As the Social Media Editor at Cosmopolitan, Patty Camerota is a certified meme queen. “I like to consider myself the editorial hype man,” she says. “My job is to take the content we produce on the site and manage the packaging for social.” And whether she’s scrolling through TikTok for the latest trends or tweeting to the publication’s 1.6 million followers, Patty is constantly looking for ways to stay balanced while staying online. We asked her how she finds distance from her job, how she avoids social media burnout, and why it’s important to have hobbies.

How did you get your start in digital marketing and social media?
I ran a blog in college when I studied abroad in Italy. It’s called “Con Piccoli Piedi” which translates to “With Little Feet” in Italian. I thought it was poetic at the time. It’s somewhat embarrassing… but it led me to where I am today… It helped me get my first internship, which turned into my first job.

Social media jobs often require you to react to social trends and breaking news at any time, even on weekends. Was that an adjustment for you?
When I first started at Cosmo, the most shocking change for me was the influx in notifications. I was not used to seeing that red bubble having such a high number. As far as content, I’ve gotten it down to a science at this point by prepping as much as possible. Social media is a 24-hour job, and I have to be prepared for whatever might happen…. prepping images and copy goes a long way.

What about the content you can’t prepare for?
It’s tough when news breaks… I think [finding balance] is something all social media editors work on. But I try to remind myself that at the end of the day, social media is a tool we use and it’s not a reflection of who we are or our success.

How has your relationship with social media changed since taking this job?
I’m constantly plugged in for work, so my own personal use of social media has died down a bit. I used to be very concerned with my aesthetic and my audience, but now I look at it as, “How can I impact my small community?” Maybe I’m not posting the best travel picture, but I can tell a beautiful, personal story.

What are your tips for dealing with burnout?
Delete the apps or turn off the notifications. I think it’s really smart to re-evaluate the way notifications are served to you. Especially when you get nonstop, scary news alerts. That, or limit your screen time.

Have you seen a shift in the way people are posting?
I think now we’re seeing people drop that perfection and curation and people are being more authentic. It’s a breath of fresh air. Personally, I created a finsta as a way to have an account that only serves me and not a brand. I try to split those accounts, and use my private account to follow things I really love.

What’s your favorite thing to do that’s not online?
I love to cook and love to eat. I know that’s not unique, but I love working from a recipe. (I love to make anything that involves pasta. My grandmother’s sauce is the best.) Cooking is so hands-on and activates all the senses. It’s my way of detaching from the screen. I think it’s so important to have true hobbies. When I’m cooking, I’m not thinking of ways to monetize it.

Quick: what do you do to unwind after a long day?
I do my skincare routine, which sounds ridiculous, but it calms me.