Simplicity & Social Media: Finding balance in the digital age

How to find balance and simplicity in the age of social media.

If this week showed me anything, it is that in this modern world of social media we still find it difficult to regulate our feelings and emotions surrounding modern technologies. Whether it is a new app, diving into artificial intelligence, social media site or even our phones, we are in a constant push-pull state over what works for us. And I am here to tell you that is is normal.

Social media has irrevocably altered the way we communicate, connect, and share content globally. It has provided us with new ways to engage with others, create friendships and community we maybe don’t have offline, and has helped businesses with new avenues to engage their customers and amplify their messages. In the years during and following a global pandemic, where we lost our physical villages more than ever, social media provided a place where we could connect when the outside world was so isolated.

Social media can sometimes get a bad rap, sometimes rightly so and sometimes wrongly so - I feel with anything you can’t make sure wide, blanket, sweeping statements and really cover the entire truth. But one thing I do know for sure, in the frenetic quest to maintain an omnipresence across all platforms so many people are facing the risk of social media burnout. Are we losing the art of simplicity in the race to show up everywhere?

Every app or website is vying for our attention and FOMO (fear of missing out) can sometimes have us caught in this race, needing to be on every platform, diluting ourselves even further and ultimately achieving nothing. We, as individuals, are not social media managers for ourselves, we aren’t part of a huge team and we have to taken on the burden of that ourselves.

The announcement of Mark Zuckerberg’s new Meta offering, Threads, on Thursday sent social media into a tailspin and I, as a former social media manager turned simple living advocate, found it fascinating to watch. That dopamine hit is real, and I observed some people rolling into threads fully excited to have what appeared to be an old school Twitter-type place and others point blank refusing to be a part of it. Neither is right or wrong, but it does open up the question about how we can combine simple living and social media to ensure we don’t burn out.

And I want to start with this: It’s ok to not show up everywhere.

This is a tactic I have employed for many years and let me tell you this, even as a business owner and not necessarily just a casual user, this is still ok.

I don’t use Facebook, I don’t have Tik Tok, Youtube is never opened, I don’t really use Twitter other than for a very specific subject area, the building safety crisis & cladding, and even that is sporadic at best. Oh, and Pinterest isn’t social media. If I’ve missed anything, other than Instagram, then you can guarantee I am not there either. It comes down to the simple fact that I show up where I feel good, for me that’s Instagram and I don’t deviate from that. With the announcement of Threads my first thought wasn’t “Oh no, not another social media platform” and instead I was mildly curious. Twitter was my original social media of choice back in the day, before it became the cesspit it is today and it’s even the place I first met my husband back in early 2012. The idea of an old school Twitter like platform, where all my Instagram buddies are, a place where real, nitty-gritty conversations can take place does mildly excite me. Although I am curious whether it can maintain this vibe is yet to be seen, but I am curious enough to check it out, even if it is just for the nostalgia vibe.

But I think I feel this way because I am not already spread thin and I am not overwhelmed with social media. I apply the same simplicity to social media as I do to living simply in the rest of my life. So if you’re curious on how you can maintain a better balance with social media in general, I’ve put together a few of tips so you can ditch the FOMO (Fear of missing out) and embrace the JOMO (Joy of missing out) instead (pssst! You can also check out my podcast on JOMO here)

Let's delve into why simplicity is vital and why you don't need to show up everywhere on social media.

Understanding Social Media and Simplicity

In this digital age, being simple is a virtue. Simplicity, in the context of social media, means focusing on quality over quantity. It involves engaging with your audience on one (or maybe a couple of) platforms, and being authentic there rather than spreading your efforts too thinly across multiple networks. Simplicity leads to a streamlined approach, allowing you to focus on you, who you are first and foremost, and to be able to connect more profoundly with your social media friends.

Why You Don’t Need to Show Up Everywhere

I don’t know about you, but life is busy enough even when you’re trying to live as simply as possible. The last thing I need is more things on my to do list and in fact, unless you’re a brand why are we even feeling compelled to show up anyway? I just took a couple of weeks off of Instagram because I (1) Enjoy the break and (2) had other things to be getting on with.

I am not coming from this as a brand stand point but, as a business you can still follow these tips and don’t buy into the idea that you need to spread yourself so thinly. Whether you’re an individual or a business, here are some ways you can still slow down and embrace simplicity while on social media.

Quality over Quantity

In the pursuit of simplicity, it's important to focus on the mantra of quality over quantity, especially on social media. Instead of chasing a large number of followers, likes, or constantly posting content, strive for meaningful engagement and high-quality content that truly resonates with your audience. This could mean following fewer accounts but ones that truly inspire you or bring you joy. It could also mean creating less content, but ensuring what you do create offers real value or impact. In this way, your social media experience becomes less cluttered and more enriching, reducing digital noise and stress. The goal is to have a more intentional and meaningful digital footprint that aligns with your real-life values and contributes positively to your mental well-being.

Avoiding Burnout

Living simply also means preventing social media burnout, a form of exhaustion often characterised by a loss of interest in and motivation for social media activities. Social media is designed to keep you hooked, to keep you on the platform, but sometimes we can’t easily draw the line. This can be better accomplished by setting clear boundaries around your social media usage. Consider scheduling specific times during the day for checking and responding to social media, and resist the urge to constantly refresh your feeds. Periodic digital detoxes—where you step away from all digital devices for a day or more—can also be beneficial. This allows time for engaging in offline activities, which can re-energise and refocus your mind. Lastly, tuning into your emotional responses to social media is key—if you find that your time online is causing undue stress, anxiety, or comparison with others, it might be time to reassess and redefine your digital habits. The essence of simplicity in this context is not only about minimising social media use, but making sure it serves a positive and purposeful role in your life.

In an era where digital noise is rampant, simplicity can be a superpower. A thoughtful, focused approach to your social media can bring you much joy, more meaningful relationships with your social media friends as well as giving you the time and space to embrace a simple life too. Remember, the goal isn't to be everywhere; it's to be where it matters most to you. Let this be your permission slip for doing only the things that bring you joy.