We’re at that time where people are starting to reflect on their habits throughout the year and possibly identify what to continue doing or change in the coming year. For those who may be thinking of reducing the time they spend on social media or looking to create more, here are some of the thoughts and observations I have made this year, primarily as a content consumer. Very personal thoughts and opinions, so there’s room to differ.
The results are out. Being a consumer is actually more than just watching …
Not just your attention cuts it – how about your engagement too?
I think for any creator, having people engage with what you’re sharing online is affirming and at least you kind of know there’s someone on the other side. However, I think regular engagement as a consumer is so hard, especially if you’re trying to be mindful.
Is just following someone enough ? I don’t know. People don’t just like watchers.
I’ve also been thinking. For some people their personalities are consistent offline and online. So if they wouldn’t be as interactive in person, they might probably not be in the comments too.
Maybe everyone should create ?
Another thought I’ve had is that consuming content is all fun and games until you actually have no original thought. Where your opinion on something is what someone else already shared.
What ultimately influences you?
What makes me really buy something at the end of the day ? When was I actually influenced to get something? Apart from perfumes, I really don’t know when I was last influenced to get something. I even feel like perfume shouldn’t count cause I’m always sampling every other week and purchasing regularly.
All this to say, I really think influence is found closer to me. Like this person who I know and interact with has said I should try something – chances are I will. But someone else online saying the same thing wouldn’t move me to be honest.
Are you really looking for relatability?
I don’t know…
I think for me where someone loses me is when they can’t have empathy and consideration for someone who isn’t in their or adjacent circumstances.
Influencers ( and expecially those with large following ) have a duty to……….
Should people have expectations that people would use their platforms for certain things like activism etc ?
I don’t think I have strong feelings about that but for me it goes back to the above point on empathy and consideration. From where I sit, I am just put off if people are aloof but I don’t have a higher expectation of a creator online than I would my sister or someone next to me for example to call out femicide. Actually I have a higher expectation of myself and those close to me.
While consuming, I encourage people to..:
Be aware of what’s happening. It’s a lot but don’t get desensitized or see what’s happening around the world as being so far from you. And amplify too! Amplifying can look like resharing or reposting, you don’t to put it on your IG stories for example.
Even as you consume mindfully, there must be room to support your friends and people you know who are putting themselves out there. A like here, a repost there, a comment etc
Refresh your algorithms often – you like what you like – but you could like something else too.
Stay safe online – don’t post on the go or tag locations, ( did you see the TikTok of the woman who drove three hours to find someone who had left a comment on her post ). Nowadays I’m even rethinking tagging people .. maybe I’m overthinking but yeah.
Don’t post kids, don’t take videos of people ( intentionally especially) without consent and post them – change your passwords regularly – don’t click random links – use safer browsers where possible.
Have more than a tiktok or social media post as your reference. Open a book.
Don’t buy into trends just because.
Who needs a new phone every year ? Be for real. An upgrade can wait – especially when it means Congo is suffering.
That’s all I had to say today. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts too.
See you tomorrow for Day 6 !
I wish all influencers would read this. Great POV!
LikeLike