Reading Time: 5 minutes

We often hear “Mind the business that pays you,” or, if you’re Jamaican, “Yuh too fass”, which translates to you are nosey or intrusive.

Isn’t that a little embarrassing to hear?

American creative and writer Quinta Brunson has listed 10 steps on ‘How to Mind Your Damn Business,’ a lesson learnt from using the internet.

She said: “The internet has normalised a tendency for those of us on it to always be up in each other’s and strangers’ business, and I’m not sure to what benefit. It might be bad for society and communication to get this riled up about what strangers on the internet are saying.”

Here, Brunson expands on how paying attention to one’s self is the true salvation and pathway to finding and maintaining the peace we all need.

Therefore, instead of concerning yourself with what your neighbour is doing, or who your ex is currently dating, she advises just focusing on YOU.

In a report from Vulture, Brunson made a cheeky comment saying, “If we spent half as much time concerned about our own villages, maybe the entire town wouldn’t collapse when one house was set on fire.”

Our Today here lists the 10 tips suggested by Brunson in an effort to teach you how to protect your sanity and energy while learning to co-exist in this new digital age; and subsequently the world, in a more diplomatic and healthy manner.

After all, do you really have time to sit and talk about Tanya?

You don’t have time for that!

Brunson’s approach to ‘minding your own business’ has been approved by scientists rating it 10 out of 10, guaranteeing that the list will lead to a longer and happier life. 

Step One

Are you about to speak on something that doesn’t concern you? 

You could do that or you can think about chores that needs to be done.

You can think about the unpaid bills before your light gets disconnected.

Brunson commented on relationships by saying, “Instead of talking about what Cardi should do with Offset, have you ONSET working out your own relationships?”

Consider taking care of yourself first, why don’t you?

Step Two

Does the word “selfish” carry a negative meaning for you? 

“Well, stop thinking that way. I am here to tell YOU that you need to be selfish!” said Brunson.

#SelflessnessWasSoYesterday

The more you think about yourself and your community, the easier it’ll be to stop caring about what other people think of you. 

This will lead to more freedom of expression and better actions on your part, which only work for the good of yourself and the people you know in real life.

Step Three

Unfollow blog sites. 

Right now!

Brunson said it, not me.

Step Four

Don’t give your opinion as fact on the internet unless you’re an expert.

Trust me, if you share an incorrect fact on a platform like Twitter, you will most definitely be eaten alive.

If you have a PhD in whatever the subject matter is, then go crazy! 

Otherwise, don’t tweet your opinion presented as fact.

Brunson said she finds that opinions are like glasses of wine: best shared with friends, best given some time to air out. 

Therefore, if you want to exercise your freedom of expression and you want to talk about something you’re not versed in, then be open and ready for the fact that you might get dragged.

Step Five

Is all of this just a little too hard to do? 

Then delete the Twitter app from your phone and download an addictive game app instead! 

Brunson said it!

(Wow what is life without twitter 0_0)

According to Brunson, Homescapes is the perfect addictive game to install.

“It’s this great game where you get to renovate an old home by winning Candy Crush–style games. No one’s going to call you out for being a hypocrite on Homescapes!” said Brunson.

Plus, it’s free in the app or play store.

Step Six

“I already told you to unfollow the damn blog sites. Don’t make me come grab your phone and do it myself.”

Here, Brunson reminds us again to unfollow blog sites that are unhealthy for the development of one’s thought process.

I think Brunson might be coming to Jamaica!

Step Seven 

Brunson’s 10 steps recommend that at the end of each day, put your phone in a drawer.

Today, smart phones have settings where the phone can give itself a timeout or just put it on DND (do not disturb), and take some well needed time for yourself.

You’re going to break this rule, and that’s okay, but at least try doing it tonight and tomorrow and a couple of days in the upcoming weeks and see if there have been any changes.

I dare you!

When you feel yourself getting worked up or feeling pressured by the different social platforms, just remember, drawer. 

The drawer is a psychological jail for your phone.

Step Eight

When someone does something that gets your blood pumping, or gives you the urge to gossip, subtweet, or be nasty, just write it down on a piece of paper and then forget about it.

Here’s a great thought, you can even burn the paper, literally. Burn away all that negative energy.

Step Nine

Evaluate why you care so much about what other people are doing on the internet. 

Is it because there’s something missing in your life? Are you projecting your own insecurities onto someone else’s digital presence? Are you trying to get in an online catfight?

Make it your personal mission to fill the gap in your life by finding a hobby that interests you; who knows, maybe things will improve.

Step Ten

Hang out with a friend and remember what it’s like to talk in real life. 

Challenge each other to talk about anything but what you’ve read on social media. 

#GameChanger

The COVID-19 pandemic did indeed subject the world to using digital platforms as the new channel for communication.

However, during the online communication process, some of us often get caught up in the cares of the world that can leave us mentally drained or afflicted with different anxieties.

Our Today suggests taking time for you all while truly reconnecting with who matters the most to you.