MINNEAPOLIS — Chrissie Hodges is a mental health advocate, specifically within the obsessive-compulsive disorder community.
She lives with OCD and posts videos on platforms like YouTube and Instagram about a disorder that's often very misunderstood.
"When you talk about hard things, people feel empowered," Chrissie says. "Someone else is talking about it, so can I."
As someone who's seen the power of community that social media can create, there's also a downside.
"I have a love-hate relationship with social media personally and career-wise," Chrissie says.
Chrissie says that, especially after branching her advocacy onto Instagram, she started to notice that social media had gone from a place to help others heal to an addiction.
"I was losing my connection to my world and social media became my whole world," says Chrissie. "It was not fulfilling, and I was feeling empty and restless every day."
Ava Beilke is a social media coach and takes what she calls a "heart-centered approach" to our relationship with the apps.
"Your social media is in balance when you can open up the app, spend some time on it, and walk away either feeling inspired, motivated, educated or connected," Ava says.
To help you do that, Ava recommends a few things:
- Audit who you follow - follow accounts that make you feel good and let the rest go.
- Set time caps on your phone that alert you when you've reached your limit for the day.
- Schedule your time on social media just like you would anything else - maybe post in the morning and respond to comments later.
"Controlling your usage and not letting social media control you," Ava says.
Chrissie made a deal with herself.
She has to engage with social media before 9 a.m. every day and then she doesn't go back on until after 6 p.m.
"It's life changing," Chrissie says. "I feel more connected, I feel more calm, I definitely feel more connected to my husband and my home life."
As that connection to herself grows, the message to her online community remains strong.
"I want them to feel heard and to feel seen," Chrissie says. "If they're across the world they can be like - that chick in Palmer Lake, Colorado I feel like is my best friend and she's right here with me tonight. That's what I want."
You can check out Chrissie's YouTube channel here.
Follow Ava on Instagram at @avabeilke and Chrissie at @pureochrissie.