My Social Media Pause

Recently I decided to take a little break off social media. All Social Media.

Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn… the lot.

Why, you ask?

Because I was sick of the funk I had found myself in. The endless, mindless scrolling, not even realising I had succumbed to the habit until I was already 30minutes deep and stuck in the void of reels. Plus the pressure to be better at posting myself, especially from a business perspective. I had lost all creativity, motivation and enjoyment from using these apps and felt like a pause would be beneficial, if for no other reason than to stop me wasting time in the “un-real” world trapped in my screen.

So how was it?

Another great question thank you.

It was great. I very quickly gained a sense of freedom that I had been missing. From being unconsciously shackled to my phone and the fake connection it gave me, comparing myself and my life to those I didn’t know and those who were carefully selecting what they wished for the world to see. Instantly freer.

It was strange at first walking, eating, experiencing without taking out my phone to snap a pic for a potential post or story… but then the realisation of how sad it was to live in that way also hit and I was glad to reflect on this further. To not just enjoy the moment for what it is but for what you could make it seem on a constructed post to drive engagement… it’s wild right. That the fake world becomes the priority and negatively impacts your ability to enjoy and embrace the real world…

I started to take photos of things to genuinely remember the moment - pumpkin picking with my cousin and nephew - and not just because it could make “good” content. I also took less photos in general because I was taking mental pictures instead “click” (Parker - Friends)

I stopped picking my phone up to mindlessly scroll, just to fill time. Instead I started to think again… which might seem scary to some… but I feel like my brain started to actually wake up a little - its still coming out of hibernation as we speak - but I am starting to find a bit of my drive and creativity again, as my brain is allowed to be bored, have space and think without distraction. Can you remember what that was like?

I wasn’t habitually reaching for my phone for no good reason when spending time with other people. This is a huge bugbear of mine, but a habit I am also guilty of. So it was refreshing to actually find myself connecting with other people again on a level that had been somewhat muted by the thing that was designed to connect us more…. ironic right.

What now?

I initially only came off for a week… this has turned into just short of 3 as I decided to see out the rest of the month.

I only feel like this time has scratched the surface on the benefits of pausing social media usage and so I intend to continue to alter my usage of it but have decided to opt back in - I need to do my annual pumpkin carving competition after all and who else will be the judges if not social media subscribers?…

However, when I decided to pause I removed the apps from the home screen of my phone, not deleting them but removing the easy access. So now I have to go into the App store to access them, meaning it takes more conscious effort rather than it being a mindless habit, and this is how I am going to keep things for now (and not just because I don’t know how to undo it to have them back on my home screen…..).

I am returning but aiming to still reduce my consumption and participation. Hoping that this will continue to offer me benefits whilst allowing me to use social media in a more positive manner.

Cheese on Toast time…

Social Media can be a great tool but, just like anything in excess, can be incredibly harmful also. So please reflect on your usage of it. Ask yourself how much time you spend scrolling, how many occasions are infiltrated with trying to take post worthy pics, and whether you feel better or worse about yourself when you’ve spent time on it….

And maybe take some time off, to pause, detox, rejuvenate.

Limit your access, remove from your home screen, move the apps location, do whatever you need to to disconnect from social media and reconnect with yourself.

With that being said… head to my instagram later tonight to vote for the best pumpkin 😉

Happy Halloween!!