Raise your hand if you know where your cellphone is at all times. If its not glued your hand its within close proximity to you that you can grab it at any time, right? Now how many times a day do you check your social media accounts? More than you’d like to admit I’m sure! Don’t worry; we’ve all been there. Incessantly checking Twitter, making sure your Instagram pic got enough likes, Snapchatting your life away…its an obsession. With the holiday season approaching, we need to take a step back. Stop capturing the moment and just enjoy it. Here’s how:
Step 1- Recognize that you have problem
It sounds a bit silly, but the truth is you’re not going resolve the issue if you can’t own up to it. Accept that you spend an exceedingly large amount of time on your phone/laptop/tablet. Once you do, you can get a handle on it.
Step 2- Remember why you have (Twitter/Snapchat/Instagram/Facebook) in the first place
Your original idea was to stay in touch with your friends, occasionally check up on what they’re doing, etc. Now it’s not so clear. It’s something between stalking old acquaintances and a fear of FOMO. Take a step back and think about the real reason you have “insert social media account of choice here.”
Step 3- Set Limits
Once you’ve owned up to that reason, think about how much time (a reasonable person) would spend on said social media. Think about how many times a day or during what time of the day you will allow yourself to check your accounts. Make a plan, stick to it, and forgive yourself if you slip up a few many times.
Step 4 – Managing Your Time
There are many things that you could be doing with your time besides being on your phone. Catching up on homework, actually making it to the gym, engaging in conversation with a physical person. Whatever it is, being on your phone has robbed you of time that could be spent doing something productive.
Step 5 – Following Through
Quick recap. You’ve accepted that you often waste your life away on your social media accounts, you’ve recognized why that is, you’ve set your limits, and you’ve realized your missing out on potentially amazing experiences. Now its time to turn those words into actions.
Should you lose your willpower along the way and fall victim to the wonderfulness that is Pinterest, don’t worry, there are other ways. Moment is an app that tracks how many minutes you spend on your phone each day and how many times you unlock it. It lets you set limits on your phone usage. You’re welcome.