Smartphones: an essential part of our lives. In today’s digital world, it may seem impossible to cut back on our social media habits. From checking every email that pings our phones to Snapchat and Instagram, these platforms have taken over a significant part of our lives. If you find yourself looking more and more at your phone and less towards those close to you, perhaps it’s time for a break from social media – take some time out!
Why Disconnect?
Although social media offers us many benefits, it can also have a detrimental effect on our lives. Try tracking how much time you spend on it daily – most of us would be shocked to realize how much more time is being taken up than expected! Think of all the things you could accomplish with that extra time, not only with regard to time but also content: am I getting sucked into drama, political discussions, or self-esteem-crushing comparisons often found online? Would replacing that content with good books, time with friends or just some self-reflection would enhance my life more?
Disconnecting from the internet can be a challenge. Short of going somewhere without reception, you’ll need to take some steps to do it yourself. Here are some ideas to help you break away from all that constant stimulation: posts, emails, and tweets.
Go Cold Turkey
Social media can be a hard thing to leave behind as it plays such an integral role in our everyday interactions and time usage. But if you feel ready for a break from social media, consider taking one during a period when you really want to focus on what’s going on around you – like when planning for vacation! Committing yourself to this period of time might seem challenging at first, but by the end of it all, you’ll appreciate all of the freedom your social media break provides!
Uninstall Your Favorite Applications
If you want to spend less time looking at your phone, uninstall some of your favorite applications from your smartphone. For example, if you find yourself spending too much time scrolling through Instagram, remove that app from your phone. Tell yourself you can still check in on Instagram on your laptop but not on the go with you, as cutting off quick access will eventually break you out of the habit of checking for messages several times a day.
Are You Missing Out on Notifications from Social Media Platforms? It could be time to review your notification settings so you only receive the most important ones. If email is a temptation, set your phone so it won’t notify you every time an email arrives. Disabling notifications for apps that don’t directly benefit your day-to-day life will ensure you don’t miss any important updates.
Cut Down on Social Media Apps
Focus on choosing just a few social media applications that take up too much of your life and delete the rest. You don’t have to keep up with every platform available – simply pick one and let the rest go.
Put Your Phone Away
When you know you need to focus, put your phone away. Going out with friends? Leave it at home; play at the park with kids? Put it at the bottom of their diaper bag; having a date night? Leave the phone at home too. There’s no need to bring your phone along every single time; taking short breaks can make it easier to enjoy life and those around you more fully.
Think Before Posting
Before engaging on social media, it’s wise to consider these dos and don’ts:
- “Do” post things when you have had time to reflect on what you’ve written.
- “Don’t” post anything when feeling upset or under the influence of strong emotions (both anger and alcohol can make otherwise intelligent people post foolish things).
- “Do” share things that bring encouragement to yourself and others.
- “Don’t” post things late at night when you could be sleeping
- “Do” consider the effect social media has on you
- “Don’t” allow an open-ended period in which you mindlessly drift to wherever it takes you.”
It can be challenging to disconnect from social media completely. However, taking time out to unplug online and reconnect with reality can help refocus your time and attention on what truly matters.
