Media-less Month

As some of you may know, I just did a social media-less month. It wasn't a super thought-out and analyzed decision. However, I found myself in an unhealthy place and knew I needed to do something about it.

Maybe you can relate to where I was. Maybe not. I was spending a ton of unnecessary time scrolling through feeds and agonizing over what to post. I couldn't go somewhere without trying to find the perfect place and perfect angle for the perfect post. It's honestly ridiculous thinking about it. My life is interesting to me, regardless of whether or not social media validates that. And to be honest, I found myself with an unneeded level of anxiety and opted for a month away to alleviate it.

So a couple of observations. This wasn't particularly a more spiritual time in my life than others. I still found ways to kill time (Netflix. Duh). I downloaded a dumb game on my phone and threw away some time playing it. I don't find myself a much holier version because of a month away from the nonsense.

However, there are some glaring benefits. I am less irritated with people. As I wasn't on Facebook, I didn't encounter any obnoxious posts that ticked me off. I didn't fight off the urge to unfriend someone I actually like in real life, because I wasn't watching them spew rude comments.

I also became more present. Sometimes I even left my house without my phone. Instead of hanging out with people and mindlessly looking at the screen, I was actually with them. In fact, there were a few times where I would be hanging out with friends and watch them tune out of our time together and into their phones. It made me wonder how many times I had been guilty of doing the exact same thing.

Additionally, I have healthier levels of interaction with the people in my life. I didn't have an Instagram story to tell me what they were doing every hour of the day, or what kind of coffee they were drinking that morning. I think life is better this way. We've promoted a bit of a narcissistic society that I was a whole-hearted participant in.

Lastly, and probably most importantly, I have more peace. Coming back into social media, I don't feel the compulsive need to start my day with Instagram. In fact, I'm usually up and going for a few hours before I look at anything. It's refreshing not to be tied to a screen.

Now don't get me wrong. I'm not permanently shunning social media (obviously). I do however think I've come away from this month with a healthier view of it. And I would encourage a break to anyone who needs a re-calibration of their priorities. You won't die. The world will go on and you will still be a part of it, I promise. Also, I've learned I can go outside without people knowing I #LoveNature. It's good for us. Seriously.