Social Media

Guesy_839 · ‎13-11-2018

I thought I'd never use this account again, but here I am.

This is mainly an anxiety thing, but it's been bugging me recently because I know it's going to happen someday.

I've never done anything stupid on social media, but I'm paranoid it's going to bite me back. I don't know, I've had multiple accounts on sites, and I'm scared someone will find out stuff.

What I'm most scared for is that people are going to criticise me in job interviews based on my social media. If you search up my name, a couple photos of stuff I've liked (Pictures of nature and stuff like that). I'm just scared it'll bite me back, and I've been super jumpy over it.

What do I do?

Sierra (PS: It's more sites like tumblr and that, not like instagram and Snapchat)

smallwolf · ‎13-11-2018

Sierra,

Welcome back.

I can understand why you might be concerned about what you put onto social media. There is a thing called "social media anxiety".

But if your concerns are only about your posts...

If you only put onto social media things you might say in public then you should be safe. ie Some things said in private to your closest friends might not be the best. So if you cannot say it, don't post it.

A lot of people also do not have social media accounts. So if you really were concerned, you could also delete those accounts?

Tim

Croix · ‎13-11-2018

Dear Sierra~

Welcome back. If I remember you has problems with school and other photos and also your current identity. On the plus side though you had found a school councilor you got on well with - is that still the case.

I honestly don't know if there is a problem with your choice of images, or if it is anxiety influencing you, which is something that happens to me a fair bit. I very much tend to see all the nasty alternatives. I'm lucky in that I have a sensible partner who tells me when I'm reacting too much. You mentioned a best friend, is this something you can talk over?

Anyway these images are causing you to worry, you can of course delete you whole Tumblr account, which I believe gets rid of primary and secondary streams of blogs, and the name you used goes back in the pool for use by another.

Doing this is a pretty drastic sort of action. Could you sit down with a friend and go though the stuff that worries you and get another opinion?

Croix

Guesy_839 · ‎14-11-2018

Hi Croix

Yes, I still get on well with my school counselor, and I still see her weekly. On the more related site, I never actually posted images that weren't my art (That was like patterns, and lava lamps. Also an edgy looking bush.) It's more just stuff I "liked". It's nothing really that bad, but I'm still anxious, it made me jittery.

You gave me an idea, I might sit down with my best friend, and just think things over. I've had a screwed up week, so I might just give him a call, and mention it.

Thanks, Sierra

Croix · ‎14-11-2018

Dear Sierra~

Being anxious and jittery is something I understand.

I'm very glad you still have that sensible councilor. It does make a difference to have someone like that to visit each week.

I also think you are pretty sensible if you can go over things with you friend.

Maybe you are like me. My psych tells me that when I find the very worst possibility and spend my time agonizing over it the name for that is 'catastrophizing', a symptom of my anxiety condition.

The trouble is the thoughts seem quite logical and sensible to me and it takes someone I respect and trust to lead me out of that state and give me a better sense of perspective -to be more realistic.

Please let us know how you go

Croix

Guesy_839 · ‎20-11-2018

Hi guys

I think the social media thing has worn off with time. I set my account to private, so when my profile comes up, it comes up with "Sign in to see Sierra's stuff". That's fine with me. I had a horrible week (This week is okay), and I talked to my counselor a bit, and my friend.

But the thing with me is that I worry about super obscure stuff no one knows the answer to. So once one thing goes away temporarily, another thing comes back (This might explain why I went to the forums in the first place, because no one knew what I was talking about). Sometimes I don't know what I talk about half the time.

Sierra

Croix · ‎20-11-2018

Dear Sierra~

Thanks for letting us know what happened, I'm very glad you have sorted out the social media problem in such a simple way and also that you were able to talk to the councilor and your friend - did you find they helped?

I guess I understand what you mean when you say you worry about super obscure stuff. I sometimes think my mind is determined to do some worrying, and then simply picks on something as a subject, unpredictable and no real reason why.

That kind of makes it hard to come up with solutions, or even explain it all so others understand. Still I found my best way out was trying to get to the bottom of it all -the anxiety condition itself. As my stress levels improved my anxiety became less.

The sorts of things I do are exercise (when I can), eating sensibly, getting as good a night's rest as possible and trying to avoid things I know are going to make me tense up and stress. That means some people, some situations, and even sometimes things like the news. You can't get rid of everything of course, but even a bit less counts.

I also have this idea that if I have something to do each day I enjoy, and it is the sort of thing htat takes my mind away from the hassles of life then that helps a lot. I use books, movies and pets (their names are Sumo Cat and Nasty Cat). Sumo is the relaxed laid back cat, Nasty is, well ... nasty.

All this gives me something to look forward to each day.

If you wanted to you could see how others have coped, and the tips they use, it is at:

Forums / Anxiety / SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING ANXIETY

A bit long, but I've learned heaps.

Croix

Barbie2005 · ‎28-12-2018

Hello!

This is just an idea, but have you considered leaving social media? I know that’s not the easiest thing: I’ve tried but came back after 2days. Or perhaps make you accounts private (if you can)? Then you can accept people who you think will be OK?

I get scared about this stuff too - It’s been almost 2 years and nothing has really negative has happened irl. I did find someone, though, who lives near by and we plan on meeting some day. (I know this is risky with most people; but it turns out our parents used to be friends!)

Barbie2005