Written By Fatima Cruz, CityHeART Creative Connect Intern
I never knew how addicted I was to social media until I decided to quit social media for a month. I had always wanted to take a social media break, but I had always come up with “excuses” to prevent me from actually taking that step. However, I had decided enough was enough. I was starting to feel more of the negative aspects of social media than the positive aspects that had pulled me in in the first place. My emotions were constantly dependent on what I saw on social media. I was constantly comparing myself based on what I was viewing. My attention span was decreasing more and more by day. With the social media break for a month, I was starting to feel different. I was feeling better.
One of the first things I learned from my break was ignorance really is bliss. At least, in this context. I was constantly experiencing fomo, the fear of missing out. As everyone was constantly posting one another, I was feeling left out. I was starting to question my friendships, my personality, and my worth. I knew that I should be thinking logically, but my emotions were overpowering me. During my break, I didn’t have to see the posts and stories. It made the time I did spend with my friends much more sincere as well as I no longer felt the pressure to post anything. I could simply enjoy their time without having the entire world find out. I felt less anxious over questioning my friendships as I am now placing more importance on in-person interactions.
Before my break, I was constantly looking at the “perfect” lives of other people. All their successes and enjoyments of life presented on instagram photo dump. I felt like I was falling behind in every aspect of my life. With all of my social media gone, those comparisons were one less stressor in my life. I was enjoying life the way I wanted, with no outside pressures. I wasn’t comparing my successes to others. I was enjoying my accomplishments at my own pace. Comparison truly is the thief of joy.
Social media was also stealing my time. My attention span was diminishing by every thirty second tiktok. I couldn’t watch youtube videos or movies with the same amount of attention that I used to. With social media out of the way, I got back to my hobbies. I watched around seven movies! I was going back to reading again. I was able to enjoy the other aspects of life.
During my month free from social media, I learned alot about myself. I learned that I don’t need social media. If anything, I felt better without it. I recommend everyone take a social media break. Even for just a weekend! It’ll serve as a reminder of what we sometimes take for granted or what is right in front of us. To spend time with family, loved ones, or just ourselves.