5 Signs That It’s Time for a Social Media Detox
Social Media Detox. Let’s face it, we all love social media. Some of us love social media because it connects us to our friends and family, others just enjoy the pretty pictures, and sadly there are some that just plain love it for the drama. But we’re not about the drama, right? The fact that you’re here tells me that you’re about more, about love, light, and positivity.
During the month of November many people unfriended friends and family, because of the anger and hate that was spread all over Facebook. People were UNFRIENDING family. But, maybe they weren’t in the wrong to do so, maybe what they did is exactly what they needed, and perhaps you do too.
Here are 5 Signs You May Need a Social Media Detox
1. If You’re Losing Valuable Time
When you realize you’ve lost hours of your day scrolling through others’ lives without living you own, it’s time. Imagine the time that can be gained by taking back those 4-5 30 minute social media scrolls a day. That time can be spent doing all the things you love. Heck, if needed you can take a picture of those things and share it later, but LIVE it now.
2. You Can’t Enjoy the Moment Without Taking THE Best Picture to Share
Live in the moment!! You have to enjoy life. Don’t put the extra unneeded stress of Pinterest perfect perfection on your life. Life is beautiful, fun, messy, and unscripted, so if you must share it be real. You don’t have to share right away, your friends are totally okay with you living your life and sharing it with them later.
3. If You Are Depressed = Time for a Social Media Detox
It turns out social media can make you depressed. A team of researchers found that social comparison is responsible for many social media users’ depression. When you are constantly comparing your friends’ highlight reels to your own life, you may tend to get depressed and slightly envious. This is certainly the time to step back and notice your own life, what you have and that you’re comparing highlight reels to real life. Not everyone is going to post the day-to-day humdrum moments of their lives. What garners more likes: folding laundry while watching TV in jogging pants or vacation pictures? Did you answer vacation? Of course you did, and do you know the definition of vacation?
: a respite or a time of respite from something :intermission
2a: a scheduled period during which activity (as of a court or school) is suspendedb: a period of exemption from work granted to an employee
3: a period spent away from home or business in travel or recreation had a restfulvacation at the beach
4: an act or an instance of vacating
Notice the words: respite, time, period, instance. These words do not represent life, but times in our lives. Meaning you cannot compare someone’s period of time to your daily life, it just doesn’t add up. This is the right time to step away from social media and enjoy your surroundings. There is life in nature.
4. When You Begin to See Your Friends as Competition
To piggyback on the last reason, depression and social media comparison, competition is another factor to consider. Because of the constant comparison amongst social media friends (and even yourself), you begin to find yourself wanting to one up them (and your past posts), this is not good for you or your friendship. When you start to feel you are always in a state of competition you’re not at ease. This uneasiness throws you off balance sending you in a place of anger, anxiousness, and yes, depression.
5. You Can’t Get on Social Media Without Fighting
If you’re constantly fighting with people online then it’s probably a good time to take a break. Although getting your point across isn’t completely bad it’s also not good. When you start to rev yourself up every time you get online it’s not good for you heart and it’s certainly not positive. But wait! I’m trying to spread a positive message. But are you? Can you share a positive message by being negative? If you’re fighting and becoming angry, it’s possible that your positive message is now lost because you’ve become angered and unaligned with the message for the sake of winning.
