Jonesin’ for Likes: Staying Sane on the Internet

Health & Wellness

Wit and Delight

Cell phones are not exactly allowed in our bedroom anymore. Since The Problem came to a head in late November, I’ve earned my probation for good behavior. Yet everyday, I’m tiptoeing on very thin ice, and I haven’t quite gotten my footing. The Problem, you may guess, is that I have a wild, lustful, and boundary-less relationship with my iPhone. The device that enhanced my life suddenly became my entertainment, my network, my line of business, my world. Like any obsession, the love affair wasn’t heading for a happy ending. It was a one-way ticket to Crazytown.

Incredible products are most often conceived out of a need, a purpose. But these products really take hold when our basic human instincts are brought into the equation. Today, behind almost any social start-up, there’s a PhD in Behavioral Psychology, building in functionalities that play into the way we’re wired. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter– they all tap into our most non-cognitive behaviors, each “like” delivering a shot of serotonin straight to our pleasure sensors. It’s not our fault it feels good. It’s the reason we continue to search for love, and why we really enjoy having sex- it’s a chemical essential to survival. Everyone loves to feel liked. The feeling is real, because the chemical reaction in your brain is very real.

For someone who’s trying to discover who they truly are (hello, my teens and 20s), downing a cocktail of serotonin mixed with affirmation can, like most things that feel good, be a good and a bad thing. It can lead to new relationships with like-minded people, and opportunities to grow your business. But it also becomes very easy to lean heavily on this sense of affirmation from strangers, especially when things go wrong with your boyfriend, spouse, or work. It’s an escape from reality that feels very, very real.

After talking to friends about my experience, I found I wasn’t alone. It doesn’t matter if your following is 50 or 10 million, having a solid understanding of your values, a network of people who you can trust, and a life outside the digital world is essential in finding happiness and peace within yourself. Smart people do not bite the hand that feeds them. They figure out how to gain the upper hand.

So, in short, here are a couple tips I’ve learned to keep myself sane on the Internet:

1. Lower your expectations for others, and raise them for yourself.
2. No phones in the bedroom. Don’t start or end your day looking at what other people are doing.
3. Finish your morning routine before checking your feeds.
4. Put your phone away when you’re with friends. Focus on being in the moment, with them.
5. If you’re feeling discouraged, share something valuable and authentic. You’ll begin to make meaningful relationships online.
6. Remove toxic people from your feeds. It’s good practice in the real world, and good sense online.
7. Stop comparing your life to others. I promise you, their life is not what their Instagram feed portrays.
8. You’re more transparent than you think. Self-promotion is pretty easy to spot these days.
9. Practice kindness. If you don’t have something nice to say, keep it to yourself.

And lastly…

10. Your following doesn’t define you.

BY Kate Arends - May 8, 2014

72 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
May 8, 2014 11:59 am

No. 5—yes!!

A good reminder, especially in this day-and-age, when you feel defined by the equation of what you’re pursuing + what others are doing.

May 8, 2014 12:24 pm

Yes, yes, yes, yes, YES! All things my husband and I strive to live by. We are both artists, and when you work in the creative fiend it can be tough not to fall into those comparison games. But comparison only stops you from creating your best, true work…

May 8, 2014 12:49 pm

I love the no phones in the bedroom bit. Such a great idea.

May 8, 2014 1:49 pm

So true and such a good reminder! My husband and I were just talking last night about banning iPhones and iPads from the bedroom. Thanks for reminding me that I’m not alone and that I’m not crazy for wanting to learn how to limit technologies place in my life. 🙂 Keep keepin it real, lady. *Sidenote: I adore your workspace – I grew up in Apple Valley and so Minneapolis/MN is near and dear to my heart (I moved away in 2008) The COMN just looks so inspiring. And I’m also well acquainted with Red Wing since my brother and… Read more »

May 8, 2014 1:50 pm

Oh my gosh, Kate! Thank you thank you thank you. As bloggers, we all want to reach people, connect with others, but some people who have “made it big” just by starting their blog need to remember that last one. All of your tips are ao wonderful, and I will be trying to follow them to see how things go. I have a routine check before I go to bed, and seem to do it as soon as I wake up…even before my first cup of coffee. I want to unplug, but also stay connected and your tips really allow… Read more »

May 8, 2014 2:21 pm

Well said.

May 8, 2014 2:35 pm

This is great advice…and it’s true, we’re all guilty of craving the likes. I need to keep my phone out of the bedroom too! 😉

May 8, 2014 2:55 pm

BEAUTIFUL advice, Kate. I’m sending this to all the girls I know and love, especially the young ones who have their world at their fingertips but way too many temptations to not trust their own flawed but beautiful journey.

L McLean
May 8, 2014 3:58 pm

~ Spot On ~ everything in moderation ! Apparently having cellphones, laptops etc in bedroom or on person at ‘ all ‘ times is unhealthy ‘ physically too ‘ unsure if science is correct, yet best to stay on the side of caution ! ; ) ps: I saw a recent vid: SO worth the watch for ‘ everyone ‘ , YouTube, Gary Turk: Look Up

Colleen
May 8, 2014 4:44 pm

I’m giving you the slow clap for this one.

May 8, 2014 5:45 pm

So very true and so well said.

Kelly
May 8, 2014 6:47 pm

I couldn’t agree more, and this is something that I need to practice and remind myself of OFTEN. A few years back I made an observation about my mood and outlook after looking at my facebook feed. It was not doing anything to uplift my life, and in fact quite often put me in a sour mood. After deleting my Facebook, I felt a weight off my shoulders! And now to address… the pinterest addiction. One I have yet to get a good grasp on, but I’ve noticed myself becoming desensitized to beautiful things in the real world because they… Read more »

May 8, 2014 11:55 pm

Well-said and much needed, Wit.

[…] keeps growing, as does our obsession with being “connected” at all times.  Here are a few simple tips to keep your sanity in a very digital world.  Now, finish reading this post and go ahead and put that device away! […]

May 9, 2014 10:40 am

This post is just so great. Thanks for the well-written reminder.

Nga
May 9, 2014 12:23 pm

those are really good guidelines! i def put away my phone when i am with my family or friends. i make it a point now. and no cell phone in my bed and i don’t check email until I get into work. Its hard, but I think its worth it. more people time and less iphone time.

thanks for the reminders kate!

May 9, 2014 2:02 pm

LOVE LOVE LOVE the last 10 points. I 100% agree with all of them and I actually just watched a youtube video created to inspire people to put their phone down. I find it so rude when I’m with someone and they’re on their phone the entire time. It gets under my skin every time!

Erin
May 9, 2014 3:36 pm

Cheers to this post! This is something I’m trying to get better at as well. Slowly I am removing myself from my need to “see or know” what others are up to and focusing on my time on truly being with them. It’s amazing how meaningful simple gestures become when you are paying attention to those around you vs online. Thanks for the reminder!

Danielle M.
May 9, 2014 4:45 pm

this post came at an eerily amazing time. thank you for sharing this because it is so true. <3

ps. LOVE the no phones in the bedroom rule, a must-try!

May 10, 2014 12:17 am

[…] Staying sane on the Internet… I think everyone needs to read this, I know I did (Wit and Delight) […]

May 10, 2014 5:41 am

[…] How to stay sane on the internet… I think we could all use a reminder once in awhile, no? […]

May 10, 2014 2:46 pm

[…] 8. Das Internet kann einen manchmal verrückt machen. Immer schneller, immer mehr, immer privater. Manchmal denke ich, ich sollte das Handy mal wieder ausschalten. Den Laptop auslassen. Da scheine ich nicht die Einzige zu sein. […]

May 10, 2014 3:41 pm

This is great & so true. I struggle the most with comparison. Glad to know I’m not alone!

[…] came across a great article Jonesin’ for Likes: Staying Sane on the Internet on Wit & Delight.  The article explores our obsession with social media and tips on how to […]

zoe
May 12, 2014 8:52 am

This is a brilliant post. It’s so easy to get caught up in the online world. I think the threat is especially potent for lifestyle bloggers. I have a tendency to think that because the business I’m attempting to grow revolves around my lifestyle, that gives me the green light to use social media where ever, when ever. I’m definitely going to start sleeping with my phone out of my bedroom, and hopefully not touch it until I am ready for the day 🙂 Amazing post! xx

The What’s In Between

May 12, 2014 3:20 pm

Amen!!!!

Shelby
May 13, 2014 3:57 pm

As someone who has met you, Kate, a couple different times but who you don’t know super well, you are always on your phone. Even after complimenting you, you wouldn’t look up from your phone. Maybe your phone rule should extend beyond the bedroom so you can join us out here in the real world. It’s not so bad.

May 13, 2014 6:52 pm

[…] Kate posted some great tips on how to stay sane on the interwebs. Such a true and good reminder and I love that Kate is so real in her posts. […]

May 13, 2014 11:54 pm

Thanks for posting, I think about this a lot especially the part with phone with friends. So often I am trying to catch up with people who are trying to catch up with facebook. It can be a downer.

Great post. x

May 14, 2014 2:56 am

I saw this inspiring and eye opening video called “look up”. I have a feeling a lot have seen it and I hope it changes peoples perspectives. I doubt you have a problem but many in this day and age can’t put their phones down to save their life. That’s what the video addresses. I still go on Instagram far too much but when you first start blogging, you want to be a noticed and heard immediately (which usually takes months or years). I always justify my “addiction” to wanting to grow my audience and draw traffic to my blog.… Read more »

May 16, 2014 7:22 am

[…] so easy to compare your life (and even compete) with the people you follow on Instagram. I loved these tips for staying sane on the […]

May 16, 2014 11:58 am

[…]  Do you ever reminisce about the romantic days before cell phones and home computers?  This article has been helpful as I try to find some healthier middle ground.  Now that the magazine is […]

[…] pick up where we left off here. So far, we’ve established that within our connected lives lay land minds of psychological […]

[…] I’m going to keep this post short, but here’s some recommended reading that has gotten my wheels spinning lately: Zosia Mamet on Why She Won’t Lean In, Thanks and Kate Arends on Staying Sane on the Internet. […]

May 21, 2014 7:57 pm

Good reminder. I had the no phone in bedroom rule for awhile but I always end up breaking it. Maybe it’s time to enforce it again 🙂 I also like rule #5 a lot. It’s sometimes hard for me to be completely open online because it makes me feel so exposed, but I always appreciate it so much when others do it. I guess I just need to get over it. Thanks for the post!

May 22, 2014 1:35 pm

Wise words! I’m especially a proponent of the no phones in the bedroom rule!

[…] I’m inspired by this woman and her mission :: Happiness in sugar cookie form :: How to stay sane in this crazy internet land :: Fabulous packaging :: Is it iced coffee weather?  :: My […]

May 23, 2014 7:10 am

This is SUCH a good post. I need to apply the bedroom rule no only to me but my bf also, he’s just as bad as me! Your advice here is bang on.

May 23, 2014 12:09 pm

[…] great tips for keeping sane on the […]

[…] + A great reminder: Jonesin’ for Likes: Staying sane on the Internet. […]

[…] Jonesin’ for Likes: Staying Sane on the Internet via Wit & Delight […]

Ana
May 26, 2014 1:20 am

Oh I can so relate to this post. I already read it twice. I also have my iphone all day in my hands. And sometimes I’m not even recognizing that I have opened instagram – already for the 100 time in 30 minutes. I’m just practicing to stay off. Because although is quite time wasting activity, it’s also so super rude to people who are mostly around us. So my iPhone is also banished from the bedroom.

May 28, 2014 3:17 pm

[…] Staying sane on the Internet? I think we all need help with this. […]

May 29, 2014 10:36 am

[…] • When you’re jonesin’ for likes, it’s hard to stay sane on the internet. […]

[…] here are some concepts for staying sane on the internet. Don’t begin and finish your day by taking a look at what different individuals are doing is […]

June 1, 2014 2:55 pm

i love all of these points!

i have been seriously considering not keeping my phone in the bedroom, and i must say the only thing holding me back is thinking that i would want it in case of an emergency . i know the odds are low, but i just feel safer with my phone next to my bed. like many people i don’t have a land line. i’d love to hear anyone else’s thoughts on this!

[…] Jonesin’ for Likes: Staying Sane on the Internet | Wit & DelightWit & Delight […]

[…] ahead and add that to the list of things that are bad ideas. I came across this article about Jonesin’ for Likes and it really hit home to me. Perhaps I need a break from this digital crap for a bit. No, I will […]

June 14, 2014 7:20 pm

And inside course of which analysis, it emerges that
all dollar spent in the pursuit of your online degree is likely to increase one’s lifetime earnings
many times fold. The the fact is, people join MLM opportunities as a consequence of who
introduced them. ll contain the practical guidance you
may need on how to find a concierge business”.

June 18, 2014 7:05 pm

This is so refreshing, thanks for being so honest Kate! A while ago I decided to stop reading emails in the evening and weekends and it makes me far more focused on Monday morning and allows me to have down time at weekends. And I really liked your pointers, constantly comparing your life and work to others is just exhausting, no good can come of it. Thanks for the tips for a sane life! X

Most-read posts:

Did you know W&D now has a resource library of  Printable Art, Templates, Freebies, and more?

take me there 

Arrow Alone

Get Our Best W&D Resources

for designing a life well-lived

MORE STORIES

Arrow Alone

the latest

Thank you for being here. For being open to enjoying life’s simple pleasures and looking inward to understand yourself, your neighbors, and your fellow humans! I’m looking forward to chatting with you.

Hi, I'm Kate. Welcome to my happy place.

follow  @WITANDDELIGHT

ELSEWHERE

PINTEREST

FACEBOOK

332k

2.9m

16k

INSTAGRAM

CREATE

A LIFE THAT

follow us on instagram @witanddelight_

DELIGHTS