Life & Lifestyle
By Jessica T. Anderson
Updated: August 11, 2023
Originally Published: August 11, 2023
I genuinely appreciate people. I’m the friendly person who strikes up conversations in waiting rooms, grocery store lines, and any place where strangers have the chance to connect. If you happen to have a name tag, even better! I’ll use your name, and I’m confident that after our encounter, you’ll be smiling for the rest of your day. My career in public service has been built around helping individuals by interacting with them daily.
I loved people — all kinds of them: young, old, grumpy, shy, liberal, conservative — it didn’t matter. I believed in meeting everyone with mutual respect, embracing the idea that we’re all navigating this journey called life together. The golden rule was my compass: treat others as you wish to be treated and let’s make the most of our time on this planet.
Then social media arrived.
While it brought many conveniences — like ordering groceries from my phone — it also introduced an unsettling lexicon: rant, viral, trolls, haters, vague-booking, and many others. In my youth, trolls were just mythical creatures, stalkers were real-life threats, and the term “hater” was rarely used in my daily interactions. But now, just a few minutes on social media can leave me exclaiming, “I dislike people!” I find myself frustrated by their lack of decency, self-awareness, and basic communication skills. What has happened to us?
What has happened to the civil discourse and mutual respect I once cherished? How did a once-optimistic individual like me transform into someone who often feels disdain for humanity? As a mother navigating the complexities of modern motherhood, I already juggle numerous responsibilities. I never expected to carry the weight of animosity towards others; it’s exhausting. I have enough on my plate without adding this burden of negativity.
So, what’s the solution? Should we all retreat from social media to avoid encounters with negativity? Or can we consciously choose to embrace love for our fellow humans, flaws and all? For me, the answer is clear: I choose love.
Will it be easy? Certainly not. But will it be worthwhile? Absolutely.
It starts with consciously deciding to “just keep scrolling” when faced with provocative posts that trigger negativity. I must remind myself that everyone is grappling with challenges I can’t fully grasp; by harboring resentment, I only add to their struggles and mine. Instead, I can approach others with grace and empathy, lightening both our loads.
Engaging more with my local community can also help. A friendly smile to the mother at the park or a kind word to the overworked waitress can make a difference. I plan to replace negative thoughts about “all people being awful” with positive affirmations like “everyone deserves love.”
Imagine if we all adopted this approach in our daily lives — both online and offline. Wouldn’t our world be a better place? I believe it would, and my hair would certainly appreciate the break from the stress.
Let’s choose love, forgive those who provoke our frustration, and spread joy across the digital landscape. We will all benefit from a more compassionate approach.
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In summary, social media can often foster negativity, but we have the power to choose love and understanding instead. By engaging positively with our surroundings and consciously directing our thoughts, we can create a more harmonious community for ourselves and others.