Addiction is a nasty word. Synonyms include dependency, craving, or habit. No one wants to admit a true addiction. It feels like an expression of weakness.
And yet everyone struggles with some kind of addiction. We might not all struggle with the ones we always think of like alcoholism, or drug use, but we struggle with something that we just can't seem to say no to or stop doing. I started thinking about this about a year ago and realized that with the technological advances we have made and the shifts in lifestyles these advances create, there are new addictions we haven't even acknowledged really.
Social Media
This one concept has changed how we communicate with others in so many ways and in such a short period of time. I don't think we even know the true and grander impact social media will have upon society for a very long time. But there are some things we have begun to notice. Social media, while meant to make us more "social", is actually very alienating for many. It keeps people thinking they are interacting with others when in reality, they are missing so much of what face to face interaction does for our mental and physical health. (Covid 19 put a spotlight on this one!) It is also to dehumanize people on these platforms. Between "bots" and no true personal interaction with the person, you may feel little comfortable being a little uglier in a comment than you would to someone's face. It can be easy to get really rude or just plain mean behind a keyboard, because hey- they don't know you.
But you don't know them either. And you may not be thinking how your words can impact someone. But we know they can- how many stories of suicide because of social media pressure do we have to hear before we acknowledge that social media can be extremely harmful.
Yet, social media is addicting. We find validation, entertainment, and information all at our fingertips. We have had to add apps to restrict our time on these platforms because once you go down a rabbit hole, you could be there for hours. Being aware of how much time you spend on social media and limiting yourself not only breaks the habit of constant phone access, but also helps build self-discipline.
One Up Manship
"Oh yeah? Watch this!"
How often do we try to one up another with how great we are? Tied to social media, this addiction for attention has been growing a lot. The whole idea that I can do better, do greater than you has taken on a life of its own, especially with the video to prove it. The root cause though is this need for attention. And attention is really about a need to be loved. Where may you not feel loved if you have this driving need to one up everybody? You need to have an honest conversation with your closest people. They just might not know how you need love communicated. Do you need to hear people tell you that, do you need small actions that show thoughtfulness? Let someone know so you can begin to walk away from this unhealthy type of competition.
Do. All. The. Things.
Another addiction tied to not only social media, but the internet and other media we get thrown at us daily is this need to do all the things. We see a beautiful living room and feel inadequate that we haven't vacuumed in weeks and junk is just lying around the floor because you haven't felt like dealing with it. Feelings on inadequacies can bring this desire of doing all the things to the forefront. If I do everything and do it perfectly, then I am perfect and don't need help with anything. The greatest problem with this thinking is that no one is perfect. A picture doesn't show you behind the scenes. We have to come to grips with the fact that we as individuals have imperfections and that's ok. We can improve upon them, but we are all screw ups. And just knowing that can take the pressure off. You don't have to do all the things to be seen as "good enough". You're important and special just because you are you.
Wrap it Up
Any additiction needs to be analyzed for the why. Why do you have that addiction? What need is not being met? How can you fulfill these needs in healthy ways? Do you need to do some deeper soul searching? Addictions cannot be overcome by ignoring them or just thinking you're stronger than the habit. If you don't break it down to find the reason behind it, you will be haunted by it until the true need is filled. This is obviously not an exhaustive list and not all addictions are tied to technology so just because these might not apply to you, doesn't mean you're in the clear. I am not asking you to admit your addictions to others, just to yourself. It's a start. Everyone struggles. Only those who admit it can overcome.
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