Disconnect to Reconnect: Reasons Social Media Detox Is Good For You

Social media has allowed us to keep connected with people in our circle during quarantine. We see them post their home offices, what keeps them sane during the quarantine, the latest Tiktok trend they are dancing to, and their successful attempt of making dalgona coffee.

However, social media can be stressful, and being cooped up at home can exacerbate the situation. Our news feeds tend to become overrun with negativity. Can’t we just chill together online and maybe watch some funny or inspiring videos?

Planning to do a social media detox? Here are reasons why we should:

1.) We get to protect our information

Privacy is important. A social media detox allows us to be more in control of the information we share! Too much shared information can harm us!

2.) We get to avoid FOMO and stop comparing

FOMO means Fear Of Missing Out. We may think that good things only happen to other people. This could make us feel insecure about ourselves with our heads filled with whys. Let us shift our focus on the aspects that make us awesome.

3.) We get to improve our mental health

According to studies, being exposed to social media increases the likelihood of experiencing mental health problems such as sadness and anxiety. Unplugging for a moment may help improve our moods and clear our minds.

4.) We get to have more time for meaningful things

Being online 24/7 may make us feel we lack time. Reclaim lost time by doing some exercise, strengthening our artistic abilities, reading a book, writing poems, and so on.

Back in 2011, I went on a social media cleanse and found how much it changed my life! It taught me how to manage my reliance on technology and to make the most out of my 24 hours.

Want to live a life ignited? Subscribe to my blog and let’s make it happen!

Prep To Pep Yourself Up For Public Speaking

It was my first week in the training academy, and my boss told me that our lead called sick. I needed to co-train with him a bunch of managers who flew in from all over the world. I breezed through the trainers guide, and couldn’t imagine myself pulling it off. That was my first time to deliver a leadership training session in an airline in the Middle East with more than a hundred different nationalities in its workforce.

Now, people see me confident, and chill when I speak infront of the cam when I host live webcasts. Little they know that I actually have Glossophobia or fear of public speaking.

How do I manage?

Here are some tips based on what I do to psyche myself up before an event.

• I own my space.

A good speaker knows what they are talking about, and can answer questions thrown at them. Study your topic well.

• I get my talk points organized in my head.

Write your script even if you won’t get to read it. Keep it short but enough to cover the essentials. Make sure you have good stories as proof of concept.

• Practice. Practice. Practice.

Enlist the help of your close circles. Let them be your audience first then listen to their feedback about your strengths and weaknesses. If not, take a video of yourself speaking, and critique yourself — facial expression, you uhms and aahs, clarity of your message...

Here’s a bonus! Before the event, do some breathwork, and self-affirmations. (Check out the 4-7-8 Breathing Technique in YouTube) Instead of trying to calm yourself down, tell yourself that you are excited. As the saying goes, “fake it till you make it."

With these tips, you are ready to go on with your presentation, talk, hosting or what have you! Don’t forget to treat yourself after a job well done!

Want to know how to overcome your limiting beliefs, and live a life ignited? Subscribe to my blog now!

My last batch of leadership training from our partner airline, before leaving the academy.

Beyond Sentimental: Why Is It Nice to Capture Memories?

Have you ever logged into your Facebook account and the first thing you see is something you posted years ago? Did it make you smile or cringe?

I love Facebook memories! I would always click and scroll the rest of the photos of the years that passed. It's like a documentary of my life journey.

Thanks to technology, taking videos and photos became more and more accessible. We can effortlessly capture and share priceless moments with our loved ones. It is also a good conversation topic, especially during reunions!

Thanks to social media, we get to update our circles quickly about our musings, and what sparks us joy at the moment. Every victory is celebrated despite the distance.

We also get to witness how much people change throughout the years. I’d look back at the younger photos of my son, Mikey, and be proud of how he had grown into a fine young man. I'd even browse through old pictures of myself! My mind would drift back to the days when I could eat whatever I wanted, without adding inches around my waist. Just kidding!

Our posts in social media serve as windows through which we can observe how we develop as a person in all aspects of our lives. For example, we know people who take photos of their weight loss journey. That is why I always advise people who embark on transformational programs to document their progress by taking snapshots of their wins. It also enables them to assess their strengths and flaws.

Capturing memories is people’s way of stopping time. It is the mark of our existence. The proof that shows we are here.

Now, look at your old photos then your most recent ones. Can you see how far you have become as a person?

Subscribe to my blog and let’s spark a life ignited.