Social media, like just about everything, can be a blessing or a curse. It’s usually both. It’s a #lovehaterelationship, right?

When we log on, we see a picture of true beauty, like someone’s adorable daughter jumping in the swimming pool with floaties for the first time, and we are so glad that she shared it.

Then we scroll down, and it’s ten straight posts of people sharing and oversharing about the most annoying things.

But what can you do about it?

First, you can unplug for a while. Take a digital sabbath. Just let go for a day or three. Turn off the notifications on your phone.

Second, you can limit yourself. Only check social media at a certain time or place, like after work on the couch or after dinner on the porch. Make it a ten minute treat, instead of an all day distraction. You might need to delete some apps from your phone or turn off the notifications.

Third, you can reduce your social media platforms and reduce your connections. Pare it down to a simpler, smaller network. Some experts say that a person can only have about 150 real relationships, so maybe your list of followers and friends online should be smaller. My rule is that my social connections online are all people who I would talk to if I ran into them at the grocery store.

Fourth, practice the golden rule: do to others online what you want done to you. Try not to be “that guy” who posts annoying things. Ask yourself if you would want to receive this sort of thing from others. This means you should post far less than you want to post.

Fifth, discuss it with your family and friends. Talk about what you like and don’t like about social media. Ask for their suggestions about how to use it well. You may be surprised at how much they know, and they may learn a thing or two from you.

Social media can be useful and enjoyable, not a constant source of annoyance.

If you have any suggestions, I would love to get your comments below, since my ideas in this post merely scratch the surface.

Here’s an example:

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