Need A Break From Social Media? Here’s What You Can Do Instead!
Is your screen time getting too high for your liking? Here are some fun alternatives to spend your free time.
This is a response to Social Media Or Soul Media.
We’ve all been there before, scrolling through our favorite social media app without realizing twenty minutes have passed. You tell yourself that you’ll get started on what you need to do for the day after ten minutes. But an hour passes. If you’re like me, sometimes it can feel embarrassing to get distracted by social media to the point where you don’t realize how much time passes. It’s important to remember, though, that these apps were built to be addictive, giving you the opportunity of endless scrolling. Don’t feel discouraged if you struggle with this, you’re not alone! If you need a break from social media like me here are some ideas on how to use your free time in a better way!
Read a book. As I’ve written about before, reading has been such a great addition to my routine this year. Take time to explore another perspective and get lost in reading rather than scrolling! If you don’t have the energy to read a book, you can read an article (like this one) or a magazine.
Journal. Sometimes when we spend a considerable amount of time scrolling, we can be avoiding something in our life, whether it’s doing dishes or thinking about something we’re upset about. Journaling can help us think through what we’re feeling and allow us to reflect on our different experiences. Take a break from scrolling to think through anything from relationships to your career!
Go for a walk. Whether it’s a ten-minute stroll through your neighborhood or an hour-long hike, spending time outside can have a variety of benefits!
Stretch. Similar to going for a walk, stepping away from social media for a few minutes to move your body is a great way to take a break from scrolling. According to Mayo Clinic, stretching can decrease your risk of injuries, increase muscle blood flow, and improve your ability to do daily activities. If you’re in a funk and feel like you want to lay in bed all day on your phone, taking two minutes to stretch can motivate you to get moving for the day!
Write a letter to a loved one. Sure, being in consistent communication with your loved ones is definitely important. But writing a letter for them shows your love and appreciation more than a text would. Unleash the stickers, colorful pens, and creativity to create something special and unique!
The Creative Journey
It’s Midterm Season, What Have You Done For Self-Care?
My Relationship with my Phone Today
I Limited My Social Media Usage And I Challenge You To, Too
My worth is not defined by the amount of likes I get.
Every morning at 8 a.m., my alarm goes off, I roll over, and the first thing I do is check my Snapchat only to open a bunch of pictures of the top of someone's head, or the wall, or — my favorite — a black screen. This is something we're all guilty of, myself included. We all know that social media is becoming an addiction amongst us, so why do we still use them in an unhealthy way? Why are our friendships defined by who has the longest streak? Why are our perceptions of others based on the most perfectly posed presentations of people? Why is our self-worth dependent on the number of double taps or shares or comments?
My world used to revolve around social media.
Every time I posted a picture on Instagram, I would constantly refresh to see how many likes I had accumulated. The worst part about that is I would get upset if I didn't get any likes in the seconds between each refresh.
If I got bored or had some downtime between classes, I would spend hours just scrolling through the same posts, hoping to find something different.
So much of my life was wrapped up in the superficiality of social media posts to the point where I no longer knew who I was. I would see pictures of my friends who ended up at the same college and feel left out, I would see girls from high school joining sororities, I would see people looking so stunning and having so much fun, and I let that be the thing that influenced how I felt.
Social media consumed me. It made me forget all the wonderful things I have in my life. It made me value a photo opportunity more than just enjoying the moment for what it is. Let me tell you that a moment is no less valuable just because it isn't visually appealing.
I've recently started using the Screen Time feature on my iPhone. I set a two hour per day limit on my social media usage, and when that time is up, I can no longer open the apps. Since then, I've been spending more time face-to-face with the people I care about. I've reconnected with old hobbies. I feel less stressed. I stopped comparing myself to others. I learned to be happy with myself.
I limit my social media usage because all the time I've spent aimlessly scrolling through Instagram is time I could've spent going for a walk and enjoying the warmth of Spring.
I limit my social media usage because I value face-to-face interaction. I value hugs and laughter and all the other things you can't get from a screen.
I limit my social media usage because it hurts my feelings when other people are on their phones when I'm trying to talk to them so how can it be right that I do that to someone else?
I think about how dependent on social media we have become, and it makes me so grateful that the sun is too bright to see our phone screens outside and that the mountains raise too high to have good cell service. I'm grateful that my friends make me laugh so hard that I don't even think to check my phone.
So, I challenge you to separate yourself from your social media. Even if it's just for a day. See how your life changes.