Curating Your Life Reel

I listened to a podcast recently in which the author reflected on applying social media algorithms to her life.

Her basic point was this – When you click/react/comment/share clothing ads or true crime or dog rescue or particular politics or people, Facebook (and the other social media feeds) fills your feed with more of the same.

So, the more you click on one topic/opinion/person, the more you are bombarded with more of the same, and the less you see of opposing viewpoints or other topics or particular ‘friends’.

Which explains how when a person spends a lot of time on social media, our world can become skewed. We might begin to see the world through a different lens—the lens being curated by a bot that feeds back to you more of the same. Just like a Pandora playlist.

I don’t have to point out the danger in this for our world, but I will point out the way affect your mindset and thus your life.

I’ve always been a big believer in ‘You are what you eat’ in terms of health, but I think it holds true for what/who you choose to follow and engage with. Clickbait is called that for a reason – it’s bait that is used to catch your attention, your mind, your money, your soul.

If we focus on (read: click, scroll, follow) negative images/ideas/news, then we will begin to see a negative world. If we surround ourselves with cynical, snarky, unkind people, the more we are likely to imitate them.

Of course, the reverse is also true. Just like you can curate a great playlist on Pandora (or wherever), you can also curate an inspiring, motivating, heart-expanding feed, and engage with more nurturing, thoughtful, soul-expanding people.

It’s all in where you spend your time and where you click your mouse. “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

I believe, especially as I get older, that our time is our greatest treasure.

I don’t know about you, but I want how I spend my time to reflect (and reflect back to me) where I place my treasure.

I want to curate a life feed that is filled with people who nurture and support, stories that inspire and challenge, and images that heal and bring hope.

And I want to send the same messages out into the world.

So…all of that is to say, we need to focus on the good. There is plenty of evil out there, but the only thing that banishes darkness is light. Be a light.

Hey, thanks for reading. I know you’ve got lots of options, so thanks for sharing a few of your minutes with me.

Honored,

Cara

My latest novel, Blind Turn is a mother-daughter story of forgiveness in the aftermath of a fatal texting and driving accident. Learn more about it and find out how to get your copy here.

If you’re curious about what else I’m up to, check out my website, CaraWrites.com.

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And If you’re a dog lover, check out my other blog, Another Good Dog. And if you want to know what is really happening in the animal shelters in the southern US, visit, Who Will Let the Dogs Out.

I’d love to connect with you on Facebook, twitter, or Instagram, and I’m thrilled to get email from readers (and writers), you can reach me at carasueachterberg@gmail.com.

My book, 100 Dogs & Counting: One Woman, Ten Thousand Miles, and a Journey Into the Heart of Shelters and Rescues is available anywhere books are sold, but if you’d like some help finding it (or want to read some lovely reviews), click here.