New Year, New Habits, New You!

I always try to offer ideas for New Year's resolutions.  Usually I offer things you can do.  (See my posts around this time last year and previous years.) This time, I'm offering things you can STOP doing.  Specifically on social media.  Because we are all responsible for what's out there and it's up to all of us to make it be a better place to venture.

So, with that said, here are some things you might want to consider stopping...

1. Stop taking and posting so many solo selfies.
A selfie of you and/or friends at a special event is sharing your adventures, but the solo “look at me for no reason” in bathrooms and cars and whatnot makes you look vain and attention-seeking.

2.  Stop using beautification filters.
Making yourself look like a wax mannequin only highlights your own self-loathing and/or vanity.  You are beautiful just the way you are. 

3. Stop sharing and posting mean stuff.
Even if it’s funny in a schadenfreude/Darwin Award fashion, laughing at someone else’s pain or failure is always, ultimately unkind.  Be better than that.  An editorial cartoon now and again is fine; witty snark has its place.  Just think before you post: “Is it kind?” “Is it true?” “Is it necessary?”  If none of the above, skip it.

4. Stop responding to posts you don’t like/agree with.

Ranting and complaining is unattractive.  Eschew that negativity.  Bad things happen; offensive posts happen. Venting just makes you look immature, whiny and/or reactionary.  And you don’t look good in those colors.

5.  Stop using and sharing those quiz apps.
They are often just data-mining tools and virus pathways.  And you wonder why you get hacked.  Besides, they’re so ubiquitous, we all just end up scrolling past them, anyway.  So, they’re boring…in more ways than one.  Don’t be boring.   Be fabulous!  

7.  Stop sharing anything without researching it to see if it’s true and unbiased.
News, diet claims, etc.  A good Google search or a site like Snopes.com can make your research quick and painless.   If you don’t want to take the time to verify something, that’s fine, but then don’t share it.  Remember the rule in #4: “Is it kind?” “Is it true?” “Is it necessary?”  That applies, here, too. 

So, pick one (or more) of these and make next year just a little bit brighter.  For yourself…and all of us!

May 2019 bring you much joy!