How it started:
I realized recently that my anxiety was at an all time high. My smart watch has been telling me multiple times a day to stop and breathe because my heart rate has been high. I haven’t been sleeping well and have been eating my feelings more often than I’d like to admit. So, I decided to take a minute and dig deeper; to figure out what steps I can take to make me, well, a better me.
My first realization…
…was social media. Our world today revolves around what everyone else is doing; coworkers, celebrities, people from high school, acquaintances from college, you name it! I realized that I am constantly comparing my life and my accomplishments to those around me, saying things like, “I should be accomplishing THIS by now,” or “Why am I so far behind in life?” A few days ago I decided I had enough of this cycle, and made a change.
The Plan
When I first got my iPhone, it was the newest iPhone out there. So I proceeded to spend all day playing on it, figuring out how to use it, and exploring all the new “quirks” it had. I stumbled across the “Screen Time” tab under the iPhone setting, checked it out, and decided quickly that it was not for me.
Fast forward to my latest breakdown. I decided that I would allow myself some time on social media, (making excuses like communicating with my band, if my friends needed me, and “If I quit cold turkey I won’t even last a day!“) and decided to allow myself one (1!) hour on social media. One hour across all social media apps. “This should be plenty,” I told myself…
I was wrong.
My second realization…
…was exactly HOW addicted to social media I was (or, still am). On day one, I forgot I set up my restriction. I maxed out my ENTIRE hour of social media time BY NINE IN THE MORNING!! This was a huge wake up call. Once you hit your daily restriction, this handy little message comes up when you open the app.
I found myself opening Facebook or Instagram SO many times out of habit, or out of boredom. It was subconscious. I never realized how often I do this, how often I poison my mind with memes, comparisons, videos of America’s Got Talent auditions. It was insane and REALLY eye-opening. It was–and still is–really hard to break that addiction.
The results:
- Time. So many times I open an app and see my limit alert, and yes, first I groan. But after I realize that I’ve already wasted an hour of my day on social media, I glance at my to-do list. I check my planner. I make myself do something productive. I get SO much more done now!
- Mood. My mood has changed tremendously. I have always been an anxious worrier and continue to be so (this is something I work at every single day), but I find that I don’t feel as inadequate. I don’t feel like I am miles behind everyone else in my age in my career or relationship. I feel oddly..free.
Do you find yourself in a slump?
I encourage you to start your own version of my social media limitations. Heck, you may be stronger than me and can delete the apps completely! I, however, am not there yet. But…maybe I will be soon. Hopefully I can update this post in the future with more good news.
Simply, Morgan. 