Is social media a gift or a curse?

Saturday 15th July 2023

Hey fellow fibro warriors,

Today is a tricky day… I am super tired and had to have a nap this afternoon. My arms ache so badly and I just feel so flared up. I don’t know why; I don’t feel like I’ve done anything different and sometimes it just seems so arbitrary why the pain flares up. It sometimes feels like we are all alone on this journery.

However, I have decided to join lots of Facebook fibromyalgia and parenting groups to try and feel less alone. These groups can feel like a gift to those that struggle with chronic illnesses. I have been sharing my blog posts on there too, answering questions, asking questions and generally trying to get involved. I have had some lovely responses back, nice compliments on my blog and podcast, helpful people offering suggestions and it’s helped a little to feel less alone.

The problem is, sometimes social media can become too much! I know when I’m in a flare and feeling down and anxious I’ll reach for my phone and ‘doom scroll’ social media, reading posts that I cannot relate or help in anyway, getting drawn into the problems, scrolling, scrolling, scrolling and so it continues. The curse has gripped me! Some posts are rather negative too, which is absolutely fine and the right thing for people to do as I understand people need an outlet, but when I am already feeling back it can compound it further. Not only that but, as I say, I have been posting to groups recently and the amount of spam comments I’ve had about ‘herbal remedies that can completely cure me’ is irritating to say the least!!!

Now, it’s not only Facebook for me that can become overwhelming but messages, Whatsapp and generally any other icon on my phone. It can sometimes take me a very long time to reply to people because I am trying my best not to use my phone to help me destress or my hands are aching so badly, or I’m too tired to stare at the screen and answer questions. Hopefully, people will understand though that I am not ignoring them, I still care but I just need time to respond back when I feel up to it.

You may just say well why not delete Facebook, then? However, it’s often not that simple. I do love to use social media to post pictures of the adventures I have with my little boy. It’s great to click on the memories icon and see what I was doing with him this time last year or what was happening in our lives 4, 8, 9 years ago. It’s a way to catch up with people I do not get chance to see regularly and it’s fun to do. I have tried deleting it in the past but I miss not putting my pictures up.

Mummy the Fibro Warrior Top Tip:

1. Use social media for good! Join groups, actively participate, share your pictures, create a happy news feed but most importantly know when it is time to put the phone away and take a break.

If there is one takeaway I would like you all to remember today is that you are not alone on this journey and social media can be a gift in that sense to connect us with people who are on a similar journey. However, we have got to know when it is becoming too much and take a step back. Put the phone away, step outside and breathe. I need you to know that you are doing the best you can, your child/children love you and you are Mummy the Fibro Warrior.

Until next time,

x