If you do one thing in 2020, this is IT!!!
It all started with my typical social media “break on Christmas Eve. I always take facebook and instagram (this year tik-tok too) off my phone for Christmas Eve and Christmas. To me, those days are so sacred for our family and I only want to experience it with the people that matter most. Sharing pictures and the experience we have together does not interest me, as I really want to take in all of those moments. It always feels so good to take those days off, but this year it just didn’t feel like enough.
For those that know me, know I struggle with that balance. I love social media and how it’s connected all of us, but it can take away from so much. I really try to make it purposeful when I’m on the apps, but there are more times than I would like to admit that I have been sucked in. So while I was home with my children for over for Christmas break, I decided to take a full week off of social media—I didn’t go on my computer to check and I never downloaded it to my phone. I disconnected completely from it. Which let me tell you, was by far the best decision I could have made for myself and my family.
It made me realize how much wasted time I had. I have the Moment App on my phone which tracks how much time you are on your phone, as well as the apps that you are on. I am one to discuss with my husband often that there just isn’t enough time, well I just found where some of time was being sucked in to.
It made me think about why I was taking the pictures. This is one I never thought of, but picture taking for so many of us has become a different meaning. I used to just take pictures to capture the moment. I wanted to remember the days and have them to look back on. Now it’s to take pictures and remember moments, but also to come up with an awesome post along with it.
I didn’t feel as overwhelmed. This was a big one. I didn’t have my phone with me as much, which allowed me to think clearer which in turn lowered my anxiety level.
I didn’t feel like I was doing it wrong. I didn’t beat myself up as much as I do when I look on social media. Comparison is a thief of joy, and yes, I still work on this.
I spent more time looking at what matters most. Yes, I have a dream. Yes, I have a message that is so deep in my soul that I know I need to share on, but just because I have this on my heart does not mean that I need to post on instagram daily. It doesn’t mean that I have to share all of my life all of the time. I can’t for my well being and that is what I’ve learned from this week off. I talked to my husband more in the car while we were driving instead of checking on my friend’s lives. I looked in my children’s eyes more often. I had more meaningful conversations.
I missed catching up with everyone’s life. I love all of you, dearly, and I love hearing about what is going on in your life. I want to know more. I’m a life long learner, and love reading, researching, and finding out the newest and greatest item, recipe, etc, but enough is enough. There is a point where we need to take a reality check on ourselves.
A lot of these are difficult for me to admit, but I know for certain that I am not the only one that feels this way from time to time about social media. We know it’s just a highlight reel, but if we are on it too much, our thoughts can really get distorted.
I know so many of us have new years resolutions and changes we want to make for 2020. Maybe one of yours is to be more present with your family and loved ones. If that’s the case or if you are simply looking for more happiness and joy this year, I challenge you to take a break from social media—not just 24 hours, a weekend at least. Get in touch with what matters most.
So what is the plan now that I’m back on? This is tricky. The other day, i found myself sinking into old habits so I took the apps off of my phone for the morning. It’s difficult for sure, but I’m constantly keeping myself in check. The mindless scroll, is what I am really keeping in check. You can honestly log on and scroll for about 5 or 10 minutes and see the “important” stuff. That is where I’m drawing the line. I am making it a point to sit and stop sucking up the in between with other people’s lives, but instead be in my own thoughts and experiences.
Sending so much love,
Rachel Ibbison