Releasing the Shadows of Social Media

Anyone else still reeling from this week’s eclipse? Personally, I had a really cool moment of clarity regarding my own digital habits, which I didn’t really expect. I had a lot of big feelings around the eclipse, and it highlighted a lot of changes and endings in my chart. The first step for me after the eclipse has been the decision to start cleansing unhelpful behaviors and energy from my life by taking a digital detox (which I already planned to talk about today, so how perfect is that?!).

The Shadows of Social Media

While I’ve talked before about how wonderful social media can be, we all know that it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. One aspect that a lot of people struggle with is comparison. As we scroll through our feeds, we may start to feel the stress of weighing ourself against others. We might look at them and wonder, “Why am I not as successful? As beautiful? As happy?”

These feelings of comparison can trap us in feelings of inadequacy. We forget that what we’re seeing is often just the highlight reel, not the behind-the-scenes of someone’s life. Yet constant exposure to idealized versions of reality still leads us to negative self-talk, envy, and even burnout as we chase unattainable standards.

On top of that, social media is designed to keep us engaged, turning casual scrolling into a habitual, and often mindless, activity. The likes, comments, and shares give us dopamine hits, fostering addiction to the instant validation that these platforms provide. This can make it hard to unplug, even when we know we need a break.

Then, there’s the influence of content that doesn’t serve our higher good. From toxic comparison to fear-inducing news or negative discussions, the energy we absorb online can impact our emotional and spiritual health. We may find ourselves absorbing negative content that clouds our judgment, fuels anxiety, or distances us from our authentic selves.

Releasing Attachments

Breaking free from these digital attachments isn’t about deleting every app or never scrolling again. It’s about creating mindful boundaries that allow us to use social media intentionally rather than letting it control us. Below are some techniques for releasing the shadows of social media and fostering a more balanced, spiritually aligned relationship with the digital world.

1. Remember Your Intentions

I’ve brought this up every week, but it’s such an integral part of building a mindful social media practice so I’m saying it again. Before logging into any platform, pause and set an intention. Ask yourself, “What do I hope to gain from being here?” Whether you’re connecting with loved ones, seeking inspiration, or promoting your business, having a purpose keep you focused on how you can enrich your time on social media.

2. Unfollow with Purpose

Take an inventory of who you follow and the type of content filling your feed. If certain accounts make you feel bad about yourself, trigger stress, or perpetuate negativity, it may be time to unfollow or mute them. Curating your feed to reflect positivity, growth, and authenticity can help you remain grounded while scrolling.

3. Practice Digital Detoxes

Schedule regular detox periods where you step away from social media completely. Whether it’s for a few hours each day or a weekend each month, these breaks allow you to reconnect with yourself and the real world. Use this time to engage in offline activities that nourish your soul—journaling, meditating, spending time in nature, or practicing a hobby.

4. Limit Engagement with Negative Content

Not all content is created equal, and some of it may lower your vibration. If you find yourself engaging with fear-based news, heated discussions, or content that perpetuates negativity, consciously limit your exposure.

This doesn’t mean that we should hide away from terrible things that happen in the world, because being educated and standing up for injustices is an important part of being a human. What we don’t want is to become wrapped up or obsessive about the bad news when we can’t do anything to change it, leading to anxiety and hopelessness. There’s a lot we can do, but accepting our limitations and being careful when it comes to our consumption of bad news online.

5. Monitor Your Screen Time

Track how much time you spend on social media and set boundaries for yourself. Many phones and apps have built-in tools to help monitor screen time. Reducing mindless consumption allows you to reclaim time and energy that can be redirected toward more meaningful activities.

This is something I did after the eclipse, to see where I was holding myself back from personal growth. It turns out that I spend about 30 hours per week on a specific social media platform. I was shocked! Of course I’m multitasking and I’m working while I’m using the platform, but I couldn’t believe the sheer amount of time that I spend glued to my laptop just to feel near people, when I could be out in nature or with family and friends face-to-face. You might be surprised by your screen time too, so take a look!

Aligning To Our Truth

Releasing digital attachments is not a one-time act; it’s an ongoing process of mindful awareness. By identifying the shadows that social media casts in your life—whether it’s comparison, addiction, or negative influences—you empower yourself to make conscious choices. Creating boundaries, detoxing regularly, and consuming uplifting content can help you find balance in an otherwise chaotic digital space.

By aligning your digital presence with your spiritual truth, you can step into a more grounded, peaceful relationship with social media—one where you hold the reins, not the other way around. In this space, you can continue to connect, create, and inspire, but from a place of authenticity and balance, rather than attachment and comparison.

Remember, your digital life should reflect the best parts of your true self, not the shadows of others. Choose wisely, scroll mindfully, and release what no longer serves your higher good.

Questions to ask yourself this week:
What old habits or patterns do I need to let go of to create a healthier relationship with social media? What temptations or negative influences do I need to be aware of in my online interactions?

The Last Quarter moon on September 24th gives us the perfect space to release these shadows around social media, so use that energy to help you complete this cycle. Next week we’ll begin a new cycle, and I’ll announce the new topic on Instagram and Threads, so follow me there if you want to be the first to know!

Originally on Substack