“We met at a local restaurant.
She tweeted from her Smartphone ,”Socializing is so liberating compared to being hung on Social media all the time”.
I liked her tweet and asked for the Bill.”
― Ketan Waghmare
Take a moment and ask yourself when was the last time you went a full day, from wake to sleep, without checking social media? If sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram disappeared tomorrow, would you feel empty and depressed? Has social media become an addiction for you?
If you answer yes, then please continue to read.
You should also read Addicted.
So often, I find myself getting overwhelmed with the kind of things I see on the media. Not because I can not handle it but sometimes the mind needs a break. We are a replicate of what we read, what we see and what we hear. If we continue to feed our mind on the negatives, it produces same effect. A number of people are constantly battling with low self esteem, seeing battles of who rocked the best outfits or acquire the latest car will only make them feel more worthless about themselves.
Some will say this cannot happen to them. The fact that it cannot get to you does not mean it cannot happen to someone else. We are not all wired the same. Unfortunately, some of us do not even realize we are addicted to social media.
I have once felt the need to delete all my social media apps and go into recluse just because of the way I was feeling at a point in time. But did I? Of course not. All I did was to detoxify myself from social media. While for me, I can not totally stay off because my work demand I am online but then I still need my sanity to function well.
WHY SHOULD YOU TAKE A SOCIAL MEDIA BREAK
1. It is False Reality. Many people only show us what we want to see and hear on social media. They edit their best pictures out of 100 and post just 1. They will take pictures in the most expensive restaurant they cannot afford, cars that are not theirs and even on office desk they do not even work. An average user will feel more intimidated about these things they see and use it as a measure to their own success and life. If you are someone like this, then it is time for you to take a break.
2. It Encourages Narcissism. Imagine you becoming a narcissist based on the amount of likes and comments you get and when this stops, you begin to suddenly feel you are no longer attractive or you are not writing the best posts or tweets.
3. Zero Privacy. If you are a social media freak who is constantly on the go on all social media pages, you will always feel the need to put your life out there which is not even a wise thing to do except you are a celebrity. Social media has made it so easy for anyone to tell you about you without ever meeting you or knowing you before.
4. It Sucks Up Time. There was a point in my life that I find myself achieving nothing at at the end of the day. Why? Because I realize I spend all my quality time flipping through Instagram pictures, Facebook posts, Twitter fights, Pinterest quotes, LinkedIn profiles…the list goes on and on. And once you become engrossed, you will not realize how much time has gone by and you have done nothing except maybe laugh and feel worthless.
5. It Promotes Segregation. I call these cliques. You begin to find writers only following writers, fashionistas following fellow fashionistas…If you are not like me, I do not like or follow you back and those unnecessary craziness.
Image from Web Africa
HOW I DETOXIFY MYSELF OFF SOCIAL MEDIA
1. Turn off notifications for my most used apps
I turned off the notifications for all my most used Apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Whatsapp. That way, even when my data is turned on, I will not receive any notification on this Apps and I will not be tempted to open them. And that way, I still have access to my mails and browser.
2. Block some peeps that distract or disturb you. While this may be perceived as mean, it is a temporary solution. And it is an option I adopt when I cannot sustain option 1. I block off people that creep into my sanity and that way, it is a bit difficult for them to reach me and when that phase is over, I unblock and we move on.
3. Stop posting. You want sanity and a break from social media drama yet you will not stop posting pictures. I am trying to understand you. People will definitely reach out to you when you do this, negative or positive- they will come. So to avoid this, just go mute for a while.
4. Turn your phone upside down.
I am sorry but I do these too often. Especially when I am at work or trying to read a good book or watch a good movie or I need to write. I hate distractions when I am writing or reading. I am sorry, I sometimes tend to ignore calls too, blame my introvert nature.
To successfully focus, I turned my phone upside down to avoid seeing the unending notifications. and trust me, phone is already on silence.
4. Don’t get tempted. Between me and you, social media is addictive and tempting. Rather than get carried away by its seductive spirit, eat, read books or give yourself a target you must accomplish before the end of the day. When you prioritize you activities for the day, it can help you stay a bit away from social media fangs.
5. Play music! I am a huge sucker of good music. I can literally do all things in good spirits when I am listening to good songs. My playlist means a lot to me. So rather than get distracted and unfocused, I play songs and with it I can do any other thing I set my mind to do.
6. Uninstall All Your Social Media Apps. If all the above does not work, my darlings, please uninstall that inconvenience. You deserve peace and whatever get in your way, cut it off. Until you are ready again, DO NOT INSTALL.
So there you have it. Do you feel the need for a social media break? Do you think you are too addicted that you hardly do anything for yourself as a result of this? Have you ever gone on a social media detox? Do not be shy, leave a comment below. Let other readers learn from your wisdom.
Until next time, darlings, blessings.
These points are all so true, for the past two weeks it feels like all I’ve been doing is using social media. A detox is greatly needed! Baby steps though
Author
Yes Amaka! Social media can really be overwhelming if we do not put a leash on it.
Thanks for reading dear ?
This is one area of my life I really need to pay attention to, this write up is a hit already
Author
Please, try a Detox ?? Thanks for reading ??
True talk sis ! I use social media as s comfort zone wen I’m tired of reading my kindle + eBook device. I see a lot of sense in all the points highlighted . while its not bad its also imperative we don’t become addicted to it.
Author
Exactly the point ?? Spot on sis!
Every point is a hit back to back. Thank you for summarizing my life in this post ??. Time to regain my sanity. Great post!!
Author
??? You’d be fine love. We are all guilty of this at some point in our lives. Good luck on regaining that sanity ?
Love the article this is the only social media site I participate in and it’s only once or twice a week if time permits. So many of my friends and family are addicted to a point it sickens me every time I hear the word FB, Twitter, or Instagram. We no longer know how to communicate face to face or over the phone like in times past. I have people that would rather spend an hour texting instead of picking up a phone and saying hey girl how are you! Society has gotten us so twisted and caught up in the hype.How many fights and deaths have occurred because it all started on FB. Each time I hear of one it makes never want to be a part of FB family….no harm intended my opinion and mine alone, I’m just saying! Get back to the basics.
Author
In all honesty I agree with you. Social media has become a lie we live. Sometimes, I asked myself the last time I called friends on their birthdays rather than resorting to leaving them a wish on their pages. You hang out with friends and 3/4 of the time is spent on your phone. It has really become a cancer we are serving and it’s no longer serving us as it was created for.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Brenda ?
Hands on tips dear. Well thought out
Author
Thanks dearie ?
its always a good idea to unplug sometimes and gain more clarity on life. Great post girl, and beautiful blog. do check out mine
http://us.blastingnews.com/opinion/2017/08/is-living-in-the-moment-such-a-bad-thing-001931269.html
Author
Yes! Very much needed. I’m checking yours out right away?
Hi, Debs, let me start by saying,welcome back. And what a way to make a comeback. This is a very insightful post.
On the surface spending time on social media might seem fun and harmless, but in reality, it is a cancer, an enemy of productivity. I recently had to cut back on the time i spend daily on Twitter. However, after reading this post, I feel like I’m due for a full-on social media detox. Pray for me.
Author
??? My prayers are with you Tolz???
Debs thanks so much for sharing this, I’m so much addicted to my whatsapp. Most times i just turn off my data but it doesn’t last for too long. I feel like the kind of stuffs i’m into require me to try as much as possible to be online always but if i’m to be sincere with myself, I think that’s just an excuse. After reading this, it’s right about time i had a social media detox. Isn’t it awesome to have you back
Author
Discipline and control is all we need to detox successfully. Thanks Karis ? It feels good to be back too?
All these points discussed are very valid. For some days now, I intentionally put my phone on flight mode; no calls, messages, twitter, Instagram or WhatsApp story and its going to continue like that for some days. Just to detox from social media as it is needed sometimes, like you said.
This post just reminded that I have something related to this in my draft when it seems like all my friends are doing great stuffs and flooding my gram and WhatsApp with the stories and I was wondering what exactly I was doing with my life. It was consuming but thank God i was able to learn about social media detox at that time.
Author
My dear, it’s very much needed. I’m glad you were able to read and grab a point or two. Good luck dear?
Very concise and apt post. We all need to detox as much as possible and get back to real life 🙂
Author
Yes Jacqueline, we all do ?
Excellent post. We need more of the real world and not so much of the virtual world.
Author
Very true, Eugenia. Thank you
Yes. I turn off my router and my phone. Great post.
Author
Thanks Rob. It’s really a healthy thing to do.
It’s an essential part of staying well.