If you’ve been following my blog, then you know I’ve been taking a social media break since the beginning of this month. My original goal was one month, but it’s been going so well I think I’ll make it a bit longer. I’m writing this post as an update on how my break is going. So let’s get started.
I’m less anxious. While I’m a self-proclaimed bitch, I’m also a very emotional person, especially after having my daughters. While on social media, I would feel bad about not being invited somewhere, worried that someone doesn’t like me, beating myself up for not having as nice a body as another mom and countless other things. But deleting social media apps from my phone has helped me to not worry about things that are out of my control. I’m not constantly seeing the problems my online friends are going through, I’m not worried about how many likes or comments my posts are getting, I’m not worried about posting every meaningful moment in my life. I’m not focused on what I don’t have but feeling grateful for all that I do have in my life. I’m simply living, and I feel much lighter.

I’m more present. I’m paying more attention to my family and my friends. I feel better about not being rude by picking up my phone mid-conversation to check something on social media. I would always check my phone, while watching movies, during dinner and even at red lights, and that’s still something I’m working on. But having social media off my phone makes it easier since I don’t really have much to check.

I have more time to do things I actually want to do. I could spend hours on social media, flipping between apps, watching videos and so much more. It was easier to pick up my phone than it was to crack open the book I’d been wanting to read or to study for my personal training certification. Not to mention how long it would take to snap a decent picture of a great vegan dish I just made and also posting the recipe. It was eating up all my damn time. So it’s safe to say I’ve been enjoying all the extra time I have.

When I get back to social media, I’m not going to put the apps back on my phone, I’ll just check on my laptop. It’s a vicious cycle for me. After my breaks I feel like I have so much to catch up on and wind up spending so much time on social media and then realize it’s too much and need another break. So my hope is to keep social media off of my phone indefinitely.
I also need to work on not using my phone as much. I began replacing social media apps with games and other apps on my phone since I still had the urge to check my phone. But this was still a huge distraction.
My friend recently sent me a fascinating New York Times article about creating a healthy relationship with your smartphone and it’s something I’d really like to do. I don’t want to rely on my phone as much as I do. I want to enjoy my time with my husband and daughters, and time out with friends. I want to live a happier life, and I honestly feel I would be if my phone wasn’t constantly in my hand.
For now, I feel so fucking free being off of social media. And I would recommend everyone take a break every now and then. It’s an unhealthy escape from reality. My life is pretty awesome, and I’m happier living in the moment instead of posting it on social media.

-Toniann