I had a lot of reasons for stepping back from social media. The fitness people were making me crazy. Once I eliminated them from my feed, all the non-dieting, weight-neutral, body-positive content was making me feel just as bad! They're still talking about food/weight/body all day, still judging, still causing me to second guess my own decisions. I got rid of all that, and then my family and friends were still body shaming and food policing. The more I listed to others or read about what they were doing, the more I doubted myself. Once I shut everyone else out, I could finally hear what my own body was telling me and trust my own decisions. Now, I follow mostly monkeys and puppies. I like "acrylic pour" painting channels, dog training, cooking, finance, basically anything that makes me feel relaxed, positive, or informed after viewing. That ruled out most of my relatives and coworkers. LOL
Now, it's not such a big deal. I enjoy some food and fitness content again. The key there is realizing that any judgment, comparison, or doubt is coming from my own mind. Other people aren't doing it to me; it's an inside job. It does tend to flare up more when I watch more, so if I find myself questioning what I'm doing or thinking I should change, I back away from the outside influences and watch more kittens and sloths.
Instead of looking to others for answers and approval in the areas of food, fitness, and body image, I find that the way to build trust in myself is to go ahead, make a decision, own it, and learn from it. The more I choose for myself based on how I feel and what I want, the more my confidence grows and the less it matters what others are doing or saying.
I'll stay in touch here then! I was talking to Caitlin on Instagram (peanut butter fiend). I'm so sorry to hear about Ripley. 💔He was such a sweetie. I'm a dog mom now for two and a half years after swearing we wouldn't get a dog in the city. It is hard--especially now but she is my dog child now and we will make it work. Glad you're OK. Stay safe!
So good to see you and hear that you are well and Ok!