Social media has given us a platform to share each and every moment from our lives. This has definitely made our lives better. But then there are cons as well. Over use of social media has made us addicted to this new space. It has also become a platform to show off and seek validation. Shiksha Mandal actor Gaurav Singh opens up about the world of social media and how it has affected us all.
“I believe like any other novel idea, technology also has two sides to its usage. When used properly and consciously it can turn into a platform to reach out, advertise, share and learn. On the other hand when misused it can turn into a means of self-validation, vanity and all in all an unhelpful tool. I personally see social media as a great means to reach out to my audience and understand market trends so it has never personally felt like a medium for misuse. A much more tenable side to using social media is to see how well your work is accepted, what the audience likes more, to be able to rebrand or brand yourself well, and that’s the side I like to focus on,” he says.
The pressure to post something every day, to try and capture every moment on camera is having a severe impact on our stress levels.
“The world we live in is indeed full of distractions, but sometimes it’s much easier to target social media as the root of it all, rather than taking a deep dive into what truly triggers stress in us. From my personal experience, it has seldom been social media but the demands of my routine and lifestyle shifts that induce stress. Social media, if at all, is often the third or fourth non-linked factor in the series. I’ve often found that working on my overall health and well being prepares me best to tackle the day with a positive outlook. Life in general can get as complicated as one would want to make it and focusing on what you love to do while maintaining a positive outlook can do wonders. To have social media take the brunt of every hiccup that life gives you is not an entirely logical argument. There has to be more to it,” he says.
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Instagram browsing has become a habit. Ask if Gaurav is also one of those who ends up aimlessly scrolling through reels and he replies, “I was recently reading the book Deep Work by Cal Newport. It pinpoints the triggering effect notifications and constant availability over phone can have on the quality of work. I’ve lately started implementing this method of uninterrupted and focused work to produce quality output. But obviously when social media is also a part of your work it is important to draw the line. I firmly believe that my phone is a means to assist me and not something that governs my routine. I am an actor and I certainly use platforms but I remind myself of using them to my benefit without overindulging. It’s an absolute conscious choice. It has greatly benefited me on several occasions. I actively use screen time reminders, and I rarely find myself over indulging by staying mindful.
