Social media detox

Hi everyone!

Sorry it has taken me so long to put up another post. To be honest, I have been struggling with a few things in my personal life but I'll explain that in another post. I'm currently in a social media detox so I thought I'd share my experience with you guys. I've logged it in diary style so it's just raw and honest. 

16/03/19 21:00

Finally took the courage to delete my Facebook and Instagram app and block the websites on my laptop and my phone. I feel so bare without being able to constantly check my phone for updates but I feel almost relieved to not see flawless bodies all over Instagram and everyone's perfect lives on Facebook. Hopefully, I'll be able to focus on my uni work more now without thinking about anything else.

17/03/19 8:00

It's so weird waking up with nothing to scroll through. I'm lying in bed and I don't know what to do. It's like I've gained an extra 20 minutes because I have no Facebook to check and no Instagram stories to watch.

17/03/19 21:30

I have really enjoyed not being able to go on social media so far. I've been a lot more focused and I have so much extra time. I've also just started feeling happier and I feel like my head has cleared a bit and I'm more focused with things that are around me and more aware of how I'm feeling. I have also started reading more and it has been so enjoyable to just be able to relax when I'm travelling with my Kindle and read instead of scrolling through everything and continually refreshing my apps to keep me occupied for the whole trip to uni and back.

20/03/19 17:00

These last few days have been great but I'm starting to feel some of the 'withdrawals' or negative consequences of not using social media. I have quite a few events on in the next few weeks, however, I am not able to check the details and I'm also not able to invite other people to these events as easily. I'm also starting to get FOMO (fear of missing out) and I just want to see what everyone else is doing and what is happening in everyone's lives.

23/03/19 14:00

It has been so good to be able to think about other things like books and baking and (reluctantly) uni work rather than always checking my phone. I'm not even really looking at my phone to check it as much. Haven't really felt any urge to check social media but I am getting a bit restless just doing assignments at my desk all day. At least I have time to do some things that I can enjoy as a break rather than scrolling.

Final thoughts

Would I do it again?

Yes. I think it is so helpful to refresh priorities and perspective. I think it really has helped with my mental health and also to reduce my reliance on social media.

Were there any negatives to this exercise?
Of course there are always going to be times when I struggle with not seeing and keeping up with what everyone else is doing in their life but also as most event information and invitations are on social media, it has been stressful to not be able to check.

What have I learnt?

• That social media is not the be all and end all of everything and it's ok to not be completely caught up with everyone's lives. 
• That it can be useful with organising events and sharing things with friends but it isn't a popularity contest and I should not be seeking a sense of approval and fulfilment because it will never satisfy me.
• That most people post a summary of their ideal and best part of their life and often we don't see what happens in any other aspect of their life and therefore I don't need to be continually aiming to live life like 'everyone else does' because God has provided me everything I need and I should be eternally grateful.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my post. I hoped this inspires and motivates you. I don't really have a regular posting schedule but if you have any questions or anything you would like me to post about please feel free to message, comment below or email me.