Social media detox… Yes, it’s officially a thing. After quite a long break (Oh, exams!) I finally return to my usual writing schedule. My absence here and on social media entailed many interesting introspections.
First, I was once again convinced that if I am not checking social media every day, I will not miss anything insanely important. I am sure that all genuinely significant events in my friends’ lives I will not miss since I am planning to be invited to their weddings and baby showers;).
As a student, I was also surprised at how much better my concentration became without distraction on social media. One might say that a few minutes on Instagram will not damage anything, but instead, will be a pleasant distraction during a stressful period. well, maybe for some people… My observations show that in periods of preparing for exams my tired eyes need some fresh air or a quick nap instead of more screen time.
It’s far beyond just studying. Being constantly online affects many spheres of our lives…It is so easy to lose the fine line between reality and the imaginative world of social media which can originate destructive thoughts. It worries me.
After I deliberately spent several days offline, I was able to enjoy time with my family fully (for the first time in a long period!), I also saw many friends and have in-depth talks with them, instead of exchanging short messages. Being outside, I was honestly distracting myself from thinking about how cute something will look on Instagram (can you imagine?) In a few days, I found how beneficial is not to be distracted by the camera of the Instagram stories; the world is too beautiful. I was simply wandering around the park, enjoying the scents of flowering trees, watching yellow ducklings on the lake, quacking and hurrying after their confident mother. I was counting picturesque sunsets with my husband and was fully engaged in Hollywood movies with twisted plots. I finally finished the book I had started a long time ago. I refreshed my memories about how to feel, well, bored. With all available devices, I realized that I probably have not experienced this feeling since childhood.
It seems that in an endless stream of information, it becomes increasingly difficult to understand what is essential and what is not. Choking in it, we do not have time to “digest” our impressions, emotions, and thoughts; we do not have time to reflect. If we do not stop to smell the roses, precious time flies by unnoticed and unconsciously.
I want to highlight that here I share only my observations and experience and do not urge to abandon social media once and for all. I should also say that I am incredibly grateful to have my accounts on Instagram and Facebook and be a part of a remarkable creative community. I personally adore the unique opportunity to connect with people from other continents, to be inspired by their ideas, and to learn new things. But, in my opinion, to maintain the internal balance, a measure is needed…just like with chocolate :). And this “measure” needs to be determined personally.
I have recently limited my social media time. Also, a few days a month, usually on Sundays, I try to arrange a social media and sometimes full technological detox (while it turns out with varying success, but I sincerely try). These detox Sundays allow me to plunge back into reality and immerse myself in the present moment, feeling and appreciating its uniqueness.
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What are your thoughts on social media detox?
I will be happy to hear from you!
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Much love,
Zhenya xxo
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