for chat #3, i invited my friend rachel to share a bit about her views on social media. we always tend to talk about the power of social media on mental health, so i thought it would be cool to immortalize her views in words and share them with my audience.
tell me a little bit about yourself (where you’re from, age, etc).
i am 23 years old, originally from new york city, and have been living in los angeles for the past eight years.
what does social media mean to you?
social media is a tool that can be used for various objectives and concepts. in general, i view it as a place of connection between friends, family, and strangers via the internet. it can alternatively be used for businesses, self expression, and news sources.
do you see social media as more positive or negative?
i see it as a negative, because it takes away from time spent outdoors, or enjoying the moment instead of trying to snap the perfect photo. it can also be used as a measure of comparison in terms of clothes, lifestyle, body standards, etc. and can have a mentally toxic effect.
why do you think this is?
i think this is because it showcases a false sense of reality and doesn’t show the inner, daily struggles of life. we only show what we want people to see, because we get to pick and choose the “best” parts of our lives to share. social media was designed for this very purpose--but in doing so, it actually isolates us from one another.
what’s the goal of your social media?
my goal of my social media is to bring people together that have struggled with anything that makes them identify as a survivor--whether that be PTSD, eating disorders, autoimmune, self-help, etc. the goal is to make people feel less alone and understand that there are others like them and that support can be received from anywhere.
what’s your outlet?
my outlet is baking and experimenting with new recipes. i put my favorite podcast on and let myself relax and only think about what's in front of me.