Many of my clients have been talking to me as of late , about relevant political arguments unfolding in the world and the impact on their personal mental health . One of the things I hear time and time again is how people so easily get their ire up over spats on social media, and will engage in all- out fights , over multiple platforms on social media . This could be with friends , family , and neighbors , as well as with the anonymous multitudes that post provocations .
This seems like such a colossal waste of time , for so many reasons . Firstly , not much can be accomplished in the back and forth of the “digital world”. There seems to be no shortage of the endless taunting of either side of the political spectrum, which each side hurling insults at the other , but what does it actually accomplish ?
Secondly, so much of what you really mean to say cannot be encapsulated into 200 words or less, especially online, because it lacks things essential to human communication such as eye contact, facial expression, and inflection of voice. Without facial expression to accompany these interactions, it’s difficult, if not impossible, to interpret where someone is coming from on any particular issue . Because of the immediacy of social media, posts go up constantly , and thus, fights escalate quickly . People tend to personalize that which was just meant to be an opinion . Add in some anonymity , and an environment where people feel free to say whatever they please, and anger swells like boiling water in a tea kettle .
So if you really want to make an impact, a difference, and not just a dent , or add to the general aggravation in society, Get out there , get involved, stop complaining online, and do something in real time . Put a face and a name behind your cause, whatever that may be . After this year’s election, a record number of Americans signed up to volunteer on local boards, and run for local political office. If you are unhappy about the way something is being run, get involved in local community politics by serving on a committee, running for local office or joining an organization . The world needs more action, not just posts that include opinion.
So before you pound out that next angry rant online , attacking back , at something you don’t like, or particularly agree with , Take a step back, and ask yourself if it’s really worth losing the current status of your relationship over . If this is a relative ,friend ,neighbor, or unknown, is it even worth raising your blood pressure over ? Am I saying not to express yourself . certainly not ! But when did it become acceptable to” squash” another person ‘s opinion with your own ?
