I Tried Social Media Detox for 30 Days – Here is What I Learnt

Hello to you!

Welcome to today’s newsletter. I have become a lot busy lately. So, I figured I could do a weekly newsletter instead of a Biweekly newsletter. I hope you understand.

Do you think you are addicted to social media? I thought I wasn’t. Shock on me! Read on:

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Is there anything more pervasive than social media?

There is nothing more pervasive in modern life than social media, methinks! It seems these social media companies have mastered the art of messing with our neurotransmitters to the point of addiction.

From the moment we wake up to the time we go to bed, we find ourselves endlessly scrolling through news feeds, sharing life's moments, and seeking validation through likes and comments.

However, amidst the constant barrage of notifications and virtual interactions, I found myself questioning the true value of social media in my life. So, I needed to reevaluate my priorities and shape my values.

The motivation? I was born a time like 4 weeks ago today, in the years before the dot-com bubble

See, the beginning of this month was my birthday. I know! You won’t see it on my feed. Sorry!

This birthday was like no other. I didn’t post about it, I didn’t do anything public about it, I just let it happen like any other day.

I thought no one would know, or reach out, but what is Facebook? Apparently, the platform notifies every one of your friends that on a-day-such-as-this, you made your first cry!

Anyway, instead of the usual cakes, buckets of crispy KFC chicken, and unhealthy doses of Coke soda, I decided to do a detox. From social media. For 30 days.

And here were my three rationales for doing this:

Firstly, I had noticed an alarming increase in my screen time, some days up to 3 hours! And I work full-time at the hospital! Alarming! This was probably the reason for my sleeping late or getting unnecessary delays on personal assignments.

Secondly, the incessant comparison with carefully curated online personas left me feeling inadequate and disconnected from my authentic self. I couldn’t resist comparing myself to people doing similar things to what I do.

Lastly, I yearned to rediscover the passions and hobbies that had taken a backseat to mindless scrolling. Like reading a romantic novel, for example. Or just eating steak and enjoying the flavour! I had forgotten what rice tastes like! Since I had made eating time to become scrolling time too! Pathetic!

It was time to break free from the digital chains and reevaluate my relationship with the virtual world.

So, I set three goals.

At this point, I think you must be wondering: what’s my obsession with three? Well, to state the obvious, I’m a Christian. My parents literally named me after a preacher. I know this is not a reasonable justification for being religious, but you get the point. I think in threes!

If you didn’t get the joke, don’t worry. It was a Christian joke!

GOAL 1: Reduce screen time: Delete Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and Mute WhatsApp Status updates.

GOAL 2: Improve focus and productivity: Utilize the extra time to concentrate on personal and professional goals.

GOAL 3: Strengthen real-life connections: Prioritize quality time with friends and family - modified! I planned to call my parents and siblings and friends, “frequently”, and visit them pro re nata!

The journey was on

Week 1 was by far the hardest week.

I found myself increasingly aware of the deeply ingrained habit of reaching for my phone whenever I had a spare moment.

Whether it was waiting for my uploads to complete, standing in line at the grocery store, or even during short breaks at work, my hand subconsciously gravitated towards my phone.

This reflexive behaviour highlighted just how automatic and pervasive social media had become in my life.

I also noticed how often I used social media as a form of distraction or escape from boredom or stress.

Without it, I became more attuned to my thoughts and emotions, learning to confront and address them directly rather than seeking temporary relief through scrolling.

This initial phase of self-awareness opened my eyes to the extent of my reliance on social media and laid the foundation for deeper introspection in the weeks to come.

One of the most significant *challenges* during the first week was coping with the Fear of Missing Out (FOMO). Accustomed to constantly being updated on the lives of others through social media, especially the events and memes of WhatsApp statuses, I worried that disconnecting would lead to isolation and exclusion from social circles.

As the week progressed, I was astounded by the amount of free time that emerged from disconnecting from social media.

Moments that were once occupied by endless scrolling were now available for more fulfilling pursuits. This newfound time became an opportunity to explore neglected passions and hobbies.

So, I bought five books to read. Gave myself a pat on the back, literally, after I finished MJ Demarco’s Millionaire Fastlane in 4 days!

Weeks 2 and 3 were the weeks for strengthening relationships with close friends and families online.

A thoughtful message or making a phone call to family and old friends sparked conversations that were far more meaningful than a simple like or comment on a social media post.

As I immersed myself in face-to-face interactions, I noticed a significant positive impact on my mental well-being. Genuine laughter, warm hugs, and sincere conversations brought a sense of joy and contentment that virtual interactions couldn't replicate.

By Week 4, I had grown accustomed to not checking my phone. I remember, on one of the days, I put my phone on silent and didn’t check it for two days!

As the 30-day social media detox came to a close, I faced a crucial decision - whether to rejoin the virtual world or continue my journey of limited digital presence.

This was an opportune moment for self-reflection and evaluation. I assessed my feelings towards social media, considering the positive and negative aspects it brought into my life.

While the initial desire to reconnect with social media was present, I noticed a newfound sense of independence and contentment that had emerged during the detox. I decided that a mindful and balanced approach was essential to maintain the benefits of my detox experience.

And so, by mid-week 3, I decided to become more active on LinkedIn . To try out the professional side of social media as a replacement for the more glamorous Instagram or Facebook. And I started noticing some benefits to this too. My following on LinkedIn increased, my connections increased, and I purposed to continue doing what I love – writing!

So, what are the key learning points from this?

First of all, thank God for birthdays! I wouldn’t have conjured up enough motivation to do this, had it not been for my lack-of-better-things-to-gift-myself for my birthday.

But seriously, here are the THREE things I can tell you from my experience. Three, haha. Why not?

1. Disconnecting from social media creates more time for meaningful activities and personal growth.
2. FOMO is real, but it won’t kill you. It will just make you stagnate, doing stupid things over and over again, until you’re old and useless, and bored – having not set your life in order.
3. Try it out. See if you can manage it. If your work is based on social media, then modify the challenge to suit your circumstances. I'm sure you'll love the experience. As did I!

So, what next?

The social apps stay deleted, and statuses muted! I got to finish another of Dale Carnegie's!

See you in the comments!

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