One week off social media - what I've discovered

It’s been a week since I deleted some of my social media accounts, and severely cut back my time on the one platform I kept.

I thought it would be interesting to share with you what that experience has been like. My idea when I started this was to just have a break for a week, without any temptation. So I deleted the Facebook and Twitter apps off my devices, and then went on to block them as websites in case I felt tempted to google them for a peep (I was taking no chances).

I also created a time slot for Instagram, which I chose to keep active, giving myself an hour a day if I wanted it, to use for browsing and to post content for my business.

The first day was a breeze, I didn’t miss Facebook or Twitter that much at all, but I did find myself on a few occasions on the couple of days that followed, automatically reaching for my phone to check in and scroll while I waited in a queue, or for the kettle to boil. It made me laugh, and it also made me feel more than a little concerned. I laughed at the craziness of this addiction that has wheedled is way into my life and taken over almost subconsciously, and then I felt concern at just how addicted I’ve become to it all, a slave to the scroll, and I decided to look into it all a bit more.

I discovered that Leonie Dawson has also removed herself from social media recently, and she’s written a couple of posts on this over on her blog here. She’s also recommended a book which I ordered yesterday called How To Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price. I read the first page on Amazon and bought it instantly based on those first couple of paragraphs - sneaking off to the bathroom with your phone for a secret fix anyone?? Yep…that would be me…

You see, what I noticed as the days went by is that I suddenly had time. What a revelation this was!! I also reduced my overall daily screen time from six hours to just two in the space of one week, and I believe I can shave more off that. I’ve been reading more books, crocheting my Dune blanket and having more conversations. I feel calmer, present and more connected to the world around me and I’ve found that my creativity (which has been on a low burn these last few weeks) suddenly returning.

I intended to just take a week off from these platforms, but I’ve decided that I’m going to continue it. After a few days I realised I was no longer searching for the little blue buttons and I’d go make a pot of tea instead, or have a chat with my daughter or sister. I’m coming to realise that I am happier without these platforms, I don’t need to ingest a whole bunch of opinions, thoughts and news that in all honesty doesn’t really matter. My friends know that they can get hold of me on messenger, call me or meet me so I’m not missing out on anything essential and I get to know about what’s meaningful and important to me.

I am now thinking tentatively about running my online business with just a bare minimum of social media use. I have a wonderful audience on Facebook Business and my Instagram, and for the moment both these accounts are still active (I post to Insta and it automatically sends it to Facebook for me). I have decided that for the time being the best way for me to use them is ‘consciously’ - so I will outline a social media plan each week, create my content for it, post it, respond to comments within a suitable time frame and then leave. I will try this out for the next few weeks and see how it works for me and how it feels. In the past I’ve been constantly available to every notification that pings up, even late at night. I don’t like the invasive nature of that, and yet I’ve let it happen - I’ve allowed my phone to command my attention at ridiculous hours of the day and night, and I’ve obeyed and responded like an automaton! Things need to change as I see the flaws in continuing to live that way - I will continue to use this blog, my mailing list emails and my Kofi page as my main ways of connecting with my community (notice these are not social media but just good old internet based options) and am also keen to start up my Vlogs again over on my You Tube channel.

The main message I’m getting from this experience so far is that I don’t really need social media in my life. I have more time, and I feel better. Life feels slower and less fraught, I am more creative and have time to do things I enjoy or have been putting off. I am curious and excited to see where this new path leads me, and I’ll check back in with you soon to let you know how it’s going.