Social media is a constant in our lives in 2020. When I realized how much time I spend on Facebook each day, I decided to resolve to do a social media fast. As my resolution, it has been my goal to fast from social media at least one week out of every month. A social media fast can change you in ways you never thought possible. Imagine feeling closer to God and your family, experiencing happiness in the moment, sleeping better, and feeling more positive. It’s a change that you will come to appreciate.
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Why Do I Need a Social Media Fast?
Did you know that the Addiction Center estimates that as many as 10% of Americans meet the criteria for social media addiction? So many people today have that uncontrollable desire to log in and check the same exact things that were seen 2 minutes ago. This can become so significant in an individual’s life that other areas of their life are affected.
“…as many as 10% of Americans meet the criteria for social media addiction…”
Imagine trying to parent when you struggle with pulling your mind from your Facebook feed. What happens when you are unable to get your work done on time because of the desire to scroll? Believe it or not, this happens more than we realize.
Stop Sharing Everything! Stop Nosing into Others’ Lives!
Social media addiction is a very real threat that we need to take seriously. We must realize that not everyone needs to know every detail of our lives. Not only is it dangerous, despite our attempts to secure our profiles, but it also pulls so much away from the moment. Even if you are careful about sharing your own information, do you need to know everything about everyone else? Why do we need to scroll mindlessly through Facebook as if it holds all the answers to life?
Most people realize that social media is not an all-knowing, all-powerful being. For many, it is a distraction. What do you need distracting from? In truth, these sites distract people from the value that is human connection on a personal level. There is no denying that there are benefits to social media – we’ll go over those later. However, is it necessary to distract oneself from everything else in life?
“…social media is not an all-knowing, all-powerful being.”
Distracted Parenting as a Result of Social Media
Have you ever noticed that your child is acting out more or seeking more attention when you’re absorbed in your phone? Do you really need to be a distracted parent? Of course not! Putting it away so that we can focus on our kids can be so helpful in parenting and relationship development. A true connection with our children, spouse, other family members, and even friends, is best explored through face to face communication.
Is it a Habit?
Of course, it is possible that you know that you don’t need social media. A social media break is a great way to expose that knowledge. If it is just a habit, why do you have it? Maybe it is your first reaction to check your Instagram when you’re bored. Evaluating why you’re bored and if there is a better way to cure it can be a big help in reducing the frequency of the habit.
Are There Really Benefits to a Pause?
Of course, there are some benefits that we can get from logging in to our social accounts. There should be limits that we place on ourselves in indulging in it, but that does not negate the fact that there are good things that come from it.
- Keep family and friends updated on life.
- Stay in touch with old friends.
- Communicate with people of similar interests or problems.
- Sell unused items or purchase used items at a discount.
- Market your business for free and connect with customers/ businesses easily.
Keep Family Updated
As an individual that moved halfway across the country from everyone I’ve ever known (with the exception of my hubby and kids, obviously), I know that Facebook can connect us easily. Not only can I keep my family updated on how my kids are growing and what they’re learning, but I can also see how my family is doing as well.
Stay in Touch
Staying in touch with my friends from high school and college is also so easy with social media! Imagine trying to keep in contact with 25 of your good friends on a regular basis when they each live in a different area.
Communicate with Similar People or Experts
You can also join mommy groups that allow you to learn about others’ experiences, blogging groups that teach you how to get more traffic, or even dog lover groups if that’s what you want.
Buy and Sell Goods
Facebook Marketplace allows users to sell their goods easily to other users. While there are other services that offer this, many people prefer to have it all in one convenient location.
Chat with Big and Small Businesses
Businesses benefits from the free interaction they get with customers and customers benefit from the ability to contact businesses.
All of these benefits can make taking a break from social apps difficult for some. Knowing these benefits, you may think that you don’t need to stop. Most people, however, can benefit from taking a step back from their social accounts.
Should I Take A Break? For How Long?
A break is something that everyone can benefit from. For a real impact on daily life, a week-long separation from any and all social media can be extremely beneficial. Others enjoy longer fasts, such as a month or the entire Lent season.
“A [social media] break is something that everyone can benefit from.”
Personally, when I get into a break, I tend to extend my time away day by day once I’ve reached the week mark. When something important happens in my life that I want to share with my distant family, the break can stop. My most recent week-long pause extended into 10 days. I’ve known others to distance themselves from their apps for far longer.
What Can I Do Instead?
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When you’re no longer constantly checking your phone, you might realize how much free time you have. Some people will find that they now have hours in a day that they don’t know what to do with…
Spend some quality time with your kiddos! Read new children’s books with them or color some fun pages with them.
You could color an adult coloring book if you especially enjoy it. Maybe try some self-care!
Take up baking – try out some great recipes and fun new appliances that you may have thought you didn’t have the time for before.
Have a one on one session with your spouse! Have a wine tasting at home for an evening date.
When you stop spending so much time on your phone, you realize how much you’ve been missing out on all around you!
How Can I Pause my Social Accounts Successfully?
There are numerous ways to help you to stop your use of Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To do so successfully, there are a few steps that must be taken.
- Pause or delete apps from phone.
- Block web access to sites on browser.
- Tell someone to hold you accountable.
- Inform people that you’ll be away from their reach. Give an alternate method of contact if necessary.
- Know your motivation.
- Set a goal.
Pause or Delete Apps
Easy access to the accounts can make avoiding it impossible. If it is a habit to click on that app, it is best to put a pause on it or delete the app altogether. If you feel that you may unpause the app for a quick check, deleting it will be best for you. It can easily be reinstalled when your fast is complete.
Block URLs from Browser
Even if you don’t have the app installed on your phone, it can be accessed through a web browser. Most phones have the ability to block access to certain sites through the browser app’s settings. Doing this can help you to stay on track.
Be Held Accountable
It can be so easy to fall back into habits if you don’t tell anyone about your plans. By asking that someone makes sure you stick to it, you can easily be reminded to stick the course.
Make an Announcement
Many people use their accounts as their main form of contact. If you are worried that someone might be offended when you don’t reply to a comment or think that you might miss something that you need to know, be sure to post your intent to take a break. You may also want to provide an alternate method of contact if necessary.
Know Your Motivation
It can feel impossible to stick to such a change in your daily life if you can’t remember why you’re doing it in the first place. Know why you want to take a break, even if that reason changes as you go on. Experiencing freedom from social media can be eye-opening and allow you to see the benefits of such a pause.
Set a Firm Goal
Have a set date in which you will allow yourself back onto social media. While you don’t have to log back in when that date comes, it is helpful to know your goal. If you choose to go above and beyond and set a new goal once you’ve met the first, you may find it inspiring to continue your fast.
5 Ways Weekly Social Media Fasts Changed Daily Life
1. I feel so much closer to God.
2020 has been a hard year. With COVID-19, police brutality, the racial divide, and general negativity in the world and online, feeling His presence has been hard for me this year. During those breaks, I spend my extra time on additional devotionals, more time reading my Bible, and watching videos on RightNow Media. No social media means I don’t have to see brothers and sisters in Christ hating one another. Instead, I stop and I listen to the love poured out from the God above. It gives me a perspective that I often forget when surrounded by hate.
2. I’m happier with no social media.
You might think you’d be sad going some time without it. In truth, it is a breath of fresh air. While I sometimes miss seeing the new updates on my niece and nephews, I know I’ll get to catch up when I get back on. It’s also so much better to be able to focus on the happy times with my family. I don’t have to let the evil in the world come within our four walls.
3. I sleep better.
My mind is so much clearer at night when I’m not worried about the state of the world. It’s as simple as that. Scrolling through my feed right before bed only puts negative thoughts and worries in my mind. When I haven’t spent my evening reading arguments between Republicans and Democrats, finding sleep comes easier. If you struggle to clear your mind of the world’s troubles before sleeping, try a no social media rule in your bed. It truly can help!
4. I have more positive thoughts with no social media scrolling.
No social media changes my mind so positively! It’s a great relief to leave behind the negativity and enjoy life. As a work from home mom during the virus, social accounts are my main source of interaction with the outside world. By spending all day focused on my kids and the evenings focused on time with my husband, there is nowhere for negativity to sneak in. It’s a great change and is definitely worth the break.
5. No socials make me feel free.
When I’m on a break, I don’t feel tethered. I stop trying to open the app (even though it’s locked out, anyway). The first day or two I find myself going to the app, but I set my phone so that I’m not allowed to open it. By the time the end of the week is around, I don’t even think about it. I don’t spend my day thinking, that will make a good post or that’s so cute, it has to go on Facebook! Instead, I live in the moment. My most recent break went a few days beyond the week’s period and I only broke it to share the gender of our third baby with our family across the country. No social media gives me the space to breathe and live.
How to Bring Back Social Media Post-Fast
It’s important to be careful about reintroducing social media into your life after a break. Whether you’ve been away from it for a week or a month, it can be easy to get sucked back in. To avoid going right back into the frenzy, the following tips might help:
- Set goals
- Use timers
- Stop notifications
- Remember how the break made you feel
- Be smart!
“It’s important to be careful about reintroducing social media into your life after a break.”
1. Set Goals
Set some guidelines on each platform so that you know how much time and when you want to use your accounts. For example, I allow myself 45 minutes per day on my personal Facebook and 15 minutes per day on my business page. I only use Instagram and Twitter for my business, so those are both at 30 minutes. Even with these goals, I rarely use all of my allotted time.
2. Use Timers
The same timers that you may have used to prevent your usage during the fast can stop usage after a certain amount of screen time. Use these tools that are available to you! Many apps can even grant you certain times of availability and block usage during the busy times of your day.
3. Stop Notifications!
Constantly being notified of a new comment or like can distract you from life. Turn off those notifications and only open your app during your appointed time. Clicking on every notification that comes across your phone can have you losing your daily allotted time quickly.
4. Remember How You Felt!
That peace and freedom that came upon you don’t have to leave. You don’t have to feel tethered to your phone. Recalling that feeling can help you to remember why you’re setting these goals and timers for yourself.
5. Be smart!
As with any addiction, it can be easy to fall back into old habits. Watch yourself. Monitor yourself. You may find that you have the will to avoid too much time on those apps by remaining in check.
Wrapping Up
Social media doesn’t have to own you. You don’t have to waste hours of your day scrolling mindlessly through your accounts, miss your kids’ lives, or ignore your spouse. Taking a break can grant you the ability to see without the haze! Give it a try – then come back and let me know what you’ve learned in the comments.