Hello fellow human design nerds!
This is a post I’ve been percolating on for a while, but after an accidental Facebook sabbatical where I wrote an entire book, I thought it was finally time. Now, I’m not suggesting that quitting social media will lead to previously unfathomably levels of creative flow and productivity, and I was still on Instagram, but it was an interesting experiment and gave me even more to chew on for this post.
These are some thoughts and insights from my own, lived experience of my open centers (the ones that are white in your design), and that has been shared with me by clients, friends, and folks on social media (the irony!). This is only the tip of the iceberg, but might give you something to chew on if you, like me, feel out of control in your relationship to social media.
Thoughts on social media addiction and open centers (Part 1)
This post is about how we consume social media. Also working on one about how we create and share on social media, and the addictions and compulsions related to that process and our open centers. That will be Part 2. Stay tuned.
Here. We. Go.
Head
It is just so inspiring! But the balance between inspiration and distraction is a fine, fine, complicated line. When you have an open head center, it can be hard to filter out what is and isn’t important or relevant. Remember that there is far more content on social than you’ll ever be able to consume. It’s okay to miss things, and it’s okay not to be immediately informed about everything.
Mind
Trying to figure out who is right. Social is full of so many voices and so much noise. The open mind can lead us down the rabbit hole of opinions and drama really fast. With an open mind, you’re meant to see lots of perspectives and consider them all, without the need for certainty. You don’t have to read every comment, but sometimes it can feel like you do.
Throat
Pressure to engage. The open throat doesn’t always have something to add in every single moment, but social media can sure make it feel like you’re supposed to. “Like, comment, share.” Commenting and engaging can also feel super validating when people resonate with what you said.
Identity
Constantly seeking self. Seeing yourself and your values reflected in others can be a super cozy, validating, and wonderful experience for anyone, but particularly open identity folx. But are you comparing yourself to the perceived (or performed) consistencies of others?
Heart
Validation station! Social media is a validation machine, and addiction to validation is one of the biggest challenges of the open heart. And yes, this relates to consumption of social media, not just what you’re posting. Seeing your beliefs and values mirrored back to you is validation, and it’s a kind of validation I am HERE FOR. Just be cautious about over-reliance on any external validation, particularly one with so many filters.
Extra note on the open heart, because I’m super passionate about this one: I truly believe that open heart folx (and all of us) need validation. This whole self-worth can only really come from the inside feels icky and way too settler-colonialist boot-straps bullshit to me. Validation is great. Discernment about where and when and how you seek validation is even better. You can’t always control what opinions you see and hear, but you can control which you integrate.
Sacral
Scrolling addiction. Those of us with an open/undefined sacral (this is you if you’re a Reflector, Projector, or Manifestor) can have a hard time knowing when enough is enough. Social media is designed to keep us engaged, keep us scrolling, clicking, and curious. It can be especially hard to have soft boundaries with social when you’re an open sacral (particularly if you also have an open heart). App limits and harder boundaries can sometimes help here.
Solar Plexus
Other people’s emotional waves can be fun! Being open to the emotional waves of others isn’t all bad, in fact, it can be suuuuuper fun. Just beware if you’re getting addicted to the drama of others. That empathy that makes you such an emotional intelligence badass can also send you spinning when you over-engage with the emotional shit-storm that is social media. It can also start to feel like your emotions aren’t enough when you disengage. The big waves can be addicting, remember the beauty of the ripples.
Spleen
Feeling and processing the pain and anxiety of others. Open spleen folx, y’all are highly intuitive, and your intuition often relates to others. You can take on the fears of anxieties of those around you and actually make things better for them. But it’s important to remember that fixing and healing doesn’t have to be your default setting for everyone. In fact, you could burn out fast if you are constantly holding spaces for everyone. Remember that access to your wisdom is a privilege.
Root
The pressure! Social media can be a great motivator. The root center is our other pressure center, and this is the adrenalized, get shit done, hit that deadline kind of pressure. However, while that pressure can be super inspiring for a defined root person, an open root person can easily get pushed into panic mode by the immediacy and insistence of social media. It’s healthy to ask yourself “Is this really my pressure? Is this really my priority?”
Whew. That was a long one, and it only scratched the surface. I know so many of us are wresting with our relationships to our devices and how they facilitate and complicate our relationships with our people, our creativity, and our purpose. I wish us all continued curiosity and fortitude as we explore.
Part 2 on how we CREATE on social media from our open centers is forthcoming. And who knows? Maybe a part 3 that discusses the wisdom and genius of our open centers in relation to social media. Though maybe not. Might not be there yet on my own social journey. As always, would love to hear from you if any of this helped something click. ✨
Yes yes yes! My open Head, Identity, and Solar Plexus totally identify with what you've written here!