December can be a stressful month, with final exams and projects approaching just as the holiday season is underway. You might find yourself turning to social media for a break, but what you may not realize is that this can actually contribute to your stress levels.
Here’s a story from Jennifer Keene Crouse, Assistant Director of College Based Advising at UMass Lowell and First Gen Conference Committee Member regarding her experience with social media, along with some tips on how to unfollow your way to a more positive mindset.
“My social media had become a toxic spiral. Endless scrolling through negativity, sarcastic memes, and mindless viral videos left me emotionally drained. Nothing I saw was enriching. I felt exhausted and disconnected.
The solution? Intentional curation, not a complete purge.
Start by unfollowing accounts that crush your energy and fuel unnecessary comparisons. Replace them with content that supports your growth. My game plan? Daily motivational quotes from people aligned with my values. One powerful quote can reset your entire mindset.
Use the “saved” feature strategically. Bookmark inspiring posts, career advice, motivational content, personal development tips. Build your own inspiration library to go back to at any time.
Here’s the best part… curating my feed didn’t mean killing the fun. I’ve transformed my algorithm while keeping my sense of humor intact. Still laughing, still sharing memes… just more intentionally.
The secret sauce? Selective following. Mix productivity content with genuine joy. My feed now rotates between professional insights, motivational quotes, and memes that actually make me laugh without deprecation. Now when I catch up with friends, I’m not just sharing random content. I’m sharing videos and insights that could genuinely help them. And it also builds up our connections.
The ultimate goal? Transform your digital space from a mindless scrolling pit to an intentional growth engine. By being selective about what you consume, you’re not just changing an algorithm… you’re rewiring your daily mental input.”
