What Are You Feeding Your Mind?

kristina leonardi
5 min readSep 20, 2022

--

Be discerning and don’t let social media consumption weigh you down

Photo credit: Kristina Leonardi

When I see how technology and social media can dominate our lives these days, I think of this essay called Radiohead, which I wrote over seven years ago but its theme is one we need to be constantly reminded of.

Since I first published that essay back in January 2015, Netflix and other streaming on-demand services have come online in full force; Instagram has grown exponentially and is now shifting to more of a video format; and of course there is the juggernaut that is TikTok, which I am not even on and can only imagine how rabbit-hole-mesmerizing it can be.

But just like any other tool, it’s how we use these things that can be of help or harm.

I am beyond grateful for YouTube and IG, as I’ve hardly watched regular TV, cable or other services for a couple of years now. At least on the social media channels, with some discipline, you can curate some very nutritious, entertaining and expansive content for yourself.

And as a content generator myself, I enjoy the creative ways I can express my messages and experiences through those media. I am also very conscious and intentional in serving up productive, promotional, inspiring and/or just plain silly thoughts and images to help uplift and support you during these transformative times. (Of course if you haven’t already, be sure to follow me on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube ;)

Now more than ever, though, these outlets and their ever-looming potential for severe distraction and disorientation have proliferated to the extent that it’s like being at an all-you-can-eat buffet in Vegas every day. You gotta watch what you load on that plate, and how frequently you do so!

And pay attention to how you feel after you consume whatever it is you are consuming. Our mental and physical sanity, both individually and collectively, depend on it.

So we have to catch ourselves and not be sucked into an abyss … Be sure to take periodic breaks; do a media cleanse or a fast, just as you would with your food diet.

And even if you have a super-healthy media diet, sometimes you need to take regular breaks to actually digest and integrate all the information and inspiration and be able to check in to your own thoughts and feelings, discern what resonates or not, and formulate your own perspective and opinions. This is going to be paramount in the months and years to come as more and more outside forces try to hijack what we know, think and do about anything and everything …

The bottom line is that we need BALANCE and moderation in all things … so let’s discuss! We’ll be talking about that elusive topic in our next CONNECTING WITH KRISTINA online gathering on September 21st. It’s a great opportunity to have meaningful conversation with folks of like mind to share experiences, insights and helpful perspectives.

Click here for some of my musings during the session about JOY and check my YouTube channel for a clip from July, with an interaction with an attendee. Click here for more info and to register for this month’s discussion.

And another nutritious offering for you is my book Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul! Check out this video with some of the folks who have it, and read additional reviews and purchase on Amazon here. If you have a copy — thank you! — and please consider writing a review and/or posting on social media with the hashtag #sayittomakeit. Click here for all the IG posts so far, and scroll down to learn more and read what others are saying.

For related thoughts on these topics, read my essay Radiohead.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CLICK HERE FOR MY NEW MONTHLY ONLINE GATHERING CONNECTING WITH KRISTINA

Get essays like this delivered every Friday to your mailbox (with an introductory note about current events) as my PGG newsletter by texting CLEARLYKRISTINA to 22828 to join my mailing list.

Click here to learn more about Kristina Leonardi coaching and other services.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Kristina Leonardi is a nationally recognized career and life coach, speaker and author who for over 15 years has empowered individuals to make lasting professional and personal changes aligned with their true passions and talents while fulfilling their role in the world at large.With a holistic and personal growth-oriented approach, she has helped hundreds of men and women over the past decade improve their job performance, enter or re-enter the job force, change careers, better manage their time and stress, and live happier, more meaningful, balanced lives. Her specialty is working with people who feel stuck or are in transition and can help you clarify exactly what you want to do, identify blocks, issues, and patterns in your way, and offer proven ideas, resources, and action steps to get you there.

Click here for info about Kristina’s coaching and speaking services

Follow on Facebook and Instagram and Twitter for up to date posts, helpful articles and inspirational thoughts. Slowly building my YouTube channel so you check that out and subscribe too!

Check out my books Personal Growth Gab:Personal Growth Gab (PGG) Volume One: Thought-provoking, inspirational and entertaining essays to keep you connected to yourself and make sense of this journey called Life and Say It To Make It: Affirmations to Empower the Heart, Mind, Spirit and Soul both available on Amazon

If you like what I write, you’ll love what I have to say in person!

Click here for info about my coaching and speaking services

Click here for some testimonials from past clients

Click here for a video that explains some ways in which I can help you

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Read over 100-star “Yelp” style reviews here

Join Mailing List

Read more about me and my work in these past PGG’s:

15 Candles |All Roads, Same Place | And Now, A Word from Our Sponsor | Strong Medicine | 10,000 Hours | A Decade of Doing What I Do | Express Yourself

--

--

kristina leonardi

Speaker,Coach,Writer.Very Tall. Expertise:People. All kinds, what makes 'em tick, how they fit into the world, how they can best connect to themselves + others.