How Social Media Can Make You Happy <---- You Read that Right!
What if happiness really is in the little things?
The folded laundry, the perfect cup of tea, the moments where you linger longer at the table. What if happiness is even in … wait for it … your favorite form of social media?
Becky Keife — a beautiful friend, writer and Editorial Coordinator at (in)courage — has stopped by today to tell us how she cultivates, creates and finds happiness in what might seem like an unexpected place: Instagram.
We’d both love to connect with you on Instagram! Becky is on Instagram @beckykeife. I’m on Instagram @dukeslee.
Welcome, Becky!
Do That Happy Thing – When Surface Pleasures Produce Meaningful Treasures
By Becky Keife
I heard the familiar br-rring of my Voxer app letting me know a new message had arrived. (If you don’t know about Voxer, think instant voice messaging ala adult walkie-talkies.) I pressed the play button and heard the voice of a new friend. I had known Crystal online, but over the summer we had a chance to connect in real life while she was visiting the sunny California coast of my home state.
As I listened to Crystal chat about lost library books and social quirks of an introvert, I smirked with been-there knowing. At the end of her short message she added that she loves following me on Instagram. Our mutual friend (the lovely Jennifer Dukes Lee) had suggested to Crystal that she check out my account of tiny squares.
“Your feed is my new favorite!” Crystal said. “So much beauty and you have the best captions.”
The compliment was short and sweet but it transformed my small grin into a face-stretching smile.
Days later I was still thinking about Crystal’s words. I felt an internal glow every time I remembered her Instagram affirmation. To be honest, my mental replay of Crystal’s kind remark started to make me feel a little self-conscious.
Why am I so hung up on her message? Why is a little positive feedback provoking such a big reaction? Am I that shallow? That needy for approval?
I questioned my motives and was near-certain some kind of character flaw must be at the root of my disproportionate happiness.
Then it hit me: happiness.
I kept going back to Crystal’s message in my mind because it made me happy. But it wasn’t so much the compliment from a new friend that triggered the streaming joy—nice as it was—it was reflecting on the thing I was being complimented for: capturing beauty through photography and words, and then sharing it with others.
It was being seen in what makes me come alive that ignited such a happy response.
Suddenly, everything I had been learning through Jennifer’s Happiness Dare came into focus. You see, this sweet comment hit on what Jennifer calls my happiness sweet spot—living out of my God-designed wiring.
You Have a Happiness Style
If you’ve taken The Happiness Style Assessment, you know that Jennifer describes five main styles of happiness: Doer, Relater, Experiencer, Giver, and Thinker. (If you haven’t completed the five-minute assessment, click here! You will love this insight into your own happiness wiring!)
Everyone has a primary happiness style, with usually one or two strong secondary styles. I am a Doer, which means when productivity and purpose collide, I’m a happy, happy camper. But there is a greater level of happiness possible beyond our primary style; supreme happiness is available when all five styles of happiness work together.
This is what happens for me with Instagram. All five styles are activated.
The Experiencer
The Thinker
The Doer
The Giver
The Relater
Five happiness styles working together.
Jennifer writes in The Happiness Dare: “Think of what it would mean for each of us if we learned where we are happiest of all. Think if we could discover our own styles of happiness and then multiply what brings us joy. Think how it could change our moments, our days, our homes, our workplaces. Our lives.”
Probably like many of you, over the years I have evaluated the time and attention I give to social media. I want to invest in things that have lasting value. Posting pics to Instagram initially doesn’t seem to foot that bill. It won’t feed the hungry or resolve political problems. There is no spiritual discipline of “Instagramming,” nor does it earn my family an income.
So why should I give myself to such a pursuit? Could, because it makes me happy, be reason enough?
The Happiness Dare has led me to answer, Yes!
“We have to put happiness into practice, because the enemy is working against us. The enemy knows our happiness can draw us closer to God, make us more generous, deepen our relationships with others, and advance the cause of the gospel.”
In this way, what we do is less important than who it helps us to become.
Snapping photos and writing captions isn’t any more and less spiritual than other ways people fill the cracks of their day. But for me, this small thing taps into the big of happiness, therefore, by God’s grace, making me a brighter light for the Happy Hope we have in Christ.
Jennifer goes on to explain, “This is central to the Happiness Dare: Invest five minutes in seeking the kind of pleasure that brings happiness to your heart and brings glory to our God.”
What began several months ago as a quick compliment via Voxer has evolved into meaningful affirmation that I am meant to celebrate my happiness sweet spots.
Your Turn
Writing, photography, or social media might not be your thing. But there is something (lots of things!) for each one of us that makes our hearts sing. What is it for you?
Embrace that happy song that overflows when you’re living out of your unique wiring, and believe that it is a sweet call to others to come, meet the Source, and be changed.
Take the Happiness Style Assessment to find out what truly makes you happy.
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I love this article Becky! Especially this…”Posting pics to Instagram initially doesn’t seem to foot that bill. It won’t feed the hungry or resolve political problems. There is no spiritual discipline of “Instagramming,” nor does it earn my family an income…But for me, this small thing taps into the big of happiness…”
I’ve wondered if I spend too much time on social media sometimes. But most of the time, it *really* does make me happy to share my photos and positive messages. YOU just brought a smile to my face friend! And…isn’t The Happiness Dare the BEST?!
Aww, thanks so much for sharing this, Caryn. Certainly our time on social media requires intentionality and it’s wise to evaluate our priorities, but just because something *can* be used to foster negativity doesn’t mean it has to be! Keep doing the happy thing you do on social media, too! (And yes, The Happiness Dare IS the best!!) Thanks for being here, friend.
I ABSOLUTELY LOVE PHOTOGRAPHY. For me it tells a story, a unique story about the subject or object behind my lens. For years I’ve taken up the role as team photographer for my three boys’ sports teams. I’ve been asked over and over again why I don’t charge for the images I share with parents. The reason is simple. I love to bless people in this way. What seems like such a simple act for me- catching someone else’s child in action loving their sport- has so much value to the parent I send it to. It’s a way for me to give back when I don’t have the financial resources to do otherwise. Because so many of these parents have blessed me with car pool and getting my kids to games when I couldn’t etc and because it brings me great HAPPINESS. I love this post! Thanks for sharing!
Tracey, that is fantastic! What a blessing. And isn’t it awesome how when we live and give out of our own joy, being generous is a mutual blessing. And as a fellow mom of three boys (high fives, hugs, and extra coffee for you!), I can say I would LOVE to be gifted with pictures of my kids in soccer or baseball action. Thanks so much for sharing the happy thing you do.
Well, everything about this post makes me supremely happy! 🙂
And I feel the exact same way about Instagram.
I love, and need, the encouragement to embrace + enjoy the abundant happiness God provides.
Becky + Jennifer — you are awesome!
Thanks for visiting today, Elise! Abundant happiness. Yes! That’s the giving business God is in. xoxo
You do have a happy feed, Becky. It isn’t stilted or contrived…it’s real life lived with little boys. I so appreciate that Jennifer’s book give us permission to find our happiness style and then to enjoy our sweet spot. Annnnddd…congratulations on your (in)courage spot! So exciting!
Lisa, thank you for your kind words! Yes, I also love that in the book Jennifer talks about how embracing a life of happiness doesn’t mean a total lack of sadness, frustration, grief, or other negative emotions. Life is still life. I try to give honest glimpses of all the colors of mine–while still celebrating the beauty even in muddy moments. You do this beautifully as well!
(And thanks for the congrats! It’s a joy and a gift to be part of the (in)courage team!)
My friend, Jody Lee Collins, over at Three Way Light (well worth checking out!) recently discussed Instagram in a FB discussion — describing what a peaceful form of social media it is. Now you, Becky, have intrigued me further by describing your happiness while sharing photos and captions on Instagram. SO! Resolution #1 for 2017: Learn how to Instagram! (P.S. Your samples here are very insightful and inspiring!)
Nancy, I’m on FB as well, but when I discovered Instgram a couple years ago (after finally getting on the smart phone train) I found a new forum with, in my opinion, more beauty and less noise. So yes, come join us there! 🙂 Thanks for being here and sharing your kind word.