The Importance of Mindful Content Consumption — Linkedin Context

This is going to be a controversial one, but I think Linkedin content isn’t that far away from Social media like Facebook or Instagram nowadays. On Facebook or Instagram, the content revolves around showcasing body physique, social status, and financial achievements.

In contrast, LinkedIn highlights personal growth through new certifications, job promotions, and the sharing of inspiring quotes. At first glance, it looks different, but when you look at it carefully, you’ll notice that it’s about the same thing, curating our best selves to the world.

I agree that companies would unlikely hire someone who constantly posted about their life problems or complained about their boss’s behaviors. In the end, what we post indicates how we see the world. Still, I don’t think it’s the only thing they want.

Accomplishments are not all of who we are. Our life is not always sunshine and rainbow. Some of us spend most of our time in rain and storm, and just because they’re having a harder time than others doesn’t mean they’re a less capable person in any sense.

Beware of Toxic Positivity

Toxic positivity is the expectation always to maintain a positive attitude and dismiss or suppress negative emotions. Platforms like LinkedIn often involve showcasing success and inspirational messages while avoiding discussions about struggles or genuine emotions.

It is a great platform, and I’m using it often. It’s also perfectly fine to share your accomplishments. But if you constantly post them, you probably appear as a spammer.

We easily fall into this trap because we believe LinkedIn is a professional platform. As professionals (we are made to think), we are not allowed to be vulnerable in front of others. It’s only acceptable to post about our success. The more, the better. But does it really work that way?

The effect of toxic positivity

I was in one of the groups created to focus on people's mental health. However, all I saw was toxic positivity. They neglected the painful emotions. Some went so far as to state that it’s wrong to feel that way. This pressure to be relentlessly positive can harm mental health and discourage authenticity.

I love the quote by Curtis Jackson, an American rapper and actor, who said, "Sunny days wouldn't be special if it wasn't for the rain. Joy wouldn't feel so good if it wasn't for pain."

I’m a true believer that we need to embrace our whole emotions, regardless of how it feels. Some feelings like sadness and regrets are definitely painful, but they help us grow. Most importantly, the presence of adversity makes us more grateful for the good times and allows us to savor and value moments of happiness.

The dose defines the poison.

I have no problems with helpful information or inspiring messages. I love reading James Clear’s provocative questions and Adam Grant’s inspiring mindset. I enjoy reading new ideas from my supervisor and the coaches I admire. I’ve learned and grown a lot thanks to their wisdom.

However, when we enter the website, we’re inevitably bombarding ourselves with information. And no matter how good the intention is, at one point, too much goodness can be bad.

Sugar Overload is real. It doesn’t matter how sweet-tooth you’re. If you overconsume it, you’ll feel bad. The positivity is the same. It’s a great skill to be able to look on the bright side of the world. But keep looking at the bright light, and you’ll go blind.

Overconsuming them can reinforce our self-doubt. It triggers us to compare ourselves to other people’s lives unconsciously.

The cost of overconsumption

I have to give credit to this idea to James Clear. It was not until I read his book, Atomic Habits, that it became clear to me that how I consume information is as important as what I consume.

I used to think that since I was a beginner, I should consume as much information as possible. While it was a good mindset, it also left me a big gap. Like a sponge that can be absorbed every liquid, from clean to muddy water, I read every post on LinkedIn without thinking carefully about what and when I should read.

There was no problem when I was starting out since I only followed a few people, and they shared helpful ideas. But it didn’t take long before LinkedIn’s algorithm started to put information on my feeds. Most of them were self-promoting content, but I still read them all.

It took me much more time and energy to read posts, and I didn’t even enjoy doing it like I used to do. It became a chore, a thing I needed to do. I also started comparing myself with others and ended up doubting my capabilities.

We can’t control anyone but ourselves.

When I realized my surge of self-doubt, I decided to stop using Linkedin altogether for a few weeks. I needed time to recover before getting back in. In the end, Linkedin is still the platform that has huge potential when it comes to careers.

Even though I mentioned Toxic Positivity earlier, I still believe that most people have only good intentions. I don’t think anyone even thinks about using their post to make someone feel bad. It’s just a combination of algorithms and our consuming habits. It’s about us and how we cope with our environment. So with that in mind, here was how I adjusted how I use Linkedin:

• I asked myself why I decided to use LinkedIn in the first place and how I should use it so I wouldn’t feel self-doubt again. My answer is to help others through my learning during my coaching journey and also create an excellent credible online identity.

• I wanted to share my articles that I believed could benefit others.

• I didn’t want to spam or post them in any groups, so I decided to post them as articles on my profile instead.

• I also reduced the time spent on the platform significantly. Unless I’m looking for a job board, posting articles, or finding helpful information from people I connect with, I rarely visit the site nowadays.

Summary

Toxic positivity and consuming excessive positive content on LinkedIn can harm mental health. The pressure to always be positive can lead to feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt when comparing oneself to others' success.

Suppressing negative emotions hinders their proper processing, causing emotional exhaustion and disconnection from one's authentic self. Prioritizing self-care, setting boundaries, and fostering open conversations about challenges is essential for maintaining well-being on LinkedIn.

Therefore, it’s important for us to be intentional about how we use the platform, both sharing and consuming the content. Understanding our needs before doing something is the key to a sustainable way of happiness in life.