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Writer's pictureBobbi Sizemore

How To Avoid Hating Strangers On The Internet


It has been a long time since I have been active on social media. I used to love it, but during the stay-at-home orders, social media sites became too negative for me, so I took a break. I never expected my break to last this long, but you know what? Life has been more productive and peaceful without it.

As a clinical hypnotherapist in private practice, I had to pivot and move all my client’s personal and group sessions online during the same timeframe. I’m still working that way, which has become a blessing in disguise. When my mom’s condition worsened, working online allowed me to travel halfway across the country to help. I do miss working with clients in person and plan to add in-person sessions as an option. If I’m going to help more people, I need to get back on social media since it’s replaced all the other advertising and networking options for efficient outreach.

As I dive back into social media, I see that not much has changed for the better. It might be helpful to someone at risk of getting triggered by things they see online if I provide information on how to navigate these sites without ruining your day. Keep reading if this will help you.


In recent years, social media has become a platform for connecting with friends, family, and strangers worldwide. However, it has also become a breeding ground for negativity, with people often spewing hate toward those they don’t even know. The problem with this behavior is that it doesn’t just impact the recipient of the hate but also ruins the person’s life by spewing the negativity.

First and foremost, hating strangers on social media can lead to increased stress and anxiety. Engaging in negative behavior towards others creates a negative feedback loop that can harm our mental health. Constantly thinking about negative things and engaging in harmful behavior can lead to increased stress and anxiety levels, which can have a ripple effect on other areas of our lives.

Furthermore, hating strangers on social media can lead to losing perspective. It’s easy to get caught up in the negativity and forget that real people are on the other end of our comments and messages. When we dehumanize others and reduce them to mere online profiles, it can be easy to forget that they have feelings, thoughts, and emotions just like us. This loss of perspective can harm our relationships with others and our ability to empathize and connect with others in our daily lives.

Lastly, hating strangers on social media can lead to a loss of self-respect. When we engage in harmful behavior toward others, we are hurting not only them but also ourselves. It’s hard to feel good about ourselves when engaging in behavior that we know is hurtful and negative. This loss of self-respect can impact other areas of our lives, such as our relationships, work, and personal goals.

So, what can we do to avoid hating strangers on social media? The answer is simple — practice empathy and kindness. It’s important to remember that the people on the other end of our screens are real human beings with thoughts, feelings, and emotions just like us. Treating others with kindness and respect can create a positive feedback loop that benefits everyone involved.

In conclusion, hating strangers on social media is a behavior that hurts others and ruins our lives. Practicing empathy and kindness can create a more positive and fulfilling online experience for ourselves and others. Let’s choose to be the change we want to see in the world and spread love and positivity on social media. If you feel yourself getting triggered, here are some easy steps you can take to feel better.

  • Take a deep breath and step away from the screen.

  • Identify what specifically triggered you.

  • Analyze why it triggered you — is it a personal belief, experience or value?

  • Reflect on your emotional response and try to name your emotion.

  • Consider if engaging in a discussion will be productive or if it might lead to further frustration or conflict.

  • Remind yourself that everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if you disagree.

  • Practice self-care, such as walking, listening to music, or doing something that brings you joy.

  • Seek support from a trusted friend or family member if needed.

  • Consider unfollowing or muting content or individuals that consistently trigger negative emotions.



I have started writing here on Medium for a couple of reasons: I love to write, and the idea of having a place to share information and my life in more than 140 or 280 characters or a meme. I also like the variety of articles I can find here; Medium is an excellent source of valuable information. I have also joined Twitter; you can follow me at twitter.com/hypnoticsecrets. I’ll begin posting on Facebook and Instagram again soon. I’ll be jumping back on my existing profile pages, Instagram.com/bobbisizemore, and Facebook; I have a business page at Facebook.com/mindsetexpert. You won’t find negative or political posts on my profiles; that’s not who I am. If you’re on social media, stop by and say hi!

I look forward to connecting with you! Bobbi

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