Feeling overwhelmed by the constant stream of advice on social media? You're not alone. In this insightful discussion, registered psychotherapist Katie Feder and brand strategist Ben Miles tackle the tricky question of how seriously we should take guidance from TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms. Katie, who specialises in emotional health and wellbeing, explains why our "mental health diet" matters just as much as what we eat, while Ben, known for his transformative work with major Australian and New Zealand brands, offers practical advice for creatives dealing with public criticism. Together, they provide a refreshingly honest take on governing your own life in an age of information overload.
We've all been there: scrolling through TikTok, Instagram, or LinkedIn and suddenly feeling like everyone else has life figured out while we're still working out which end is up. Social media advice can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes at us from all angles with the confidence of absolute truth.
This question was answered by Katie Feder – Registered Psychotherapist – who specialises in emotional health and wellbeing, and Ben Miles – Brand Strategist – known for his transformative work with major brands. Host Andy Wright facilitated this discussion as part of Never Not Creative's commitment to supporting mental health in the creative industry.
Katie draws a powerful parallel between what we consume mentally and physically: "Our mental health, like our physical health, is contingent on what we feed it. We all know that what we eat, what we consume, how much we move is going to have a direct impact on our physicality, and the same is true of our mental health."
The people we follow, the content we consume, and the ideas we let into our heads all shape our mental state. If social media advice is making you feel anxious or inadequate, it's worth questioning whether it's actually serving you.
Katie emphasises personal agency: "You are the governor – you must govern your life or it will govern you." This means being intentional about what advice you take seriously and what you let slide past.
If something isn't serving you, you have the power to change your consumption habits. Sometimes the best response to overwhelming advice is to step away entirely: go outside, take a walk, or engage with something that actually nourishes you.
Using a relatable food analogy, Katie explains: "If it's like a Big Mac, I would suggest that you don't eat it, or eat less of it, or just don't eat it all the time." Sure, that advice might feel good in the moment, but if you're consuming it constantly, you'll likely end up feeling worse.
The same applies to social media advice – a little bit occasionally might be fine, but constant consumption can leave you feeling pretty rubbish about yourself and your choices.
Ben addresses the specific challenge creatives face when sharing work online: "You're always going to get people that just don't like what you do, and you can't please everybody." This is particularly relevant in creative industries where work is constantly scrutinised and commented on.
He suggests reframing criticism as a sign you're pushing boundaries: "If you've offended somebody, then you probably inspired a million other people." The key is deciding what feedback to engage with and what to ignore entirely.
Rather than accepting advice at face value, Ben recommends actively seeking different viewpoints: "Try to look for the other side of the story... so that you can then have your own opinion rather than listening to one perspective."
This approach helps you form more balanced judgements rather than being swayed by whatever happens to appear in your feed first.
Remember, social media advice often lacks context about your specific situation, goals, and circumstances. Trust your instincts, seek multiple perspectives, and don't be afraid to ignore advice that doesn't feel right for you. Your mental wellbeing is worth more than any viral productivity hack.
Globally recognised brand thinker who’s reshaped major brands from Telstra to SKY NZ. Blends optimism with realism, champions diverse thinking & won a Fast Company award for G’AY MATE.
Registered psychotherapist blending Jungian & Eastern approaches with modern science to support emotional wellbeing. Works holistically, tailoring therapy to each person, now based in Australia.
Founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime & co-chair of Mentally Healthy, driven to make the creative industry fairer & more human. Believes great work should never cost wellbeing.
