Users are thinking about it even when not using it. Their mood is changed when on it. They need to get more and more of it to get the same happy hit. They have fights about its use. And, when trying to quit, have withdrawal symptoms and often relapse.

What is “it”? Social media.

Now, before you tune out: No, this is not a sermon on the evils of social media. Like most things, it's not a black-and-white issue.

Case in point: After 9 months off social media, I'm dipping back in. Is it a relapse? A doomed-to-fail-test? Or an intentional re-engagement? I'd like to think it's the latter – but I can't be sure.

If, like me, you're unsure about your relationship with social media – whether to call it quits, have a break, or try to work it out – this episode is for you.

Tune in to discover how mental health expert Daria, Influencer Marketing Consultant Christo, and I are conquering six social media challenges to help you boost your creativity and mental health – practical tips included.

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Want a chance at an extra-special shout-out on the Inside Story newsletter? Then make sure to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts and you might just get featured! Not sure how to leave a review? I created a quick video walkthrough for you at creatinginthemargins.com. Can’t wait to hear from you!

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Are you an online business owner loving the thought of spending less time on social or – gasp – no time at all? But then this next thought immediately follows: “How will people discover me – won’t that hurt my business?” Good news: It’s not just possible, but even profitable, to lessen your death grip on social media! When I decided to make the transition, one of the first things I did was turn to online business veteran – and social-media-free entrepreneur – Leonie Dawson. She’s got a great – and inexpensive – course on Marketing Without Social Media that’ll give you 150 ways to market your biz off social! Head to tellonpurpose.com/socialfree to build your business and market in a more joyful and sustainable way.

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Featured voices in this episode:

Kat Brendel (she/her): Hi, I'm your host, a journalist + marketer turned podcaster + storyteller. After launching my first podcast in 2017, I was hooked. Since then, I’ve not only become a serial podcaster but have helped a bunch of awesomesauce people & orgs not to ride the audio wave, but to create their own as a podcast strategist. If making something that’s genuinely GOOD and not just a thinly-veiled sales pitch is what you’re into, we’re each other's kind of person. Explore working together by heading to tellonpurpose.com

Daria Kyrilova (she/her): Daria is a Russian-born, UK-and-Spain-raised Berliner. By day, she helps badass Millennials bounce back from tough experiences through coaching; helps purpose-driven startups develop great cultures by hiring the right talent; and helps folks improve their mental health literacy for topics like resilience, trauma, and burnout. By night, she is a self-taught cook and food writer who loves to prep food in restaurant kitchens and document her own culinary experiments on her food blog.

LinkedIn | Instagram

Christo (they/them): Christo, 28, energetic, active, mindful human queer & non-binary living in Berlin – even though originally French. Fashion, people, emotions & nature-driven. I work as...