Social media cleanses are common. People type out a quick message to their followers saying that they will be offline and to contact them via phone. They’re back on social media a few days later as if nothing were amiss.
Now, I am certainly not bashing those who go on these two- or three-day social media cleanses. It’s a healthy way to take time for yourself and forget about the constant influx of information. However, my social media cleanse was a bit different.
One night, on impulse, I deleted the Instagram and Twitter apps from my phone and removed the desktop applications I had for them as well. I told no one about it and continued the week without these apps. As the week went on, I learned a lot about how I spent my time and the impacts social media was having on my life.
I became more productive.
Rather than scrolling on social media for fifteen minutes every morning, I took that time to get a head start on my day. I would make a better breakfast; instead of throwing frozen French toast sticks into the toaster, I would throw strawberries and bananas into the blender for an enjoyable smoothie.
I also started a new project to help a GVP organization called ZeroUSA in updating their social media with graphics and a content calendar. Rather than wasting time aimlessly scrolling through social media, I was using my graphic design skills to help a cause I care about.
I interacted with others more.
I didn’t need to check Instagram stories to see what everyone else was up to. Instead, I could make my own memories with friends by inviting them to go out to new places. Also, on the days I was with my friends, I would keep my full attention on what they were saying and not wondering about how many comments I got on a recent photo.
Social media lost its appeal.
Steadily, I noticed how I really did not need social media in my life. The appeal of scrolling through Instagram and Twitter was pretty much gone. Truthfully, I had no fascination with seeing what others were up to when I could be going out and doing exciting things with friends or on my own.
However…
I did end up getting Instagram and Twitter again, once the one-week mark was over. I do enjoy checking social media and keeping updated, but I know that it won’t consume me. If I need to get something done, I will put social media on hold and do what I need to do.
Since technology and social media is so commonly used, I know that it’s important to have in order to stay informed. But a social media cleanse every now and again really won’t hurt you. It will actually show you that social media isn’t everything and there’s so much more in life you could be doing.
Even if you can’t bring yourself to delete social media apps, at least monitor all that time you’re spending on it. That way, you can’t use the excuse of “I didn’t have time” because, well… you always do.