How to Enjoy Social Media Again

Getting to Good Enough

Remember when you used to post everything on social media? The ER visit at 3am, the sunrise photos, even that video of swifts swirling into a church chimney? We sure do—and we're noticing how much our relationship with social media has changed.

From Shannon's former habit of doom-scrolling first thing in the morning to Janine's carefully curated Instagram-viewing strategy (spoiler: it involves search, dogs and zero feed-scrolling), this conversation gets real about the comparison trap, the algorithm rabbit hole, and why Shannon's 96-year-old aunt might have the best social media strategy of all.

If you've ever felt that familiar pang of "comparisonitis" while scrolling, or wondered why we keep watching police chase videos that stress us out, this episode is your permission slip to make social media work for you—not the other way around.

What We Talk About

• 00:30 - Janine's gorgeous sunrise photos and Shannon's hesitation to post the amazing swift video

• 03:27 - The ER incident from 2013: when Shannon posted from the CT scan (and stopped for a photo op under a "bump" sign)

• 06:30 - How taking a break from social media changed Shannon's relationship with posting and scrolling

• 07:08 - The real problem with social media: comparisonitis and comparing your insides to everyone else's outsides

• 08:21 - The dirty Kleenex revelation: even Janine tidies up before posting

• 10:04 - Janine's Instagram happiness strategy: four accounts, zero feed scrolling

• 13:24 - The relentless ads and why Shannon keeps seeing garden hoses after she already bought one

• 14:27 - Getting sucked into the video tunnel: Shannon's improv swing dancing obsession and Janine's police chase confession

• 18:16 - Shannon's 96-year-old aunt's perfectly curated Facebook feed (Van Gogh, Oregon history, and baby animals)

• 21:07 - The algorithm responds to what you linger on—so choose carefully

• 25:21 - Being careful who you follow when you're prone to comparison

• 26:25 - Shannon's muting strategy during political seasons and the 30-day test

• 28:12 - The two-profile solution: one for happiness, one for news

• 28:51 - Shannon's game-changer: keeping her phone across the room to stop morning doom-scrolling

• 30:15 - The big question: Why are you on social media? Make sure your feed reflects your purpose

Key Takeaways for Happier and Healthier Social Media Habits

1. Your Feed Should Reflect Your Purpose, Not Their Algorithm

Social media platforms want to keep you scrolling with ads and sponsored content, but you get to decide what you see. Start by asking yourself: Why am I on social media? Are you looking for connection? Inspiration? Entertainment? Once you're clear on your purpose, curate your feed to match. Follow people you actually want to connect with, accounts that genuinely inspire you, and content that makes you smile. There are no "shoulds"—you don't have to follow news sites, political accounts, or even relatives if their posts stress you out. Your feed, your rules.

2. The Unfollow/Mute Button Is Self-Care, Not Rejection

If someone's posts consistently make you feel bad—whether it's comparison, stress, or just annoyance—you have permission to unfollow or mute them. This isn't mean or petty; it's setting healthy social media boundaries. Shannon shares her strategy of muting people during political seasons with a 30-day reminder to reassess. Janine avoids her Instagram feed entirely, using search instead to find exactly what brings her joy. The goal isn't to cut people out of your life—it's to protect your peace while scrolling.

3. Comparisonitis Is Real—And You Can Cure It

As Shannon reminds us, social media shows everyone's highlight reel. You're comparing your messy insides to their carefully curated outsides. Even Janine admits she tidies up the dirty Kleenex before posting a photo! The cure? Be intentional about who you follow. If you're prone to comparison (and most of us are), follow accounts that inspire rather than deflate you. Shannon's 96-year-old aunt has it figured out—her feed is full of Van Gogh paintings, Oregon history, and cute animals. Zero stress, all joy.

4. Physical Distance From Your Phone Changes Everything

Shannon's biggest game-changer for breaking the doom-scrolling habit? Keeping her phone across the room at night. No more grabbing it first thing in the morning and falling into the scroll hole. This simple physical barrier helps her stick to her morning routine and start the day on her own terms, not the algorithm's. If you find yourself reaching for your phone without thinking, try adding some distance—literally.

5. Consider the Two-Profile Solution

Want to stay informed without the stress? We discuss having separate social media profiles: one curated for happiness (friends, hobbies, inspiration) and one for news and current events. This way, you can choose your mindset before you scroll. Feeling good? Stick to the happy feed. Ready to engage with the news? Switch profiles intentionally. It's all about intentional social media use instead of passive consumption.

The Bottom Line

Social media doesn't have to be a source of stress, comparison, or wasted time. You have way more control than you think. Start by getting clear on why you're there, then ruthlessly curate your feed to match that purpose. Unfollow and mute without guilt. Put some physical distance between you and your phone. And remember: we're all tidying up the Kleenex before we post.

Listener Action: This week, do a quick audit of your social media feed. Unfollow or mute three accounts that don't make you feel good, and follow three new accounts that genuinely spark joy or inspiration. Your feed, your rules.

• Swing dance improv - Here's an example of the swing dance improv that captivates Shannon. Amazing stuff!
• YouTube link - If you'd prefer to watch the conversation, click here!

Connect With Us

Feeling inspired to take back control of your feed? We'd love to hear from you! Leave us a voicemail at 413-424-GTGE (4843) or find us on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @gettingtogoodenough.

If you enjoyed the episode, please share it with a friend, and rate or review us on your favorite podcast platform. It really helps others discover the show and means so much to us!

Want more like this?

Episode 69: Social Media Our original social media episode covering how social media triggers perfectionism and strategies for making your feed a source of happiness instead of stress.

Episode 120: Sneaky Perfectionism Explores how perfectionism hides behind reluctance to take action—like Shannon's hesitation to post on social media in Episode 264.

Episode 70: Personal Progress Update We check in on commitments made during previous episodes, including morning routine struggles, like Shannon’s fix of moving the phone across the room to stop doom-scrolling.