how to protect your energy while using social media

Does anyone blog anymore? Does anyone read blogs? Or is the party happening only over on social media? In the 2021 Facebook (Meta) reported losing a million daily active users, either going offline altogether or migrating to different platforms.

My last blog entry was in May 2019, and since then I've put more of my thoughts and shares on Instagram and Facebook. Are you an IG, FB or TicTock user? Tell me, do you love or hate it?

I have a love hate relationship with social media. I'm on it just about everyday, and of course, having a business makes it really appealing to use, it's almost a must at this time.

WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA: Sharing is so quick and easy! I love having the direct connection and communication with followers and friends, with people both locally and from around the planet. And there's so many interesting and creative accounts out there, what a great way to find, connect and follow!

WHAT I DON'T LOVE ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA: Those platforms are literally created in a way so as to make people addicted to their using their sites. The creators have mastered how to use the reward and pleasure system of the body and brain to keep people engaged and scrolling, scrolling, scrolling.... (If you haven't watched it yet, check out The Social Experiment on Netflix)

AND: As an empath and intuitive social media, can be a major energy drain. With billions of voices all talking at once, all wanting to be heard, it can kind of feel like I'm spending time in a huge crowded auditorium, and just wanting to go home or to get out in nature so that I can hear myself think again. So that I can feel my heart, my body, my breath.

Empaths and/or intuitive tend to be sensitive to their environment, and can easily merge with the people or places that we are near. While this "ability" makes for a good intuitive and energy worker, it's extremely important to for us to maintain good physically and emotionally healthy by having good boundaries and having practices that can sustain and maintain a healthy system. Honestly, it took me quite a while actually to understand this is my bones, but I have learned some powerful ways to stay centered and to sustain a healthy energetic system.

Here are some ways to protect your energy while still enjoying the internet and social media:

• Be more selective in the accounts that you follow. Is the account leaving you feel positive and uplifted, or are you feeling drained, triggered, or feel worse about yourself after spending time on it? You can unfollow accounts, or "unfriending" or delete. Some empaths might even feel guilty in doing this, but this is about your energy so you need to do what works best for you.
• Adjust your notification settings - try out the mute, unfollow or snooze for 30 day options. I don't like being bombarded with notifications, so this is a must for me.
• Consider charging your phone in another room.
• I know that many people use their phones as an alarm clock, but if you're having a hard time sleeping, try keeping your phone in another room overnight. Clients have reported to me that this one single step has had a huge impact on their sleep quality. And having good rest is a foundational piece of having a healthy energy system.
• Get out in nature more. This is simple, but powerful. Nature builds your energy reservoir. Connect with the ancient elements of earth, air, fire and water. Let your nervous system attune to the natural organic world around you. And you don't have to be miles away from civilization to connect with nature. Even within the most urban centres, the ground beneath is vast and we can visualize rooting down and connecting to the centre of earth.
  Ground.
  We all have the sky above - even if a glimpse - notice clouds, sunshine, colours of light.
  Plant life is everywhere, even if a small bush or piece of moss, zoom in and lightly meditate for a moment on plant life. Feel into the beauty and colour of this expression of the natural world.
  And air, feel the temperate of the air on your skin, take a deep conscious breath and say to yourself, "I am here now. This is me, here, now." You can even visualize fresh prana or energy filling your lungs with each in-breath, and see a bright bubble of light extending out and around you.
• See yourself energetically disconnected from your phone or devices. You are a separate and free being of love and life. Affirm this for yourself, and repeat as often as you need.
• Or try this Releasing Ritual!
• Some people like to carry with them talismans, rocks or gems that help them to come back to their own energy field. Black tourmaline is an example of a crystal that many people say works well for them as protection. Tiger's Eye is another one. But it can be anything that is meaningful for you - just put your intention into it before use, and then anytime your see or touch it, it will serves as a reminder for you to come back to your center.

I began this post talking about blogging, and then moved to social media. Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below. What are your preferences? Please share some ways that you use to keep your energetic system clear and strong while still enjoying the inter-web!

Wishing you happy and empowered surfing!!

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