things you seek out daily? What are some goals you’re trying to reach? Follow people that inspire and motivate you. Engage with people in your field, businesses you shop at, and experts you can learn from. Use hashtags to your benefit.
Clear out strangers
If you’re scrolling and can’t recognize who is in the picture or who is posting, it might be time to let them go. If you aren’t interested in their content, it’s definitely time to let them go. Just because they follow you and “like” your pictures or videos doesn’t mean you have to do the same. Yes, this is the courteous thing to do, but I believe that “follow for follow” and “like for like” doesn’t have to be the norm if the content isn’t beneficial.
Keep things factual
Due to the mass influx of misinformation in 2020, social media platforms implemented ways to fact check posts. They’ve been pretty good at flagging anything that isn’t factual, but you can’t rely on that alone. If what you’re reading looks too good to be true, it probably is. Simple things like looking for a source, checking for misspelled words, and looking for credentials in the original posters’ bio can help you determine if it’s fact or fiction. Personal opinions and posts made to create emotional triggers will not always be entirely factual. Do a Google search if you aren’t sure.
Use the unfollow, block, and mute buttons as necessary
Participating in social media means you are suddenly connected to millions of people who quite literally say anything that comes to mind. Even when it seems like we’re scrolling mindlessly, we still consume the hate and negativity that ends up on our feeds. Mute words and phrases you aren’t interested in. Unfollow and/or block accounts that aren’t in line with your values, spew hate speech, etc.
Remember that you have a choice in the way you respond. Don’t feel like you’re forced to just ignore it.
Set boundaries
Blocking and muting is a form of setting boundaries, but choosing how to protect yourself is very important. People aren’t always considerate or mindful of others, and it is up to you to create a safe space for yourself. This can mean that you are only friends with family members on Facebook, but not Instagram. Or creating two accounts on a platform for personal use and networking. This could also mean that you limit when you get on social media platforms so you aren’t scrolling during all of your available free time.
You don’t have to use social media less if you don’t want to. Just be intentional.
Decide what you want to consume and don’t feel guilty about it.
