To ask for a happy corner of the internet?

[VivaNewLife]

Where we celebrate life, and its good things? Real good things, not desires imposed by others, or an "instagrammable" life.

I have recently changed from a high profile career and a high social media following into a much more modest job. I deleted all my social media and did a professional disappearing act! I have even changed my name not to be found! I feel so happy and free!

But I miss the few positive interactions of social media, the windows on other people's inner beauty and wisdom, and their different positivity.

I thought we could have a little happiness and gratitude corner where we are happy for who we are, grateful to be alive and if we are not help each other to get there?

Pinterest is nice. Social media can be nice too if you pick who to follow carefully.

But isn't Pinterest also image based?

Ravelry is my happy place. Lots of knitting stuff. People post pictures of their projects and everyone tells them how fabulous they are.

Thank you for replying btw

I guess Pinterest are images from stock etc. That can be used to create ones inner life.

I'd like to be in a happy corner of the internet, can I join?!

The news is so depressing at the moment, and I am in a 'carpe diem' phase of my life as we are both now retired and I'm probably older than a lot on here!

Came to say Ravelry too.

If you choose who you follow carefully, Instagram and Twitter can be very positive and full of gratitude. Just stay away from the darkside and use the mute/block functions.

Youtube meditation and relaxation videos put me in a nice place to reflect on what is important in life. Your transformation sounds wonderful!

I have an Instagram account but never post. I use it to look at certain hashtags. I am interested in crafts, or upcycling, vintage stuff. Instagram is useful for looking at clever ideas and projects. I never comment, and don't look at pictures of pouting girls.

I don't subscribe to teh "all social media is poisonous and dangerous" viewpoint. It can be if you put a lot of store into likes or what people are saying about you. But in other ways it's great.

Hello Roussette! You and me then Age doesn't matter

I completely agree PineappleDanish! There's a lot of good in social media. Sadly I was in a really competitive field where you had to kind of sell yourself. Your cleverness. Your skills. And being good looking definitely helped. I am escaping from that.

I was a career politician btw.

I AM NOT THERESA MAY

Not a hugely famous one but worked in the team of one very well known MP. Some colleagues on same side and other side of the spectrum could be vile but the electorate can be really toxic. There is a reason why there aren't many women in politics. You have to be either one of the boys (thatcher) or grow a thick skin (Abbott).

Scooby - thank you! I feel like a new woman! Now I need to lose the flab that I have amassed in five years of huge stress! And move house! I really want to change life.

You've changed your name in real life? Some of that toxic electorate you talk about are the posters on here, you know, so expecting some kind of happy corner is something I find a bit unrealistic.

I find I want the nice stuff tempered with a bit of tamarind/lemon. That's why AIBU is so good; the vipers give really good advice and humour when needed, but don't dole out the the "RU OK Hun?" nonsense.

I think it's hard to tell the difference between lemon/tamarind, which are great for cooking, and mud which would ruin any recipe!

Maybe it's unrealistic but I don't think that on Mumsnet anybody will tell me to "die in a ditch, bitch." Anyway that's in the past! My life is now all about the personal. Down with the political! Viva New Life!

Just all seems a bit hippy dippy to me. Maybe works in a Disney movie but not in real life. Life is meant to be happy/sad/fulfilling/boring, all at once. Its great you are changing things to be more happy, but don't lose your humility.

And I did not say that the electorate is toxic. I wrote that their behaviour on social media can be.

There are lovely corners of the internet. I joined Cynefin for this, but it’s very quiet so far. It’s also possible to feel part of a community online through websites such as Quora.

Having said that, I also wonder if meeting people in real life is just much more satisfying? It’s so easy to be blunt and judgemental online. You don’t have to see the person as a rounded individual, with good bits and bad bits (as we all do). You don’t have to see their face crumple in response to your harsh words. Social media makes us see things very black and white, like or block. It’s not healthy and it doesn’t represent our complexity as humans. If someone says something rude on Twitter, there’s a torrent of “blocked”, “reported”, retweeted to encourage a pile on etc. In real life, if a friend starts being rude, you speak to them privately and ask them if they’re okay, they seem stressed etc.

I’m in the middle of planning a move to a new region. Once that’s done and I’m settled, I intend to spend the hours I piss away on here, going to book clubs, climbing centres, whatever gets me meeting actual people and not arguing with bots.

I use Instagram and am very picky about who I follow and what I see. My account is mostly following dogs, cats, make up artists, fat girl clothing, comedians, and migraine stuff. I love it.

Instagram and Pinterst etc is image based though. Personally, I like more writing-based ones (nearly wrote 'text-based'!). Off to check out Cynefin now...

I love your posts Marzipan Dildo & Cornish Porsche!! Thank you!!

I completely understand what you’re saying.

I find YouTube a fantastic resource. I watch videos on subjects that interest me (travel, planes, gardens, sewing, make up and fashion, to name a few) and also follow a few people whose videos are wonderfully meditative and/or positive for me.

I really like these:

m.youtube.com/watch?v=zjVQgNQJMQc

m.youtube.com/watch?v=rFkcwg84XMo

m.youtube.com/watch?v=9kgiZGKI1OU&t=414s

Lidoshuffle, me too. More writing and less looking! I'll check out Cynefin too.

(I’ve just posted random videos from each of the channels, no particular significance.)