Do social networks take a lot of your energy resources?

Ksenia Meshkova
47 replies
How many hours per day do you usually spend on Product Hunt, LinkedIn, Twitter, and others? Does it drain your energy? On one hand, communication satisfies me, but on the other hand, sometimes I feel overwhelmed, and as a result, I feel very empty because it takes all my energy resources. Sorry for the pessimistic introvert thoughts) I’m usually a positive extrovert, so I decided to ask you about it. Do you have moments like this, and how do you deal with them? //Thank you, guys! Your support and advices pulled me out of the dopamine pit!!

Replies

Lorenz Sell
I get stretched pretty thin with my social network time but I also find it fulfilling. Right now I'm spending time on PH, LinkedIn, X, and Substack. I'm thinking about cutting down to just one or two to be more focused. But I also enjoy the quality of conversations that emerge. Mostly, I've been looking for ways that I can contribute something that has helped me.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@lorenzsell yeah, it's like productive procrastination. But then, when you realize you still have to do your work and you have less time after those wonderful hours of communication, your anxiety level grows:(
CY Zhou
Absolutely, social networks can be quite draining! It's important to set boundaries to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance.
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Vaibhav
As a solopreneur, I think so. Yes, they do.
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Elly
SlashPage
Hi @Ksenia, I log out of all online media, eat something delicious and look at a book I've been wanting to read.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@ksenia @elly_sp yeah!! I had a similar evening yesterday!! ♡
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Alexandra Goss
I spent about 3 hours (my own channels + clients) The key to less stressful social media experience is meticulously curated feed - ruthlessly block toxic people, unfollow boring or irrelevant accounts, find a way to engage genuinely And don't get discouraged when you come across a big "popular" account that looks terrible but gets a lot of attention - most likely, that attention is either farmed or AI-sourced Good luck!
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Kexin Liu
Yes, it's not only energy-draining but also really distracting. Like, messages from friends and notifications from various social media apps always interrupt my focus. It's super draining. What I've been trying to do is keep my phone away from me for about 1 to 1.5 hours when I need some focus time, and I check and handle really important stuff on my computer.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@liu_kexin yeah that's true, but I often need my phone for work😅
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Kexin Liu
@kksrm Yeah, maybe that's just an unsolvable dilemma, huh? Hahaha
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Anshul Raghav
@kksrm Social networks these days are overwhelming, making us laugh at one reel and feel anxious the next. This constant up-and-down leaves us drained and stops us from really connecting. I believe social networks have forgotten their true meaning. I can't stand them anymore so decided to build one that is truly fun.
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Anshul Raghav
@kksrm you can try it here: https://play.google.com/store/ap... Let me know what you think of it. Let's make socialising exciting.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@anshul_raghav oh is it only in google play market? I don't have it( But the idea is great, because a few years we were generating the same, but didn't have time to continue
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Anshul Raghav
@kksrm not a problem. you can check out the iOS beta version here: https://testflight.apple.com/joi...
angela bruce
Social networks can be both energizing and draining, depending on how they're used.
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Gurkaran Singh
Oh, social networks are like those apps that drain your battery faster than you can say "refresh"! Finding the balance between staying connected and avoiding the energy drain is an art form -- it's a good thing emojis exist to help convey those mixed feelings!
Marie-Philippe Leblanc
It definitely drains energy. Like any other task. I think it's about finding balance and keeping it scheduled!
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Ibileke Samuel
Personally it drains my energy. The time taken from just scrolling on Instagram can be used for something far productive. Why is it draining? It is draining because of the time it takes from me, and I would have other important tasks to have been done in that moment. I would say that it is only beneficial and not draining for those in the entertainment industry. I deal with this by making reminders and constantly setting up a routine, with time I got to adjust.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@theonlyleke yeah! Besides draining my energy, it takes away my productive time. And good advice with the reminders, you're right, thanks!
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Jayesh Gohel
Hey Ksenia ! it's Depend Upon How Can You Use it If you are Using it in Positive Way You Can Get Lots of Information and You are Just Using for Entertainment Purpose it Will Take Your lots of Energy Resources !
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Tim
Transform your attitude from what you "get" to what you input and you'll be happier. Social media is not about marketing. Social media is first and foremost recognizing that you are communicating with people and people are awesome. It's fun to communicate with people and it's fun to hear their stories. This doesn't mean that we never have meaningful discussions where there's feedback. Some of human exchange is directly telling other people how they're presenting themselves and receiving this feedback too. But the underlying purpose of giving feedback is to help people improve.
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Ksenia Meshkova
@sqlinsix of course! you absolutely right! It's just that sometimes I feel like I'm drowning in online communication and I have no time to live in the real world. Social networks pull me into their web🤭
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 Nick Zack
When it starts feeling too much, I take a break and enjoy some quiet time.
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Debra Hetrick
I’m on social media for roughly 2 hours daily, I cope with the energy drain by taking regular breaks and limiting notifications
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Kehui Guo
I usually spend ~ 30 minutes on product hunt everyday. I enjoy it quite a lot, except that sometimes when I see products that are really interesting, I get too excited and have a hard time calming down which is super weird i know😅 LinkedIn is the one that drains my energy the most... I kinda force myself to stop browsing LinkedIn on a daily basis, for my mental health
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Ethan Samuel
Yes, social networks definitely drain my energy. The endless scrolling and the need to stay relevant can be overwhelming at times, but it's a necessary part of modern life
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James Ramos
Dear Ksenia, I can certainly empathize with the feelings you've expressed. :) (cuz it happens for me sometimes) Social media and online networking can be a double-edged sword - while they provide valuable opportunities for communication and connection, they can also be tremendously draining, especially for introverts or highly sensitive individuals. It's not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and depleted after spending extended periods immersed in the constant stream of information, interactions, and stimuli found on platforms like Product Hunt, LinkedIn, and Twitter. The mental and emotional energy required to process it all can leave you feeling drained and empty, even if you generally consider yourself an extrovert. I think it's important to recognize that you're not alone in experiencing these challenges. Many people struggle to find the right balance when it comes to managing their online presence and social media habits. The key is to be intentional and proactive in setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care. Some strategies that may help include: - Limiting your time on social networks to specific windows during the day, rather than having them open constantly. - Scheduling regular breaks and "digital detox" periods to recharge and recenter. - Focusing your online activities on the platforms and interactions that are most meaningful and fulfilling to you. - Cultivating offline hobbies, social connections, and outlets that provide a sense of grounding and replenishment. - Being mindful of your energy levels and needs, and giving yourself permission to step back when you're feeling overwhelmed. Ultimately, it's about finding what works best for you and your unique needs. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but with some self-awareness and experimentation, you can strike a healthy balance that allows you to benefit from the positives of social networking while protecting your mental and emotional wellbeing. I hope these suggestions are helpful.
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Mileva
We can say social networks can consume a significant amount of time and attention for many people but it also impacting upon productivity and mental well-being depending on how they are used.
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Kim
Yeah, I get it. I used to spend hours on Twitter and LinkedIn, and it would seriously zap my energy. I try to stick to about an hour a day now and focus on other stuff I enjoy, like going for a walk or reading. Setting those limits has really helped me feel less overwhelmed.
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