If you have ever considered quitting social media for a while, now may be the time. And while it may seem like a crazy idea due to many of us who are working from home due to the covid virus, it's actually one of the biggest reasons we should!
How many times do you catch yourself obsessing over the number of "likes" you are getting on Facebook?
How many posts do you scroll before you realize you have just spent a good part of your day on your favorite social media app?
Or do you find yourself posting every moment of your life for your family and friends to see, 24 hours a day 7 days a week?
A few years ago, that was me! I was obsessed with what social media had to offer, never realizing that I was also wasting a good part of my life online even when I wasn't working.
Over the last several months, I've stepped away from social media and have found myself a lot less stressed because of it. I no longer spend every single waking moment surfing Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and I love it!
If you have been seriously thinking about limiting your social media use, consider this:
You'll Have More Time To-
Be productive with your hobbies, gardening, or anything you have been meaning to get around to doing, but just never seemed to have the time for.
Doing activities that you really enjoy are much more vital than surfing social media when you are looking for something to do.
You'll Procrastinate Less -
Focus is a priority that you need if you want to concentrate on a task that requires your undivided attention like work, but is also a difficult goal for those with ADHD. When you limit the use of social media, you are often able to focus on the more important things in your day. If you must use social media for work, allocate a specific amount of time only and stick to it.
You'll Have Less Stress -
One of my biggest pet peeves about social media is all of the negative posts! People are constantly calling others out on social media platforms like Facebook and it's really depressing. We have enough stress in life, we do not need to add to that daily stress by reading posts that bring us down.
Mute, unfollow, or delete anything that isn't uplifting or motivational. It's okay to have a bad day, but if you are constantly seeing content in your social media feed that is always depressing, maybe it's time to re-evaluate what you see online.
If you are unsure whether social media is worth limiting, think about those times when it became a distraction.
Perhaps you went to dinner with the love of your life only to be called out about checking what's new on Instagram as you waited for your food.
Or maybe you decided to head over to Pinterest to look for that idea you had pinned for a project you are working on, only to find yourself distracted from that project because you are immersed in pinning other ideas.
If you find yourself distracted, then maybe it's time you considered taking your life back. Make that change in your morning routine by skipping that morning Facebook scroll and sit outside with a cup of coffee or herbal tea instead.
Take the time to focus on yourself instead of the negativity in the world. Starting your day at the very least without social media can be a welcome break.
If using social media is a must consider:
Setting Limits -
Create limits that allow you to be available for more important things in your life such as work, family, and fun!
Set your computer or phone on no notifications before or after certain hours. You could even take this one step further by putting away the technology including your phone during those hours.
Make it Brief -
If you must respond to an important notification, make your response brief and let them know when you can get back with them, then do it. Then, get off social media immediately after doing so.
Delete the Negativity -
Life is too short to stress over negative posts. When you are always seeing nothing but negative posts on social media, maybe it is time to do a little social media cleaning and keep only those who uplift and inspire you, rather than bring you down.
In the end, I hope you decide to reduce your social media usage. It is definitely worth the exhilaration you'll feel when you take control of your life.
