Published Fri, Jan 16, 1:17 PM

S1 E4

00:00 Introduction to Digital Affirmations
02:06 The Power of Affirmations
08:00 Practical Application of Affirmations

FULL TRANSCRIPT EPISODE THREE

Schnelle Acevedo (00:00)
It’s Schnelle Acevedo and welcome to a different kind of Smart with Screens episode. Today we’re doing something a little unusual, digital affirmations. I know, I know. Affirmations can feel a little woo-woo, but hear me out. We spend hours every day consuming content that is designed to make us feel inadequate, anxious, or like we’re missing out. What if we spent just a few minutes actively countering that messaging?

This is a short episode, just affirmations that you can come back to when you need them for yourself, for your kids, or for anyone trying to have a healthier relationship with technology. Let’s get into it. But before we start, let me tell you why I’m doing this. In my workshops, I teach mechanics of how algorithm works. Remember episode two, how data gets collected and how platforms manipulate behavior. That’s the analytical side, but there’s an emotional side too.

The feelings that come up when you’re scrolling, the comparison, the FOMO, the sense that everyone else has it figured out except you.

But there’s an emotional side too. The feelings that come up when you’re scrolling, the comparison, the FOMO, the sense that everyone else has it figured out except you. Those feelings are real and they’re designed to be real because emotional responses drive engagement. So if we’re being intentionally manipulated,

So if we’re being intentionally manipulated to feel certain ways, why not be intentional about countering those feelings? These affirmations are not magical. They won’t fix everything, but they can help you reset, refocus, and remember what’s actually true, not what the algorithm wants you to believe. You can listen to this episode when you’re feeling overwhelmed by social media. You can share specific affirmations with your kids. You can even screenshot them and keep them as reminders.

Ready? Let’s go.

I’m going to read each affirmation and pause afterwards so that you can either enjoy it quietly or repeat it out loud to yourself.

Let’s begin.

What I see online is a highlight reel, not a whole life. Everyone has struggles I don’t see.

My worth is not determined by likes, followers, or how I look in photos.

My worth is not determined by likes, followers, or how I look in photos.

Comparison steals my joy. can admire, comparison steals my joy. I can admire others without diminishing myself.

I am exactly where I need to be right now.

Missing an event, trend, a conversation does not mean I’m missing my life.

I cannot be everywhere and that’s okay. Being present where I am is enough.

I am learning to have a healthy relationship with technology. This takes time.

Using my phone does not make me weak or undisciplined.

I can enjoy technology and also set boundaries with it.

I do not need to perform my life for an audience.

I can share what feels authentic and keep the rest private.

I can share what feels authentic and keep the rest private.

My value exists whether or not anyone sees it, likes it, or validates it.

I cannot consume every piece of news, every opinion, every update, and that’s okay.

I can care about the world without carrying all of its weight.

I can be informed without being overwhelmed.

And this one is for my parents:

I am doing my best in a situation no generation has faced before.

I don’t need to have all of the answers about technology and parenting.

My kid’s relationship with technology will not be perfect and that’s okay.

I can model healthy tech use even when I’m struggling with it myself.

Those are the affirmations. You might feel silly saying them out loud and that’s okay. You might not believe all of them right away and that’s okay too. But the point isn’t to magically fix your relationship with technology by repeating some words. The point is to actively counter those messages that you’re getting all day, every day from platforms designed to make you feel inadequate. You are being told you’re not enough. You’re missing out. Everyone else is better.

Prettier, more successful, more put together. These affirmations are saying that’s not true and you don’t have to believe it. So here’s what I want you to do. Pick one or two affirmations that resonated with you, write them down, put them somewhere you’ll see them, your phone background, your bathroom mirror, a sticky note on your laptop. And when you find yourself in that comparison spiral, that BOMO panic, that doom scroll fog, read them, say them out loud if you have to. Remind yourself what’s actually true. And for parents, share the teen affirmations with your kids. Don’t make it a big thing. Just say, hey, I heard this. I thought you might like it. Let them take what they need. And for kids, if this helps, please save this episode. Come back to it when social media is making you feel bad about yourself.

You are not alone in feeling this way and you don’t have to let the algorithm tell you who you are.

This was a quick one, but I hope it was helpful. In the next episode, we’re getting back to the hard stuff. We’re going to talk about individualized digital needs and why a one size fits all approach does not work for every kid. But for now, take a breath, put your phone down if you need to. Remember that you’re more than your screen time, your follower count, and what you saw online today. I’m Schnelle Acevedo.

Let’s get smart with screens and let’s be kind to ourselves while we do it. Talk soon.