IMO: why taking social media breaks makes me feel like my life is a movie again

This year I’ve gotten good at taking social media breaks. I'm proud of myself how I've decreased screen time.

Let me tell you about my new social media habit. I've been re-downloading the Instagram app (my social media vice of choice) for about 2–3 days, posting everything I need/want to post (i.e. promoting events I’m running, recent artwork, or personal holidays – very important, lol), and then deleting the app for a a while, maybe for a week, two weeks, maybe more. Then downloading it again, and so forth. And I’ve really been enjoying this cycle.

But I will admit, a part of me does love social media. It's useful for connecting with artists, creatives, expats, getting art clients and projects. I get inspiration for events and craft ideas, I stay in contact with friends and family, laugh at memes, learn about events, festivals,  museums restaurants... So I'm not saying I don't use, or find value in it, all I'm saying is that for me, I've found capping my usage incredibly beneficial.

Why do I take breaks?

Because I was looking how to be more productive, more creative, use my time better, be back more in real life.

The algorithms have become a bit too successful at keeping us in the app. In a way I miss the good ol’ days when we would come back home and check our Facebook on our computer, maybe only a few days a week. The rest of the time you just lived life and didn’t think too much about the online world. I miss that. I think a lot of us do.

I guess what my new social media habit does is sort of mimic that.

And going from being a scroller, clocking 3+ hours daily on socials, to now being off socials for weeks at a time, has made me realise a few things...

10 things I've noticed when I don't have socials on my phone

This is all my personal opinion and experience.

1. I  feel more in the present. I am more perceptive. I notice things a lot more, like birds, people, posters, moments, flowers things, because I am more aware of my surroundings. This makes me feel like I’m living fuller. And it makes life feel – dare I say it – cinematic.

2. I have better time management. It's made my remember that spending 1, 2, 3, 4, or even more hours a day, intentionally, or maybe even worse unintentionally, on social media isn’t normal. But now, without IG, I have the time and mental space to do other things without the temptation to scroll, for instance to read, and even write this blog - I could be scrolling right now guys!!

3. I do better things with my time. I spend my time doing more interesting things, even if it's just minutes here and there. For instance, I've begun scrapbooking at night, journaling when I commute, thinking as I wait for the bus, and reading in the loo. Haha. And again, it makes my time feel more meaningful. 

4. I understand my own preferences better and I think more originally. I think more for myself because I’m not consuming so much content, listening to ideas, reading comments, or seeing trends constantly. I get more authentic ideas for my art and events. I feel less pressure to shop or do things like getting my nails done (something I’ve recently realised I only have been doing for others, and that I quite dislike), or dress and look a certain way.

5. I rest better. I've realised there are more effective way of resting and disconnecting. For instance, having a bath with a book, really watching a movie (without scrolling simultaneously), going to bed earlier because I'm not caught up going through content. 

6. I can still stay in contact with people through the browser IG version. I find deleting the app from my phone naturally caps my usage, which has been very beneficial for me. If I need to check a DM, I know I can always use the browser to reply. Interestingly, I notice I don’t scroll when I use the browser version.

7. I feel overall more free. On the days I don’t have Instagram on my phone it feels like a holiday. Stepping away from constant news, people, trends, jokes, and updates brings a peaceful quietness.

8. I’m not tempted to open the app first thing in the morning, which makes it easier to write my Morning Pages (like journaling) and connect with myself. I write for about 15 minutes about how I’m feeling, what’s happening around me, or my thoughts about the day. I’ve found this to be a time I value so much now; it’s a great way to start the day. Its impact is so much higher than opening IG and scrolling as soon as my alarm goes off.

9. It's benefitted my overall mental health and my perception of self. I am not comparing myself al the time, or my house, my follower count, my career, my holidays or artwork - with socials it can happen even without you realising. But I am more engaged in real life, enjoying living, rather than thinking how I look, about if my outfit is trendy enough, how I can make my dinner at a restaurant instagramable...

10. I connect more with those around me. For instance, I notice I'm more present just being at home with my partner and even my dog – like, I didn’t get a dog to just sit there and scroll next to her, right? 

What are my recommendations if you'd like to take a break from socials?

Firstly, don’t fear the browser. 

Deleting the app from your phone is a great way to take a break and just use the browser version instead. I bet you will really notice a difference in how much you scroll.

Secondly, don’t fear going completely off socials.

For a day, for a week, for a month, for a few months, for longer than that. Every time I have re-downloaded the app, or checked my accounts through the browser, the content stream continues like I never left. The world kept going, the DMs can be answered eventually, and I didn’t really miss out on anything. I actually only gained from taking a break.

If you are thinking of taking a long break, you can always share on your account that you will be doing that to give people a heads up. You could also give people close to you your phone number if they don't have it already. So in terms of communication it's all fine. 

Thirdly, don't fear connecting with yourself, or getting a lil bored.

You might find yourself feeling like you have nothing to do. But boredom is good. Sitting on a bench looking at the world, or lying in bed trying to sleep, is exactly when I reach for a pen and paper, or get an idea for a painting, or start thinking about new goals. Creativity and thoughts need space and time to come alive. 

And honestly, there's plenty to do outside scrolling. Maybe you've always wanted to read more, or cook, or do something else with your free time. 

Last remarks.

Even though I find a lot of value in social media, I want to keep challenging myself to be better with my time, more intentional and conscious of what I'm doing, being more productive and meaningful with my hours and days. 

I know by capping my social media use I can get more stuff done, I can be more creative and have more original ideas. So I will continue to take breaks, and maybe even longer ones...

I'm curious to hear what you think.

Have you also tried taking breaks from socials? Or do you feel like you can cap it without having to delete the app? Do you think it has more positive than negatives? I would love to hear your own experiences and thoughts on the topic.