This week on We Gotta Talk we dug into an issue that legitimately vexes me daily. (You too?) Social media.

I love it, then I hate it, then I love it again. It’s the drug I can’t quit—not only because the work I do is so enhanced by the experience of talking to so many amazing people on social media, but also because I see the good side to it frequently enough to keep me coming back for more.

Rather hear us talk?

This week, I interviewed Jessica Abo, the author of Unfiltered: How to Be As Happy As You Look on Social Media, and we discussed how to wrangle social media to work for you, and not against you.

Let’s dive in!

How to Brand Yourself and Stay Sane on Social Media: 3 Things I Learned This Week with Author Jessica Abo and Half the Story’s Larissa May

1: Struggling to Find Your Brand? Phone a Friend!

I absolutely love this tip from Jessica: Email a close friend and ask them to give you five things they associate with you—whether it’s personality attributes or talents—and use that as a jumping-off point for pillars for your brand.

If your friend associates you with great beauty tips? Maybe that’s part of what your offer is! Or you’re the comedian at Sunday brunch? Maybe funny Reels are in your wheelhouse.

Whatever it is, you don’t have to use every one, but at the very least it’s a great exercise in understanding what your strengths on social media could be, if you decide to start an account.

2: Mute and Unfollow are Your New Best Friends

Look, social media sucks sometimes. It can be triggering, in either minor or major ways. I don’t know why it was such a revelation to hear Jessica say this, but you can always unfollow. If you’re not ready to fully commit to an unfollow, mute the account for 30 days.

3: If Your Teen Has Social Media, Ask Him or Her All the Questions

…and not as in, “What are you posting today?” But more along the lines of, “How does that make you feel?”

This is a tip from the amazing Larissa May, founder of Half the Story, a group that aims to empower youth’s relationship with social media.

There’s an undeniable link between social media use and potential for mental health issues, so that’s why it’s imperative for parents to not only check in on what kids are doing on social media, but also how it is making them feel.

Seriously, you’ve got to watch my IG Live with Larissa. Not only is she wise beyond her 26 years, but Half the Story is doing the real work to keep our relationship with social media healthy.

I highly recommend checking out the work they do. They have tons of tips for parents or anyone who wants to have a better relationship with social media.