Taking A Much Needed Break from Social Media

Over the last few weeks, I have logged roughly 6 hours each day on social media apps, not to mention the hours spent scrolling from my desktop.

Yes, I, like many Americans have been glued to social media during the election cycle and yes, like many Americans I was also looking for a distraction from all the noise. 10 years ago, I created my Instagram account and during that time, I have openly shared my life while mindless scrolling through millions of tiny squares of strangers’ lives.

It is not all bad. I do feel that social media brings out a darker side of most of us - a little bit of our greed, some of our vanity.

I think I just need a break.

I have decided that Instagram and Facebook are the biggest black hole in my life. Twitter, surprisingly, is not that draining. I use Twitter to promote the work my company is doing and to talk about things that I enjoy — like Howard Stern and TV shows - it is less curated, less focused on vanity, and a place that I feel like my most authentic self.

I have given myself until Jan 1st to stay off Instagram. It is pretty ambitious in terms of timing — 7 whole weeks without pretty pictures, without knowing what my friends are up to and what they are eating… it is a good cleanse though. I am enjoying it.

For now, I am reading books, watching TV, and doing all the things I would normally do but with a little more focus.

When I return to Instagram, because I will return to Instagram, I think I will set some healthy boundaries for myself and see if I can stick to them. Maybe limiting the number of hours I spend scrolling or only posting/scrolling on specific days. I am not sure yet but I am willing tot give it a try.