After reading the book Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport, I decided to take an intentional 30 days off social media. I think social media can be a great tool, but for me, it gets addicting VERY quickly.
I read Digital Minimalism while completing a Contentment Challenge. This book fit perfectly with my search for a more simplified and content life.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
The book goes over the history of social media, and how it was created to be addicting. The tech companies are finding ways to keep you engaged on social media for longer, giving you a dopamine hit now and again so you stay on the app. Its no wonder mental health issues are on the rise in adolescence!
Newport lays out a path to take a 30 day break from technology devices. You get to pick the parameters as to what that will look like, depending on your job, etc. After the 30 days is up, you bring back the technology that will support something you deeply value. You must also decided WHEN and HOW you will use it. For example, will you only get on Instagram once per week to keep up with photos of friends and family?
The Digital Parameters I set up
During the 30 day Digital Declutter:
- NO Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest, unless I needed to look up a recipe. I stayed off of all other social media platforms as well.
- Once a week: check email and balance my bank account
- Podcasts: listen to while in the bath or driving alone
- Monthly subscriptions: log on once a month to complete my order.
- Blog: 1 post a month, 1 newsletter a month
- TV: no more than 1 show a night. Weekends are flexible.
- NO phone: 8:30pm-7:00am
- Phone use: No personal “work” when I’m with my kids. Texts and calls at downtime (unless urgent).
- Keep my phone on the counter, unless needed.
Reflections after month 1:
Being off social medial felt great! My need for posting went away. I did not miss Instagram and my constant comparison was minimized. My spending habits got better because I wasn’t spending money on things I was influenced to buy when I was on social media.
Being off social media gave me more time to focus on my health. I was able to experiment with what works and doesn’t work with MY body, rather than thinking that because something was “healthy” it should work for me. I really learned the importance of bio-individuality!
I checked my email more than normal. I think I was trying to fill the void of being off social media. However, this wasn’t necessarily a bad thing because I ended up unsubscribing from almost all the influencer emails I was receiving, along with other clutter. It GREATLY eliminated the number of emails I got in a day.
Finding time to connect with family and friends was tricky. I was used to connecting through social media, so I felt like connections took a bit of a hit during month 1.
I used to be a Podcast junkie! I wanted to learn ALL THE THINGS. Although I did learn a lot, it was the constant noise and information overload that left me feeling more stressed than relaxed. Limiting podcasts during month 1 felt so so good. I listened to a podcast 1-2 times a week, max!
Only watching 1 show a night during the week gave me time to connect with my husband, but then it also gave me time to read before bed, resulting in better sleep!
After the first month, I still felt like I was on my phone more than I wanted to be. I didn’t do the best job at leaving my phone on the counter as I hoped I would. This is something I want to improve on in the future.
My anxiety has greatly reduced!
What I want to change for the future months: only look at email once a day, put my phone away at 8 pm each night.
What I want to continue for the future months: stay off social media, budget once a week, 1 show a night with flexible weekends, limit podcasts and work on 1 blog post and 1 newsletter a month.
Social Media Update!
After being off Social Media for 5 months… (the good and the bad)
- I feel more connected to my family
- I feel more connected to myself
- TV shows are enjoyable again! I actually know what’s going on when my husband and I watch a show. No more Instagram surfing while “watching” a show.
- I have more time to do things I enjoy!
- I started online school through IIN (Institute of Integrative Nutrition)
- I play with my kids more
- My husband and I have made some big decisions we were putting off.
- I don’t spend as much money on impulse buys from influencers
- I don’t take as many pictures
- I’ve lost touch with people I used to connect with on social media.
Overall, the positives outweigh the negatives. I’ve hopped on and off social media recently to check things out, and each time I fall into the same time trap.
Maybe in the future I’ll be back on regularly, but for now, I’m going to enjoy this last year with my little preschoolers before they start kindergarten. =)
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