To Each Their Own...

I think social media is great. I think it serves many positive purposes. It initiates the opportunity to collaborate, self express, interact, share, and explore. All of these things are awesome. I am an avid user of social media. I run a blog. I have an Instagram account where I share my passion for health and fitness. Both of these in addition to various personal accounts. But, social media has become an extremely hostile place. People are constantly judging other people's way of life if it does not measure up with the way they choose to live theirs. I’m not saying everyone does this because there are plenty of positive influencers and individuals out there. What I’m saying is, when does it become too much? When does social media go too far? It goes further than just social media honestly. It’s happening all around us.

I’m so sick and tired of people bashing one another due to their beliefs and values. People always have something to say. I constantly find myself having to justify or defend my way of life for other people because they can’t seem to set aside differences and and take the time to understand. Okay, you disagree with the way someone chooses to live? FINE. But, DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT ever make them feel bad about themselves because you are too thick skulled to see the other side of something. It’s saddening.

This world is full of choices. You have the ability to decide and make choices for yourself everyday based on what you feel is right. What you think is right, someone else may not. You may be doing what’s best for you, but that’s not what might be best for someone else. Everyone is different, unique, and entitled to their own opinion. I’m sick of seeing negativity everywhere I go. The negativity I am seeing is unneeded and making this world a more uneasy and unwelcoming place. We can’t afford that. We need all the support, love, and encouragement we can get.

I’m sick of people feeling they need to alter the things they believe in just to please their followers or to gain interaction with other people. Let me ask you something. If you are altering your beliefs and thoughts to please or satisfy others, what is your purpose? What are you achieving? Are you being real? No. You most certainly are not. You are altering the way you feel because you feel that is the only way to be heard. On the contrary, their are people out there who express one thing and stay completely true to that, but humiliate and diminish others who don’t see things the same way. Neither is okay. Neither is going to make this world a better place. Neither is social media’s intended use. Stop. Stop and think really hard. Are you guilty of this? If you are, why do you do it? What do you get from it? Have you thought about the person you are judging? Most often you haven’t even met these people. You are looking through computer/phone screens and placing judgement on someone that you’ve probably never even met? You have no right to make accusations. No right to judge the way they choose to live or the choices they choose to make make and vice versa.

She is vegan. He eats meat. She only posts pictures in bikinis or revealing outfits. He goes to the gym everyday. He has a different career than me. She only posts pictures of her eggs and toast. She spends her time alone. He only goes out and parties. She's obsessed with competing. She chooses to track macros. He is constantly posting about all of his kids accomplishments. She eats intuitively. He’s bulking. She’s cutting.

WHO CARES? IT’S HONESTLY EXHAUSTING TO SEE/HEAR. IT DOES NOT AFFECT YOU. IT HAS NO IMPACT ON YOU. These are all personal decisions and choices that individuals make based off of what they’re passionate about or interested in. These individuals share these things to inspire other people who have similar interests, but more importantly because it's what they’re truly passionate about. You disagree? Fine. Unfollow them. Choose to remove them from your social media. Choose to agree to disagree. I don’t care what you choose to do, but it better not involve bringing that person down in anyway. Stop partaking in the overwhelming amount of negativity, drama, and tension that social media brings.

You do not have to agree with someone. You do not have to like what someone is doing. However, YOU DO need to respect them. You need to treat them the way you would want to be treated. How would you like it if someone was consistently bashing the things you are passionate about? Chances are you probably wouldn’t like it because it hurts. It’s hard for people to share their beliefs and values, especially in today's society. Don't make it harder. Whether that person has 200k followers or 20 followers, they're still human. They still have feelings. It still hurts just the same. Don’t make someone feel more anxious or uncomfortable with what they’re choosing to share. Do not be so quick to judge, it’s as simple as that. You’ve never walked a day in that person's shoes. You don’t know what they’re going through or struggling with. You have no idea what their everyday life is like.

My point is, be kind. Be genuine. Be understanding. Be supportive. Be real. Be raw. Be positive and up-lifting. Do you have to agree or be passionate about the same things as everyone else? Of course not! To each their own. But, you do need to be able to put your differences aside and be accepting or understanding of another’s choices. Each person views things differently. Sees the world in their own unique way. Each person is paving a path for themselves based on their passions and interests. Do not interfere with that and bring negativity forward because you don’t feel the same way.

This blog post turned out to be way more of a rant. It was extremely difficult to get all of my thoughts out clearly. I think there is so much more that could be said. I think that no matter how many times I write this or choose to reflect on it, I will question whether or not I got my point across in the way I wanted to. I just really want you all to start thinking. To start being more aware of the way you treat others. To stop judging. To stop making others feel less worthy. To express what you are passionate about without making others feel their passions are less important. There is room for everyone. There is room to learn, explore, and grow with one another. There is a place for everyone to bring their thoughts, passions, and interests to the table. Remember that. Think before you speak. Think before you type. Think before you do.

-Mik