Stop swiping on Tinder, log off Facebook and close your Insta app…
Alright, hear me out. I love social media just as much as anyone else and am a very avid user of my Facebook, Instagram, Vine (RIP), and Twitter accounts. But infinitely scrolling through my timeline, jumping from pretty girl to pretty girl on Insta, and watching 128937 viral videos gets a bit exhausting.
It’s funny how when we want to relax and “take a break,” from whatever we’re doing, the first thing we do is whip out our phones. For me, one too many times has that “just a lil’ 10 minute break” escalated to hours, consumed by social media. And what’s worse than the fact you just spent 47 minutes creeping your ex’s tweets or binge-watching makeup tutorials, is that you don’t feel any better.
With social media, we often spend this time obsessing over things we don’t have and people we we aren’t like. We compare ourselves to each other online and end up feeling feel like a lesser person just because we didn’t go to Bali, or have those fabulous shoes, or get flowers today from that hot guy.
Maybe it is the MIT student mentality in me, but I appreciate moments of true disconnect and encourage others to do the same to keep a healthy relationship with media and technology. Going for a walk, grabbing coffee with friends, or working out without digital distraction can be empowering, fun and soothing away from everyday stresses. So challenge yourself to find time in your day to disconnect from it all.