Showing Up on Social Media When the World Feels Heavy

Some days, opening your phone feels like opening a firehose of despair. One minute you’re laughing at a funny dog video, and the next you’re scrolling past headlines about tragedy, violence, or global conflict. As business owners—especially those of us running online businesses—this tension hits differently. Social media isn’t just entertainment; it’s where we connect with our communities, build relationships, and run our companies.

But what happens when the feed feels unbearable? Do you pause content altogether? Do you keep posting like nothing happened? Do you speak up on issues or stay silent?

These questions are complicated, but they matter—because consistency doesn’t mean ignoring the world. Consistency means showing up with intention.

Why Social Media Feels So Overwhelming

Our brains were never designed to process tragedy, memes, personal development tips, and political debates all within the same scroll. When everything collides in one feed, it’s no wonder we feel exhausted and hopeless.

As Dr. Morgan Cutlip has wisely pointed out, no two people’s feeds look the same. For moms especially, social media often amplifies the mental load—content about child development, family dynamics, and parenting fills their screens. Meanwhile, their partners may not see those same messages. That difference alone can create tension, because your perspective online may not match the perspective of the person sitting right next to you.

This is why social media feels so personal, so consuming, and sometimes so heavy.

Should You Post During Tragedy?

One of the hardest decisions for founders and CEOs is knowing whether to comment on a tragic event. The pressure to say something—or to say the right thing—can feel crushing.

Here’s a gut check that helps simplify the decision:
👉 If you’re talking about it offline, it may make sense to talk about it online.
👉 If you’re not talking about it offline, there’s no need to force a statement online.

You don’t have to post about every crisis. You don’t have to weigh in on every headline. The goal is alignment, not performance. Speak where your values intersect. Stay quiet when it isn’t authentic.

And remember—social media is social first, media second. It’s a tool for connection, not a requirement to have an opinion on everything.

The Balance Between Humanity and Business

Let’s acknowledge the obvious: one Instagram post won’t end gun violence, stop a war, or change the entire political landscape. But does that mean your voice doesn’t matter? Not at all.

Your responsibility as a founder isn’t to solve every issue—it’s to stay aligned with your mission and your people. That means:

• Supporting your family.
  
  
• Showing up for your community—clients, collaborators, and friends.
  
  
• Helping your audience feel more capable, hopeful, and less alone.
  
  

That ripple effect matters. Even small acts of consistency and courage build trust over time.

When the World Feels Too Heavy

There’s another layer here: protecting your own mental health. If you find yourself glued to your phone, doomscrolling for hours, it’s not because you lack discipline. It’s because your brain is wired to search for safety. In moments of uncertainty, we keep refreshing, hoping to find the update that tells us things are okay.

That’s why boundaries matter. Create intentional limits around your news consumption. Step away from the feed when you need to. Give yourself permission to pause.

Showing up online doesn’t mean ignoring the heaviness. It means acknowledging it, being human, and still finding ways to serve.

Why This Matters for Brands That Serve Moms

At The Consistency Corner, our mission is to amplify the voices of brands that serve moms. And here’s why: moms are going to change the world. But they can’t do it alone.

By supporting founders who create solutions for moms—whether in wellness, education, coaching, or products—we’re creating ripples of change. Helping these brands show up consistently means more moms get the resources they need. And when moms are supported, entire communities thrive.

So if you’re building a business that supports moms, know this: your voice matters. Even when it feels impossible to post. Even when the feed feels unbearable. The work you do still makes an impact.

A Final Encouragement

If you’ve ever opened your phone, scrolled the headlines, and thought, “I hate it here”—you’re not alone. You’re human. And you’re leading in a time when the world feels heavy.

Consistency doesn’t mean glossing over hard things. It means showing up with intention, grounded in your values, and staying aligned with your mission.