What if I told you that scrolling through your Instagram reels is ruining your life? I ditched social media for 30 days, and what I discovered will blow your mind!
Social networking has indeed made its permanent mark on society, and we can no longer do without it in our busy lives today. Nevertheless, the regular notifications, status updates and the continued necessity to be connected and available can create stress and distraction. It might sound strange to some but a 30-day social media detox could be the best thing you could do to take a break and find happiness in the simplest things in life.
Why People Decide to Take a Social Media Break?
It may sound like a great challenge to take a full month without using social media, but the advantages of such a move are enormous. Several research works have associated high usage of social media with enhanced levels of anxiety, depression and loneliness. In this way, stepping back is helpful because it doesn’t let you be overwhelmed by the amount of information and the urge to compare your life to other people.
In addition, a detox can improve your cognitive abilities. Social media constantly feeds users with huge amounts of information, and it is hard to pay attention to some of it. That way you might get a superior attention span and be able to invest good moments, even hours, in meaningful dialogue and focused work than with phones in your pockets and to your ears.
Preparing for the Challenge
I believe that you need to have a clear vision before you start your detoxification process so that you have clear objectives. Think about what you’re going to do that is important enough to require you to take this break. Is it to enhance your well-being, perform better at work or be more connected to actual interpersonal relationships? Staying on track will be easier when you have a purpose to keep you motivated in the month.
Third, share the decision with your friends and other members of your family. But more than preparing for expectations, this communication can also build a safety net. It will be possible for some to wish to embark on this journey with you making it a group effort.
If you want to decrease temptation to the bare minimum then consider uninstalling those apps from your phone or even logging out of those accounts for some time. This action effectively puts something of a stopgap between scrolling and acting on the decisions made based on the scrolling.
Navigating the 30 Days
When you choose to detox, you should know that you will need to spend the time you usually spend on social media. Learn how to paint again, read books, take long strolls in the park or forests, or do anything creative. Interacting with the things that make you happy can help to improve your quality of life by a great deal.
Other practices that can be helpful at this time are mindfulness. Prayer, yoga, or just deep breathing can help bring you back to reality and also make you more conscious. The above techniques can help create some sort of serenity and ease any feeling that may surface during your detox.
Also, it is crucial to emphasize actual communication practices. Go out and meet people, spend time with friends or relatives, attend group events or just talk with random people. Real-life relationships can be fulfilling unlike what most people encounter or seek on social networking sites.
Reflecting on Your Experience
After the 30 days, it is important that you just spend some time and reminisce. Write in a diary about what you think and feel during the detox. What did you gain from yourself? What was it like to be off the social media platforms? This reflection might provide some useful information and provide you with a perspective on how social media affects your life.
If and when you decide to use social media again, it might be valuable to set some parameters. Designate certain hours for social media consumption, and choose a limited number of sites on which to post. It is recommended not to clutter your mind with unnecessary thoughts and noises which can ruin your fresh mental state achieved during detox.
It is a very insightful experience to put yourself on a 30-day social media fast if you can do it. It will allow you to stop seeking constant information, find joy in the mundane, or harm your mental health, as well as strengthen relationships with others. So why not take the plunge? If you accept it, then, who knows you can wake up one day and find yourself happier and with a purpose.