In real life, we understand (most of the time) toxic relationships and their effect on our mental health. The same should be applied to our online world.
The Internet is not going away. It's a permanent fixture in our modern lives. We can choose the experience we have in this world. We can choose the people and businesses that add benefit and positively influence our lives, people, companies, or organizations that support our growth and emotional well being.
Why not start with your Instagram feed? Here are a few of my favorites:
@brenebrown
In Brené’s own words, “I’m a research professor at the University of Houston where I hold the Huffington – Brené Brown Endowed Chair. I’ve spent the past two decades studying courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy. I’m the author of five #1 New York Times bestsellers: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and Dare to Lead. My most recent book was released in October 2018 and is the culmination of a seven-year study on the future of leadership”
I was introduced to Brené by my mentor Anita Muller in 2014; quite simply, her research and TED Talks about vulnerability changed my understanding of leadership and communication. She is an accomplished writer with 9 titles to her name and a 2019 Netflix special “The Call to Courage”--which is a MUST watch. She is who I look to for inspiration and understanding.
Quite simply, I cannot stress how important getting to know Brené’s work has been for me professionally and personally... Check her out now!
@lizzobeeating
If you don’t already know Lizzo, real name Melissa Jefferson, she is the IT girl of the modern music industry. As well as a self-love and acceptance queen.
Lizzo is a classically trained flutist and has notably performed flute solos in several performances. She is a singer, songwriter, rapper, actress, and self-love advocate. Lizzo is 100% that bitch. She is lifting up a community of people without labels and urging us to take care of us.
“I didn’t love who I was. And the reason I didn’t love who I was is because I was told I wasn’t lovable by the media, by [people at] school, by not seeing myself in beauty ads, by not seeing myself in television… by lack of representation,” she said of the ever-present issue of the lack of inclusivity in the media. “My self-hatred got so bad that I was fantasizing about being other people. But you can’t live your life trying to be someone else.”
Thank goodness she realized that because we wouldn’t want her to be anyone but the authentic woman we know and love. Still, it’s a journey: Embracing self-love doesn’t mean she feels good as hell all of the time.
All hail Queen Lizzo!